Buddhist Innovation for Developing the Learning of Children and Youth

Abstract

ABSTRACT

                      This mixed-method research aimed at investigating the Buddhist innovation to develop the Thai children and youth learning; developing a model of the Buddhist innovation to develop the secondary Thai children and youth learning on their IQ and EQ in Nakhon Pathom province, and constructing a model of the Buddhist innovation to develop the secondary Thai children and youth learning as the Dhamma successors in Nakhon Pathom province. Its quantitative research used the questionnaire to collect data conducted among 5 secondary schools, i.e. Wat Rai Khing Wittaya, Preedaram Wittayakhom, Nakh Prasith School, Hom Kred School, and Wat Tha Pood School (Nakhonphol Prachanukul) with 5,703 population in total. Through Taro Yamane’s sampling model, it yielded 375 samples. In qualitative research, the team engaged their activities with monks, laities and the targeted group. In-depth interview was conducted with 20 key informants responsible for teaching morals and they were Phra Vipassanācāraya, Abbot Assistants, Teachers involved and Student Presidents representing their students. A Focus Group was organized with 11 participants who were the monks, the Student Presidents, and the student activists of “Get-up Teacher”.  Action research was conducted at Wat Rai Khing Wittaya with 30 children and youth selected from one out of each five students from the 5 schools. Its data collection was through an activity set. Its statistical analyses were percentage, means and standard deviation while elucidating data of pre-post activities were through paired t-test after evaluating their pre-post activities.

          The results revealed that: 1) as of the first objective in investigating the Buddhist innovation to develop the Thai children and youth learning, it showed that by overview most students designated the highest scores at 55.7%. The assessment on developing the model of the Buddhist innovation to develop the secondary Thai children and youth learning on their IQ and EQ in Nakhon Pathom province disclosed that most respondents depicted moderate scores at 58.4%, This could explicate the perspective evaluation set on developing the model of the Buddhist innovation to develop the secondary Thai children and youth learning on their IQ and EQ (intellect and emotion).

          2) With regard to developing the model of the Buddhist innovation to develop the secondary Thai children and youth learning on their IQ and EQ in Nakhon Pathom province, it revealed that Buddha or Buddhism in view of innovation was the bloom from learning new things through technology. Some might apply scientific principle mixed with Buddhism as of doing new things so that children felt no boredom with activities and linked with the religious dimensions.

          3). As of to construct a model of the Buddhist innovation to develop the 30 secondary Thai children and youth learning as the Dhamma successors in Nakhon Pathom province, and after comparing itemized values earned from paired t-test of pre-post activity participation, it was found that each of the 20 items they scored was totally different. This showed that pre-post activity participated had developed them in acquiring positive attitude with learning and better life course exempted Item 3. This activity led to the understanding of the Buddhist Dhamma principle. Similarly, Item 4 led participants to know how to pray and to meditate.