The Development of an Activity Model to Enhance the 21st Century Learning Skills in Relation to Life and Career Skills for Students in Food and Nutrition Department

Abstract

The research article included the following objectives: 1) to examine the importance of activities to enhance the 21^st century learning skills; 2) to analyze the components of activities to enhance the 21^st century learning skills; and 3) to develop an activity model to enhance the 21^st century learning skills. The key informants included 25 administrators and teachers who taught or arranged activities for students in the food and nutrition department. The sample group consisted of 331 students from the food and nutrition department studying in vocational education institutions in the central region. The research instruments were semi-structured interview form and a questionnaire. The statistics used were frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation, and exploratory factor analysis.

The results of the study reveal as follows: 1) The importance level of activities to enhance the 21^st century learning skills is at a high level, both overall and in each aspect;       2) There are 3 components of activities to enhance the 21^st century learning skills, namely   2.1) The social component includes efficient cooperation with others, friendly interaction with colleagues, acceptance of the opinions of others, sacrificing one’s own benefit for the common good, 2.2) The creative thinking component includes creative thinking, systematic planning, setting goals and developing oneself in order to achieve the goals, 2.3) The adaptation component includes the ability to adapt to change in all circumstances with a positive work attitude according to assigned tasks, and 3) The developed activity model to enhance the 21^st century learning skills is called the “S2C model",” which focuses on allowing students to create a society in which they can collaborate with others, develop themselves creatively, and set goals for their businesses by working systematically in steps according to PDCA principles. This will lead to self-transformation and change in business positively.