Applying Contextual Teaching and Learning With Virtual Reality to Improve History Learning Motivation and Achievement Among Class XE7 Students

Abstrak

This classroom action research investigated the implementation of the Contextual Teaching and Learning (CTL) model supported by Virtual Reality (VR) media featuring Hindu-Buddhist temple heritage in Java to improve history learning motivation and cognitive achievement among 35 students in class XE7 at SMA Negeri 1 Karanganyar during the 2022/2023 academic year. The study consisted of a preliminary stage and two action cycles, each involving planning, action, observation, and reflection. Data were collected through interviews, observations, questionnaires, and tests and analyzed using critical descriptive and comparative descriptive approaches. The findings showed that the mean attainment of motivation indicators increased from 66.95% in the preliminary stage to 78.32% in Cycle I and 80.30% in Cycle II. Cognitive achievement also increased, with the class mean rising from 50.71 to 76.71 and then 85.29. The proportion of students meeting the school’s minimum mastery criterion of 70 increased from 23% to 89% and finally 100%. The findings indicate that integrating CTL with VR created a more contextual, concrete, and engaging learning experience while supporting students’ opportunities to observe, explore, discuss, and construct historical understanding. The study therefore positions CTL supported by accessible VR as a practical alternative for addressing low motivation and achievement in history learning within the context of this classroom action research.