Development and Application Guidelines of a 21st Century Learning Competency Framework for Primary School Students in the Context of Thai Society
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Abstract
This research article aimed to: 1) develop a learning competency framework for primary school students in the 21st century; 2) validate the appropriateness of the developed learning competency framework; and 3) propose guidelines for applying the framework to curriculum development and instructional management that are aligned with the context of Thai society. The study employed mixed methods research design. The research instrument was a survey on future essential skills and knowledge for primary school students, which was used to obtain validation of the synthesized competency framework from seven experts. Data were analyzed using frequency distribution and content analysis.
The research findings revealed that the learning competency framework comprised four dimensions: 1) foundational skills, encompassing literacy, numeracy, digital literacy, and critical thinking; 2) transformative competencies, emphasizing value creation, social responsibility, and conflict management; 3) a learning process based on a cycle of anticipation, action, and reflection; and 4) social and emotional skills that promote collaboration. All seven experts agreed that the framework was appropriate across all four dimensions. For most indicators, expert agreement was at least 57.14 percent in each dimension. The indicators were considered practical for assessment and curriculum development. Specifically, the foundational skills dimension consisted of nine indicators; the transformative competencies dimension included eight indicators; the learning process dimension comprised eight indicators; and the social and emotional skills dimension included six core and sub indicators. Overall, the framework can be applied to the development of an integrated curriculum that addresses the needs of competency development in Thai primary education and offers flexibility for adaptation to local contexts.
The body of knowledge derived from this study is a four-dimensional competency framework grounded in the Thai context, with clearly defined indicators. The framework incorporates the Korat Local Integration Model, emphasizing hands on learning, diverse assessment approaches, and the holistic development of learners
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