THABIEA : JOURNAL OF NATURAL SCIENCE TEACHING
Vol 9, No 1 (2026): THABIEA: JOURNAL OF NATURAL SCIENCE TEACHING

Immersing Local Wisdom: Ethnopedagogy-Based Virtual Reality within Research-Based Learning for Regenerative STEM Education

Ariyatun Ariyatun (Universitas Negeri Jakarta)
Mukhlis Mukhlis (Universitas PGRI Semarang, Semarang)
Ika Septiana (Universitas PGRI Semarang, Semarang)
Wijayanto Wijayanto (Universitas PGRI Semarang, Semarang)



Article Info

Publish Date
29 Jun 2026

Abstract

STEM education has long been criticized for prioritizing technical proficiency over socio-ecological responsibility. Regenerative education addresses this gap by aiming to restore and renew socio-ecological relationships, making it essential for equipping students to navigate complex global challenges. This study investigates the potential of Ethnopedagogy-based Virtual Reality (Ethno-VR) within a Research-Based Learning (RBL) framework as a pathway toward regenerative education. Using a quantitative comparative design, perspectives of 72 undergraduate students from Universitas Negeri Jakarta, Indonesia 32 from science programs and 40 from non-science programs were examined across four constructs reflecting core dimensions of regenerative education: learning engagement, cultural understanding, ecological awareness, and technology integration. Data were collected via structured questionnaire and analyzed using two-way ANOVA. Science students showed higher learning engagement (M = 21.100; SD = 2.654) than non-science students (M = 18.615; SD = 3.709), approaching significance (F = 4.119; p = 0.052). Cultural understanding was marginally higher among science students (M = 18.800) and female students (M = 18.444), though not significantly (F = 3.613; p = 0.067). Ecological awareness was significantly higher in science students (M = 17.860; F = 3.013; p = 0.047), the only dimension yielding a statistically significant result. Non-science and female students reported greater appreciation for technology integration (F = 3.023; p = 0.052). Gender was not analyzed separately in other dimensions due to the absence of significant interaction effects. These findings confirm that Ethno-VR strengthens cognitive, affective, and ecological dimensions of learning — as evidenced by significant ecological awareness outcomes and consistent near-significant trends — though its impact varies by academic background and gender. This study underscores the value of locally grounded immersive technology in RBL for advancing holistic regenerative education.

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Journal Info

Abbrev

Thabiea

Publisher

Subject

Description

The Thabiea: Journal of Natural Science Teaching focused on the results of the study and review of the literature in the scope of natural science education and natural sciences in the world. This journal publishes original articles on the latest issues and trends occurring internationally in science ...