TEKOHÁ: From a Systematic Review to a Virtual Reality Environment to Teach Jesuit-Guarani Missions History in Primary Education

Abstract

Virtual Reality (VR) is a technology that enables physical immersion, sensory stimulation, and interactivity, creating experiences that mentally transport users to alternative environments. While VR has demonstrated positive outcomes in adult education, such as fostering authentic learning contexts, enhancing motivation, and improving long-term retention, its application with children remains largely unexplored. This study addresses this gap through a methodological approach structured in four stages: (i) a systematic literature review on VR in primary education; (ii) a survey and design phase involving a working group of primary school teachers; (iii) the implementation of TEKOHÁ, a virtual environment that reconstructs the Jesuit-Guarani Missions at São Miguel das Missões (Brazil); and (iv) the proposition of a dedicated teaching plan. The review, conducted according to PRISMA guidelines, analyzed 953 articles published between 2013 and 2023 and identified 128 eligible studies. Based on these findings and the working group’s insights, TEKOHÁ was designed to support history education as a compulsory component of the National Common Core Curriculum (BNCC). The next step will be to conduct a controlled experiment with fourth-year primary school students to assess the effects of using TEKOHÁ on the learning process.