Digital comics in primary education: A literature review on reading literacy and local wisdom integration (2020–2025)
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.21831/jpip.v17i1.91035Keywords:
digital comic, local wisdom, primary education, reading literacyAbstract
Reading literacy skills are a fundamental competency for elementary school students. However, various surveys indicate that the level of reading literacy in Indonesia remains low. This situation underscores the need for innovative learning media that are engaging, contextual, and aligned with the characteristics of the digital generation. This study aims to investigate trends in the use of digital comics in primary education—particularly for improving reading literacy and integrating local wisdom—during the 2020–2025 period. The study employs a Systematic Literature Review (SLR) guided by PRISMA methodology, encompassing the stages of identification, screening, eligibility, and inclusion. Data were gathered from Google Scholar, Semantic Scholar, and Crossref. From an initial 3,358 articles, a final selection of 27 relevant articles was obtained. Analysis was conducted via content analysis and bibliometric techniques using VOSviewer 1.6.19. The results show a significant increase in publications on e-comics from 2020 to 2023. Digital comics were found to be effective in enhancing students’ reading comprehension, motivation, and character development through the integration of local cultural values. They also have the potential to serve as an innovative and contextually relevant, culture-based multimodal learning medium.
References
Afifah, N. U., Purwati, P. D., & Widiyatmoko, A. (2025). Development of Basic Literacy E-Comic Based on Local Wisdom Efforts to Improve the Skills of Reading Narrative Texts in Elementary School Class. International Journal of Research and Review, 12(1), 476–484. https://doi.org/10.52403/ijrr.20250156
Alhamad, K., Manches, A., & McGeown, S. (2024). Augmented reality books: in-depth insights into children’s reading engagement. Frontiers in Psychology, 15(August), 1–12. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1423163
Ananta, P., Erma Yanti, T., Fitri Yantu, P., & Rinanti Ito, P. (2023). Upaya Meningkatkan Minat Membaca Pada Anak Kelas 4 SD. Jurnal Bintang Pendidikan Indonesia, 1(3), 111–125. https://doi.org/10.55606/jubpi.v1i3.1611
Anesa, S., Jenny Indrastoeti Siti, P., & Muhammad Ismail, S. (2020, 2020/02/06). The Effectiveness of the Use of Digital-Based Educational Comic Media in Improving Reading Interest in Elementary School Students. Proceedings of the 3rd International Conference on Learning Innovation and Quality Education (ICLIQE 2019),
Atmojo, I. R. W., Chumdari, C., & Adi, F. P. (2024). Efforts to Enhance Scientific Literacy in Elementary School Students Through Optimizing the Use of Digital Comics in Natural Science Materials in Elementary Schools.
Belda-Medina, J. (2024). Inclusive Education through Digital Comic Creation in Higher Learning Environments. Social Sciences, 13(5). https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci13050272
Berube, L., Priego, E., Wisdom, S., Cooke, I., & Makri, S. (2024). “Moving with the story”: the haptics of reader experience and response to digital comics. New Review of Hypermedia and Multimedia, 30(1–2), 94–113. https://doi.org/10.1080/13614568.2024.2374291
Consorti, F., Fiorucci, S., Martucci, G., & Lai, S. (2023). Graphic Novels and Comics in Undergraduate and Graduate Medical Students Education: A Scoping Review. European Journal of Investigation in Health, Psychology and Education, 13(10), 2262–2275. https://doi.org/10.3390/ejihpe13100160
Csachová, S., & Kidonová, D. (2022). Exploring Potential of Sketchnoting as a Tool for Constructing Learner´s Knowledge in Geography. European Journal of Educational Research, 11(2), 859–872.
Damayanti, L., Wulandari, D., Busyairi, A., Wadiyo, W., Joko, T., & Sumartiningsih, S. (2024). The Effectiveness of E-Comic Media Based on Scientific Literacy for Teaching Single and Mixed Substance Materials. Unnes Science Education Journal, 13(3), 205–214.
