EDUCATION OF THE CURRENT STATE AND THE PROBLEM OF DIGITAL CITIZEN SKILLS FOR PHENOMENAL-BASED LEARNING MANAGEMENT IN LIFE AND THAI SOCIETY COURSE AT HIGH VOCATIONAL CERTIFICATE LEVEL

Abstract

This research article employs a mixed-method approach to examine the current status and challenges related to digital citizen skills in the context of phenomenon-based learning management. This approach emphasizes the process of educational management through real-world phenomena integrated with questioning techniques to facilitate collaborative problem-solving, along with the utilization of digital media for teaching and multidimensional analysis The study was conducted in five vocational colleges located in Phitsanulok Province, involving a sample of 354 respondents determined by applying Krejcie & Morgan’s formula. The sample group consisted of students enrolled in courses related to life and Thai society. Among them, 40 students were pursuing higher vocational certificates at Phitsanulok Technical College. The research employed two types of instruments: 1) a questionnaire to assess the current state and challenges of digital citizen skills, and 2) questionnaires for interviewing teachers and learners about the teaching and learning processes in courses related to Thai life and society. Quantitative data was analyzed using Percentage, Mean, and Standard Deviation, while qualitative research data was analyzed through content analysis and synthesized into descriptive summaries. The findings revealed that in terms of current conditions and challenges related to digital citizen skills among students pursuing a Higher Vocational Certificate, there was a moderate level of proficiency with a mean score of 2.54 and a standard deviation of 0.51, indicating a reasonable level of insight and problem-solving ability. This led the researcher to further investigate and collect data through questionnaires and interviews with key informant groups. These key informants expressed the view that learning management should focus on developing digital citizen skills in students. This can be achieved by utilizing social phenomena as case studies for each unit of the Life and Thai Society course, leveraging digital technology as a teaching medium.