Development of the Social-Based "Billiard Connect" (SBC GAME) Social Media Platform as a Guidance and Counseling Tool to Foster Students' Social Interaction

Abstract

This study aims to develop the Social Billiard Connect (SBC Game) as a guidance and counseling medium to train students’ social interaction skills. The development of this medium was motivated by the difficulties experienced by some students in communicating, cooperating, expressing opinions, and actively participating in group activities. This study employed a Research and Development (R&D) method using the 4D development model, which consists of four stages: define, design, develop, and disseminate. The research subjects consisted of one material expert, one media expert, one guidance and counseling teacher, and eight eleventh-grade students from SMA Swasta Pembangunan Nasional Medan. Data were collected through observation, interviews, and questionnaires. The data were analyzed using descriptive quantitative techniques by calculating the percentages of expert validation results and user responses. The results showed that the SBC Game obtained a feasibility score of 100% from the media expert and 83% from the material expert, both of which were categorized as highly feasible. The practicality test results indicated a score of 98% based on the guidance and counseling teacher’s assessment and 90% based on students’ responses, both of which were categorized as highly practical. Therefore, the Social Billiard Connect game is considered feasible and practical for use as a supporting medium in guidance and counseling services, particularly group guidance, to provide interactive experiences that help students practice communication, cooperation, mutual respect, and active participation. However, further effectiveness testing involving a larger number of participants is needed to determine the impact of this medium on improving students’ social interaction skills.