Hadjar, A., Grecu, A., Scharf, J., de Moll, F., Morinaj, J., & Hascher, T. (2021). Changes in school alienation profiles among secondary school students and the role of teaching style: Results from a longitudinal study in Luxembourg and Switzerland. International Journal of Educational Research, 105. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijer.2020.101697
Harras, K. A. (2019). Hakikat dan Proses Membaca (Vol. 1). Universitas Terbuka.
Istiq’faroh, N., Rabia, S. F., Abidin, Z., Hendratno, H., Wibowo, A. H., & Hoang, M. T. T. (2024). Local Wisdom-Based Articulate Storyline Application: A New Way to Improve Reading Literacy for Elementary School Students in the West Papua Region. Journal of Innovation in Educational and Cultural Research, 5(2), 180–187. https://doi.org/10.46843/jiecr.v5i2.1114
Li, C. (2024). A Study on the Impact of Digital Picture Book Reading on Children’s Reading Literacy. Communications in Humanities Research, 34(1), 5–9. https://doi.org/10.54254/2753-7064/34/20240078
Li, Y. (2024). The effects of digital picture books on children’s reading comprehension and multimodal literacy: A meta-analytic review. Frontiers in Psychology, 15.
Loudoun, F. M., Boyle, B., & Larsson-Lund, M. (2024). Play value of digital play spaces: Children’s voices. International Journal of Child-Computer Interaction, 40. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijcci.2024.100649
Mayer, R. E. (2024). The Past, Present, and Future of the Cognitive Theory of Multimedia Learning. Educational Psychology Review, 36(1), 1–25. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10648-023-09842-1
Muhassin, M., Annisa, J., & Hidayati, D. A. (2021). The Impact of Fix Up Strategy on Indonesian EFL Learners’ Reading Comprehension. International Journal of Instruction, 14(2), 253–270. https://doi.org/10.29333/iji.2021.14215a
Murti, D. K., Gunarhadi, & Winarno. (2020). Development of Educational Comic with Local Wisdom to Foster Morality of Elementary School Students: A Need Analysis. International Journal of Educational Methodology, 6(2), 337–343. https://doi.org/10.12973/ijem.6.2.337
Nurani, D. C., Suganda, M. V. A., Budiansyah, Adikara, F. S., & Miranti, M. (2024, 2024/11/25). Exploratory Study of Storyboard-Based Digital Comics in Primary School. Proceedings of the 7th International Conference on Learning Innovation and Quality Education (ICLIQE 2023),
OECD. (2019). PISA 2018 insights and interpretations. OECD Publishing.
Page, M. J., McKenzie, J. E., Bossuyt, P. M., Boutron, I., Hoffmann, T. C., Mulrow, C. D., Shamseer, L., Tetzlaff, J. M., Akl, E. A., Brennan, S. E., Chou, R., Glanville, J., Grimshaw, J. M., Hróbjartsson, A., Lalu, M. M., Li, T., Loder, E. W., Mayo-Wilson, E., McDonald, S., & Moher, D. (2021). The PRISMA 2020 statement: An updated guideline for reporting systematic reviews. BMJ, 372. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.n71
Rasamimanana, M., Mizzi, R., Melmi, J. B., Saffi, S., & Colé, P. (2025). Is Comprehension in Comics More Effective Than in Traditional Texts in Skilled Adult Readers? An Eye Movement-Based Study. Cognitive Science, 49(7). https://doi.org/10.1111/cogs.70081
Rodrigues-Silva, J., & Alsina, Á. (2023). STEM/STEAM in Early Childhood Education for Sustainability (ECEfS): A Systematic Review. Sustainability (Switzerland), 15(4). https://doi.org/10.3390/su15043721
Saputri, D. A., & Sukartiningsih, W. (2024). Analisis Keterampilan Membaca Pemahaman dalam Konteks Implementasi Program Literasi Sekolah. Jurnal Penelitian Pendidikan Guru Sekolah Dasar, 12(2), 29–39.
