QualiSearch - Volume 1, Issue 6

Editorial Note
Von L. Sarino, PhD
Editor-in-Chief
QualiSearch Journal of Educational Research and Practice
November 2025 | Volume 1, Issue 6 | ISSN 3082-5636

It is with great honor and a continued sense of purpose that I present the November 2025 issue of the QualiSearch Journal of Educational Research and Practice (QJERP), Volume 1, Issue 6. As we conclude QJERP’s first full publication year, this edition reinforces our commitment to nurturing a research culture that is rigorous, inclusive, and responsive to the evolving needs of the educational landscape.

The contributions in this issue reflect a rich tapestry of ideas and inquiries emerging from diverse educational settings. They address pressing themes such as instructional innovation, learner well-being, culturally grounded pedagogy, school leadership, and the transformative role of research in shaping equitable and sustainable learning environments. Each article embodies our vision of scholarship that not only deepens academic discourse but also elevates the lived experiences of teachers, learners, and communities.

As Editor-in-Chief, I remain steadfast in positioning QJERP as a credible, accessible, and forward-looking platform for knowledge creation and dissemination. Our editorial processes continue to uphold the highest standards of scholarly excellence, guided by national and international frameworks including the Commission on Higher Education policies, the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, and the long-term national aspirations embodied in AmBisyon Natin 2040. These anchor points ensure that our published works are both globally aligned and contextually meaningful.

This milestone would not have been possible without the collaborative efforts of our editorial board, reviewers, and contributors who consistently demonstrate dedication and integrity. I extend my deepest gratitude to them, and to our growing readership whose engagement strengthens the journal’s role as a trusted source of insight, reflection, and inspiration.

As you explore the research featured in this issue, I invite you to consider how each study can inform practice, stimulate new directions for inquiry, and contribute to our shared aspiration of building inclusive, resilient, and transformative educational systems. May this November 2025 issue spark dialogue, foster innovation, and nurture a deeper commitment to research that enriches both policy and practice.

QualiSearch Journal of Educational Research and Practice
November 2025 | Volume 1, Issue 6 | ISSN 3082-5636

Utilization of Digital Tools in Teaching General Mathematics and Its Influence on Student Engagement

Bong Laurence S. Quiton

University of Perpetual Help System- DALTA, Las Piñas City, Philippines

bonglaurencequiton08@gmail.com

Abstract

This study examined the utilization of digital tools in teaching General Mathematics and its relationship with student engagement in selected public secondary schools in the Division of Occidental Mindoro. Using a descriptive-correlational research design, the study involved 105 General Mathematics teachers and 200 senior high school students, employing researcher-developed and validated survey instruments. Findings revealed that teachers demonstrated a very high level of digital tool utilization across instructional delivery, lesson preparation, assessment and feedback, student collaboration, and classroom management. Students likewise reported high levels of behavioral, emotional, and cognitive engagement, reflecting positive learning experiences in technology-supported mathematics classrooms. Differences in digital tool utilization across demographic variables showed that sex was not a significant factor except in the assessment and feedback domain, where male teachers reported higher utilization. Teaching position, however, produced significant differences across all domains, indicating that professional rank influenced the depth of digital integration. Correlational analysis established a significant relationship between digital tool utilization and student engagement, suggesting that purposeful technology integration enhances participation, motivation, and cognitive investment. These results underscore the value of sustained professional development, equitable access to digital resources, and strengthened technological support systems across schools. The study highlights the potential of digital tools to enrich mathematics instruction and offers evidence-based directions for improving teaching practices and student learning experiences.

Keywords: digital tools, General Mathematics, student engagement, instructional technology, technology integration

https://www.qualisearchjournal.org/archive/volume-1-issue-6-november-2025/utilization-of-digital-tools-in-teaching-general-mathematics

Unveiling the Lived Experiences of Chinese Graduates in One of the Higher Education Institutions in the Philippines

Xuejia Chen

University of Perpetual Help System- DALTA, Las Piñas City, Philippines

1900113876@qq.com

Dr. Raymond B. Magno

University of Perpetual Help System- DALTA, Las Piñas City, Philippines

raymond.magno@perpetual.edu.ph

Abstract

This phenomenological study explored the lived experiences of Chinese graduates who completed their education in one of the higher education institutions in the Philippines. Anchored in Cross-Cultural Adaptation Theory, the study sought to understand how these students navigated linguistic, academic, social, and cultural challenges while pursuing their studies in a foreign environment. Ten Chinese graduates were selected through purposive sampling and interviewed using semi-structured guides. Data were transcribed through Otter.ai and analyzed using Braun and Clarke’s thematic analysis to identify emergent patterns of meaning. The findings revealed that the participants’ experiences were shaped by a complex interplay of struggle and growth, highlighting eight major themes: language as a gatekeeper to integration and success, negotiating academic expectations, navigating belonging in a foreign culture, cross-cultural encounters and identity awareness, emotional resilience and self-reliance, empowerment through transnational experience, the role of social support, and retrospective learning. Participants described studying abroad as a transformative journey that reshaped their identities, strengthened their resilience, and broadened their worldviews. The study underscores the importance of institutional support systems, intercultural mentorship, and inclusive learning environments to enhance the adjustment and well-being of international students. By foregrounding the authentic voices of Chinese graduates, this research contributes to a more humanized understanding of internationalization in Philippine higher education and offers insights for policy development and future studies on cross-cultural adaptation.

Keywords: Chinese graduates, lived experiences, cross-cultural adaptation, internationalization, Philippine higher education

https://www.qualisearchjournal.org/archive/volume-1-issue-6-november-2025/lived-experiences-of-chinese-graduates

Life in a Machine: Lived Experiences of Hemodialysis Center-Based Patients in Eastern Visayas and Their Concept of Care

Rheafel Azcarraga Dagandan

University of Perpetual Help System- DALTA, Las Piñas City, Philippines

dagandanrheafel@gmail.com

Abstract

Chronic kidney disease remains a growing public health concern in the Philippines, with an increasing number of patients dependent on long-term hemodialysis for survival. While hemodialysis sustains life, it also profoundly reshapes patients’ physical, emotional, social, and existential realities. This study aimed to explore the lived experiences of center-based hemodialysis patients in Eastern Visayas and to examine how these experiences inform their personal concept of care. Guided by a constructivist paradigm and anchored in the biopsychosocial model, the study employed a qualitative descriptive phenomenological design. Ten adult patients undergoing regular outpatient hemodialysis at a private dialysis center in Tacloban City participated in in-depth, semi-structured interviews. Data were analyzed using Colaizzi’s phenomenological method. Findings revealed five interrelated themes: redefining normal life through fatigue, role loss, and lifestyle realignment; experiencing care as responsiveness, presence, and gentle communication; relying on family as the first and most enduring line of care; perceiving the dialysis center as a micro-system of safety, flow, and reliability; and developing personal coping repertoires through small tasks, moments of joy, and emotional boundary-setting. Across narratives, participants defined care not merely as technical treatment but as relational, humane, and consistent support that affirmed dignity amid chronic dependency on life-sustaining technology. The study highlights the need for holistic, patient-centered, and culturally responsive dialysis care that integrates physical treatment with psychosocial, relational, and family-oriented support. These findings may inform nursing practice, institutional care design, and policy initiatives aimed at improving the quality of life of individuals living “life in a machine.

Keywords: hemodialysis; lived experiences; patient-centered care; phenomenology; chronic kidney disease

https://www.qualisearchjournal.org/archive/volume-1-issue-6-november-2025/life-in-a-machine