<![CDATA[Students' low interest in history learning due to the lack of innovative and contextual media remains a significant challenge in secondary education. This study addresses this gap by investigating the potential of a locally-developed virtual tour as an instructional tool. This research aims to examine the effect of using a Virtual Tour learning media of the Old Post Office Cultural Heritage Building in Pontianak on the historical learning interest of 11th-grade students. A quantitative approach with a quasi-experimental posttest-only nonequivalent control group design was employed. The study involved 70 students from SMAN 5 Pontianak, selected through cluster random sampling, and divided equally into an experimental class (using Virtual Tour media) and a control class (using conventional PowerPoint). Data were collected using a validated questionnaire and analyzed using an independent sample t-test. The findings revealed a significant difference in learning interest between the two groups. The experimental class demonstrated a significantly higher level of interest (82.92%, "very high") compared to the control class (78.83%, "high"). The t-test yielded a significance value of < 0.05, confirming the statistical significance. Furthermore, the effect size (Cohen's d = 1.68) indicated a large practical impact. The integration of a locally-contextualized Virtual Tour, built on the Panoee platform and delivered via standard projectors, proved highly effective in enhancing students' interest and active participation. This research contributes a novel, accessible model for integrating local cultural heritage into history education through immersive technology.]]>
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