Saputri, S. A., Lestari, R., & Angelika, M. (2024). The Effectiveness Of Use Of Digital Comic Media In Increasing Primary School Students Interest In Learning Science: A Systematic Literature Review. International Journal of Education and Learning Assessment, 1(1), 31–41.
Sumarwati, Suryanto, E., & Hadiyah. (2023). Educational Comics Based-Local Folktales and Its Effects on Reading Literacy of Rural Primary School Students.
Supiatman, L., Aryni, Y., Cantika, A., Nasution, R. A., & Hardiyanti, J. (2025). Integrasi bahan ajar berbasis kearifan lokal kabupaten asahan dalam mengajar keterampilan membaca pendahuluan. Jurnal Pemberdayaan Sosial dan Teknologi Masyarakat, 5(1), 89–95. https://doi.org/10.54314/jpstm.v5i1.3089
Suprapto, N., Nisa’, K., Sya’roni, I., & Adam, A. S. (2024). Scientific mapping and production analysis of digital comic, animation, and digital cartoon in education. Humanities and Social Sciences Communications, 11(1), 1–13. https://doi.org/10.1057/s41599-024-03513-4
Susanto, H., Setiawan, D., Mahanal, S., Firdaus, Z., & Kusmayadi, C. T. (2024). Development and evaluation of e-comic nervous system app to enhance self-directed student learning. JPBI (Jurnal Pendidikan Biologi Indonesia), 10(1), 143–153. https://doi.org/10.22219/jpbi.v10i1.31451
Wang, Y., Mao, Y., Lee, L.-H., Ni, S.-T., Wang, Z., Gu, X., & Hui, P. (2024). Metabook: A Mobile-to-Headset Pipeline for 3D Story Book Creation in Augmented Reality. Proceedings of Make sure to enter the correct conference title from your rights confirmation emai (Conference acronym ’XX), New York, NY, US.
Wewengkang, N. D., Rahmat, R., Rohim, R., Saefuddin, S., Ramadhan, I., & Al-Amin, A.-A. (2024). Development of E-Comic Teaching Materials with a local Wisdom Theme to Enhance High School Student’s Historical Awareness. AL-ISHLAH: Jurnal Pendidikan, 16(4), 4323–4335.
Widyawati, A., Kuswanto, H., & Prodjosantoso, A. K. (2024). E-Comic Based on SETS: A Digital Learning Media to Improve Student’s Character and Critical Thinking Skills. International Journal of Religion, 5(2), 47–56. https://doi.org/10.61707/mwpgtt04
Wulandari, A., & Hapsari, T. P. R. N. (2020). Local Wisdom Based Education Comicsas a Media for Student Literacy Learning. Prosiding ICoISSE,
Wulandari, A. I., & Sulasmono, B. S. (2020). Pengaruh Penggunaan Pendekatan Pendidikan Matematika Realistik (PMR) Terhadap Hasil Belajar Siswa Sekolah Dasar. Jurnal Pendidikan dan Pengajaran Guru Sekolah Dasar (JPPGuseda), 03(01), 78–82. https://doi.org/10.31004/basicedu.v5i2.878
Zheng, H., Jung, E., Li, T., & Yoon, M. (2022). Effects of Segmentation and Self-Explanation Designs on Cognitive Load in Instructional Videos. Contemporary Educational Technology, 14(2). https://doi.org/10.30935/CEDTECH/11522
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
Citation Check
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Kadek Sintya Pratiwi, Agung Tri Prasetya, Arif Widiyatmoko, Bambang Subali
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
![Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License](/index.php/jpip/manager/setup/<a%20rel="license"%20href="http:/creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/"><img%20alt="Lisensi%20Creative%20Commons"%20style="border-width:0"%20src="https:/i.creativecommons.org/l/by-sa/4.0/88x31.png"%20/></a><br%20/>Ciptaan%20disebarluaskan%20di%20bawah%20<a%20rel="license"%20href="http:/creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/">Lisensi%20Creative%20Commons%20Atribusi-BerbagiSerupa%204.0%20Internasional</a>.){kind=link}