THE DEVELOPMENT PROCESS OF DEMOCRATIC CITIZENSHIP SKILLS FOR UNIVERSITY STUDENTS

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate and develop processes to strengthen democratic citizenship for university students. The research methodology used was research and development in 5 steps: investigate the current state, design a process, analyze the process, bring into action, and assess it. The samples were 82 Sakon Nakhon Rajabhat University students. The findings can be concluded as follows.

1. The current state of students of all six faculties in Sakon Nakhon Rajabhat University had democratic citizenship at high level.

2. The process to strengthen democratic citizenship skill for university students was active learning which comprises 4 steps, namely preparation (P), action (A), reflection (R), evaluation (E) or so-called P.A.R.E. Model. The results of bringing the active learning process to use with 82 university students showed that the mean score of democratic citizenship skill of students who participated in the active learning process was significantly higher than that of students who did not participate at the .01 level. In addition, it was found that the key elements of strengthening democratic citizenship for university students include: thinking skill, respect for rules, respect for others’ right, social responsibility, participation in public events, respect for the difference, and shared social responsibility. Civil society is a horizontal society in which everyone has their equal right and freedom. Therefore, strengthening democratic citizenship for university students should employ the following processes of learning: active learning, project-based learning, and problem-based learning and should use the ‘teach less and learn more’ strategy.