UNDERSTANDING THE BENEFITS OF VIRTUAL EDUCATIONAL TOURS: A QUALITATIVE INSIGHT INTO GRADE 6 STUDENTS PERSPECTIVE IN EDUKASYON SA PAGPAPAKATAO

NAVARRO, MARIA CONITA D.

Completed 2025

ABSTRACT

This study explored the perspectives of Grade 6 students regarding their experiences with Virtual Educational Tours (VETs) integrated into Edukasyon sa Pagpapakatao (ESP) classes. Anchored in the belief that immersive, technology-driven experiences could enhance the delivery of values education, the research employed a qualitative approach using in-depth interviews and focus group discussions. A purposive sample of 38 Grade 6 students from Balanga Elementary School, who had prior exposure to VETs, participated in the study. The research aimed to understand student experiences before, during, and after the virtual tours; assess the tours’ impact on their comprehension and retention of ESP content; identify encountered challenges; and determine the perceived advantages of the intervention. Findings revealed that students found the VETs engaging, informative, and effective in helping them grasp abstract moral and ethical concepts. However, technical challenges such as internet connectivity issues and limited interactivity posed obstacles to a fully immersive learning experience. The study emphasized the significance of preparatory activities and post-tour reflective discussions in reinforcing learning outcomes. A noted limitation of the research was its confinement to a single school setting, which may limit the applicability of the findings to broader contexts. Despite this, the study provided valuable insights into the use of VETs as a complementary instructional tool aligned with DepEd Order No. 014, s. 2024 and Republic Act No. 11476. These findings may inform educators, curriculum planners, and policymakers in designing strategies that integrate virtual tools to foster critical thinking, values formation, and student engagement in character education.