<![CDATA[This research aimed to know the effect of audio-visual towards student’s learning activities and understanding of the concept. Samples were VIIG and VIIH chosen by cluster random sampling. Research design was pretest-postest non equivalent. The quantitative data were understanding of the concept was gotten from the average of pretest, postest score and N-gain be analyzed using T-test and U-test. The qualitative data were student learning activities data’s and questionnaire responses were analyzed descriptively. The results showed that the students learning activities increased in every aspect. Aspect of asking questions (80.56%); provide opinions (72.22%); cooperate with friends (78.47%); group discussion activities (76.39%); answering questions (79.17%). The used of audio-visual equipment can enhance students understanding of concepts with an average 45.83 pre-test; 81.25 post-test and 64.64 N-Gain. Thereby, the used of audio-visual media in the subject characteristics of living organism have a significant effect to improved learning activities and students understanding of the concept. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui pengaruh penggunaan media audio-visual terhadap aktivitas dan pemahaman konsep siswa. Sampel penelitian siswa kelas VIIG dan VIIH dipilih secara cluster random sampling. Desain penelitian adalah pretes-postes non ekuivalen. Data kuantitatif berupa hasil pemahaman konsep diperoleh dari rata-rata nilai pretes, postes dan N-gain dianalisis menggunakan uji-t dan uji U. Data kualitatif berupa data aktivitas dan angket tanggapan siswa dianalisis secara deskriptif. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan aktivitas belajar siswa mengalami peningkatan setiap aspek. Aspek mengajukan pertanyaan (80,56%); memberikan pendapat (72,22%); bekerjasama dengan teman (78,47%); melakukan kegiatan diskusi kelompok (76,39%); menjawab pertanyaan (79,17%). Penggunaan media audio-visual dapat meningkatkan pemahaman konsep siswa dengan rata-rata pretes 45,83; postes 81,25 dan N-gain 64,64. Dengan demikian, penggunaan media audio-visual pada materi Ciri-ciri Makhluk Hidup berpengaruh signifikan terhadap peningkatan aktivitas belajar dan pemahaman konsep siswa. Kata kunci : aktivitas belajar, audio-visual, ciri-ciri makhluk hidup, pemahaman konsep]]>
