DEVELOPMENT OF A BLENDED TRAINING PROGRAM TO ENHANCE DIGITAL COMPETENCE FOR RAJABHAT UNIVERSITY FACULTY MEMBERS

Abstract

This research and development study aimed to: 1) Analyze and synthesize digital competence for Rajabhat University faculty members; 2) Assess needs for digital competence enhancement; 3) Develop a blended training program; and 4) Evaluate the effectiveness of the developed program. The samples were classified by research phase. In the needs assessment phase, 100 faculty members from Rajabhat Universities in Southern Thailand were selected through stratified random sampling. In the program implementation phase, 30 faculty members from Nakhon Si Thammarat Rajabhat University were selected through voluntary sampling. The research instruments included semi-structured interviews, a needs assessment questionnaire, the blended training program, a digital competence assessment form, product rubrics, and a satisfaction questionnaire. Data were analyzed using mean, standard deviation, modified Priority Needs Index, paired-samples t-test, and Cohen’s Kappa. The findings revealed that: 1) Digital competence for Rajabhat University faculty members consisted of seven domains; 2) The Teaching and Learning domain showed the highest priority need; 3) The developed blended training program was modular in design and integrated the 70:20:10 model, work-based learning, coaching, and artificial intelligence to support the creation of digital learning artifacts. The program quality was rated at the highest level by experts; and 4) After the training, participants’ digital competence was significantly higher than before the training at the .05 level, with the mean score increasing from 3.12 to 4.28, t = 12.63, p < .05. The digital artifacts were rated at a good level, with an average Cohen’s Kappa of 0.90, and participants’ satisfaction was at the highest level, with a mean score of 4.68.