Enhancing Communication Skills and Creative Product Development in Disaster Mitigation Education through Project-Based Learning and Local Wisdom: A Case Study on Peatland Ecosystems
1)Yustina, 2) Resma Wahyuni, 3) Saberina Hasibuan.

1)2)Biology Department , Faculty of Teacher Training and Education, FKIP -Universitas Riau
3)Disaster Management Department, Facylty of Fisheris and Marine Science, Universitas Riau

Abstract

This study investigates the development of media product creativity (educational videos) and communication skills of first-semester students at the University of Riau, utilizing Project-Based Learning (PjBL) and local wisdom in disaster mitigation education, focusing on peatland ecosystems. The descriptive research, conducted from August to December 2025, involved 40 students enrolled in environmental science and disaster mitigation courses. The students created video projects as part of their coursework, addressing the topic of forest and land fires (Karhutla) through local wisdom-based educational materials. Data were collected via observation sheets assessing three dimensions of video content: 1) subject matter, 2) design, and 3) graphics and language, using a 4-point scale. Additionally, communication skills were evaluated across six aspects: speaking, listening, writing, non-verbal communication, adaptability, and technology use, each with five indicators.
The results indicated that students exhibited a high level of creativity, with an average score of 90, categorized as ^creative.^ The design aspect of the videos received the highest rating (95), followed by content (93), while the graphics and language aspect had the lowest score (82), categorized as ^creative.^ Communication skills showed a varying range, with the highest skill being speaking (78.67) and the lowest being listening (57.4). Overall, communication skills averaged 70.45, classified as ^good.^
The study concludes that PjBL and QASE (Question, Answer, Share, Evaluate) methods, supported by video as a learning product, are highly effective in enhancing both students^ communication competencies and creativity. The integration of local wisdom into educational content offers significant potential for disaster mitigation education while fostering interactive and collaborative learning environments.

Keywords: Peatland, Local Wisdom, Project-Based Learning (PjBL), Creative Thinking, Communication Skills

Topic: Society 5.0 in Science Education and Language Learning Science