An in-depth study of the current status: conditions and directions of classroom-based research conducted by teachers under Suratthani Primary Education Service area office 1: a whole-school approach in critical perspectives
Abstract:
This research aimed to thoroughly study the current status: conditions and directions of classroom-based research conducted by teachers in the schools, under Suratthani Primary Education Service Area Office 1, that failed to meet standards for accreditation, according to the External Quality Assurance (Round 3) (Academic Years 2011-2012). This study was conducted based on a whole-school approach in critical perspectives. The research instruments were 1) a questionnaire to study the current status of classroom-based research conducted by teachers of the schools that failed to meet standards for accreditation, 2) document analysis, and 3) an interview form for school administrators, teachers, parents/community to determine the directions of classroom-based research. Population means (), alpha (), and percentages were used for data analysis.
The main findings were as follows: 1) according to the analysis on current conditions of classroom-based research conducted by teachers, it was revealed that 1.1) the overall condition that the school administrators promoted teacher participation in classroom-based research was at a moderate level (= 3.31, = 0.57), and Infrastructure and Public Relations was rated at the highest rank (= 3.34, = 0.54); 1.2) the overall condition that the teachers conducted classroom-based research was at a moderate level ( = 3.30, = 0.48), and Development of Methods or Innovations was rated at the highest rank ( = 3.34, = 0.53); 1.3) the overall classroom-based research promoted by school administrators or practiced by teachers as perceived
classroom-based research promoted by school administrators or practiced by teachers as perceived by students was at a moderate level ( = 3.27, = 0.70), and Teaching and Learning Management by Teachers was rated at the highest rank ( = 3.28, = 0.69); and 1.4) the overall promotion of classroom-based research learning as perceived by parents/community was at a moderate level (= 3.26, = 0.56), and Classroom-Based Research Instruction Monitored by Schools was rated at the highest rank ( = 3.37, = 0.65).
2) From document analysis, it was found that 2.1) in terms of plans to develop quality education, the schools equipped those involved with knowledge and understanding of how to make the quality education development plans by organizing workshops which was the activity they did most. For the implementation of the plans, the schools prepared the annual action plans with projects in correspond to the quality education development plans. Concerning plan evaluation and review, the schools evaluated satisfaction of those involved towards the completed projects most; 2.2) in terms of learning management plans, most teachers prepared learning objectives, but not including all three domains: cognitive, affective, and psychomotor. In addition, there was a small number of learning activities for students to practice to enhance their aptitudes and self-learning. However, the teachers arranged learning environment and atmosphere encouraging motivation and reinforcement for students to learn most. For measurement and evaluation, the students kept their portfolios and created works by themselves most. Regarding their teaching records, the teachers kept records of their teaching performance, student learning, problems and solutions: and 2.3) the total number of classroom-based research conducted by the teachers after attending the workshop on Classroom-based Research organized by the researcher increased from 10 in 2011 to 15 in 2012 and to 35 in 2013.
3) From the analysis and synthesis of the directions of classroombased research conducted by teachers, it was disclosed that 3.1) the group of school administrators suggested that the directions should be set under the topics of policy setting, resource and fund planning, budget allocation, and classroom-based research publication; 3.2) the group of teachers stated that the directions should cover capability to conduct classroom-based research and use of research findings for the improvement of instruction; and 3.3) the group of parents/community viewed that the directions should concern learning management promotion with the focus on policy setting and budgeting.