Enhancing Critical Thinking Through Community Immersion: Evidence from Grade 8 Araling Panlipunan Students

Critical thinking is recognized as one of the essential competencies learners must develop to address real-world challenges. This study investigated the effectiveness of community immersion as an instructional approach in enhancing the critical thinking skills of Grade 8 students in Araling Panlipunan at Mountain Province General Comprehensive High School during School Year 2023–2024. Using a quasi-experimental pretest-posttest control group design, two Grade 8 classes participated. The experimental group engaged in structured community immersion activities integrated into classroom instruction, while the control group received conventional classroom-based instruction. Data were collected through written and oral assessments, rubrics, classroom observations, interviews, and focus group discussions. Statistical analysis using mean, standard deviation, t-tests, ANCOVA, and effect sizes revealed significant improvements in the experimental group. Qualitative themes highlighted authentic connection, confidence in expression, and problem-solving mindset. Findings demonstrate that community immersion provides authentic learning experiences that strengthen students’ analytical, reflective, and problem-solving abilities. Integrating community immersion into Social Studies instruction is an effective strategy for promoting critical thinking and meaningful learning among secondary school students.

community immersion, critical thinking, experiential learning, Araling Panlipunan

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