THE DEVELOPMENT OF SAWANGDAENDIN TECHNOLOGICAL COLLEGE BASE ON VOCATIONAL EDUCATION STANDARDS USING PROFESSIONAL LEARNING COMMUNITY PROCESS

Abstract

The purposes of this research were to: 1. examine the development components, 2. investigate conditions, problems, and needs, 3. establish the development guidelines, and 4. examine the effects after the intervention. Research methodology was participatory action research (PAR). Research tools consisted of a set of questionnaires, evaluation forms, observation forms, and interview forms. The findings were as follows:

1. The development components based on vocational education standards consisted of: 1) building a learning society, 2) graduates’ desired characteristics, and 3) vocational education management. In addition, the components of professional learning community (PLC) involved: 1) learning and teamwork, 2) shared vision, values, and norms, 3) knowledge sharing in the workplace, 4) supportive structure for professional learning community, 5) continuous learning and professional development, and 6) participative leadership.
2. The identified conditions, problems and needs for development were: The development conditions concerned unclearly defined development guidelines, teachers with limited knowledge on job development adhering to the vocational education standards, discontinuous professional development, and less ambition to cultivate morality and ethics for themselves and the learners.
3. The developed guidelines based on vocational education standards using PLC consisted of  3 standards, 9 indicators and 6 components and 37 indicators through 9 projects with 22 activities.
4. The effects revealed that each standard and all components of the college operations achieved at a high level. The progress development after the second spiral compared to the first spiral reached 92.40 and 93.60, respectively. Based on the overall development results the administration was systematic management and knowledge sharing was gained. As a result, the college quality improved and met the quality standards.