Abstract:
The purposes of this research study were to 1) study lifelong learner factors for primary students, 2) develop a model for the causal relationship of factors affecting lifelong learners attributes of primary students, and 3) propose guidelines for promoting lifelong learners attributes of primary students. Research methodology being used was a mixed - methods approach. The samples of this research were 2,990 which were selected randomly from 3,313 of sixth grade students in primary schools under the Office of the Basic Education Commission (OBEC) in Bangkok. Moreover, there were more informants which are related specialists, were comprised of 15 of school administrators, teachers and parents as the key informant, and 11 of experts. Data collection were conducted by using the checklist and rating scale questionnaires, semi-structured interview schedule and focus group discussion. The data were analyzed by using descriptive statistics, second-order confirmatory factor analysis and causal factors affecting by LISREL program and content analysis techniques. The results were as follows: 1) The lifelong learner factors for primary students consist of 5 components, which sorted from the highest to lowest component weight values: Learning Ability, Learning Motivation, Knowledge Acquisition, Communication Ability, and Learning Attitude. 2) The causal relationship model of factors affecting lifelong learners attributes of primary students was congruent with empirical data. The data analysis revealed the validation of fitted model yielded a Chi-square/df = 1.30, p=.08, GFI=1.00, AGFI=0.99, CFI=1.00, RMSEA=0.01 and SRMR=0.00) and the causal factor maximum directly influenced to the lifelong learners attributes was student factor, and the next were school factor and family factor respectively. 3) The guidelines for promoting lifelong learners attributes of primary students consist of 4 approaches: Guidelines for promoting students to be 1) future-oriented person, 2) self-esteem person, 3) self-awareness person and 4) internal locus of control person. Each guideline will be conducted by school administrators, teachers and parents on their own roles to promote the student to be lifelong learners.