THE DEVELOPMENT OF A LEARNING COMMUNITY MODEL TO ENHANCE OCCUPATIONAL SKILLS OF LOWER SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENT AT BANPONGKET SCHOOL UNDER PHETCHABURI PRIMARY EDUCATIONAL SERVICE AREA OFFICE 2

Abstract

The purposes of this research were: (1) to develop a Professional Learning Community (PLC) model for enhancing students’ vocational skills, and (2) to examine the outcomes of implementing the developed PLC model at Ban Pong Khet School under the Phetchaburi Primary Educational Service Area Office 2. This study employed an action research methodology. The target participants consisted of 73 individuals, including one school administrator, six teachers, two local wisdom experts, two community leaders, two parents, and sixty lower secondary school students. The research instrument was a questionnaire with a content validity index of 0.88. Data were analyzed using frequency and percentage statistics.

The findings revealed that the Professional Learning Community model for enhancing students’ vocational skills comprised five key components: (1) establishing a shared vision, mission, and goals; (2) planning and defining a developmental framework; (3) designing learning activities; (4) promoting continuous knowledge sharing and collaborative learning; and (5) conducting reflection, feedback, monitoring, and evaluation processes. The developed model was evaluated and rated at the highest level of quality. The implementation results indicated that the overall quality of vocational learning activities was rated at the highest level. Teachers and stakeholders were able to effectively implement all stages of the learning process and successfully achieve the intended objectives. Furthermore, the lower secondary school students demonstrated higher post-test mean scores compared to their pre-test scores, indicating significant improvement in vocational skills development.

The study also found that the PLC model fostered collaboration among teachers and stakeholders in designing and implementing learning activities that more effectively responded to students’ needs. Consequently, students were provided with enhanced opportunities to develop essential vocational skills, enabling them to apply these competencies in future career pathways and lifelong learning endeavors.

Keywords: Model Development, Professional Learning Community (PLC), Vocational Skills