Learning Development through Project Based Learning to Promote Creative Economy Concept under the Professional Learning Community Process for Economics Subject of Grade 10 Students

Abstract

              The purposes of this study were 1) to examine the implementation of professional learning community (PLC) into project-based learning in order to promote creative economy concept and 2) to study learning and teaching management of learner-centered approach and students’ opinions in the Economics subject.  The research design was action research. The sample included forty grade 10 students enrolled in Mahasarakham University Demonstration School (Secondary) in the first semester of the academic year 2020. They were obtained through purposive sampling. The instruments for data collection included a group discussion form, a teaching observation form, teaching logs, and an opinion questionnaire. Statistics for data collection were mean, standard deviation, and content analysis.

              Based on the findings, it was suggested that a network across different departments should be built as the Economics subject shares content in Career and Technology Department and Science Department. School staff were capable of doing the professional learning community projects. The learning was designed in the form of a project with 6 STEM steps. As the teachers’ role in the professional learning community was coaching and mentoring, they kept the students more engaged in local wisdom and creative development.

              The results of the learning and teaching management also showed that local wisdom was incorporated into product development. The most selected local wisdom among the students was food products, and the second most was Thai herbs. Raw materials for product development were available
in the community nearby. The students’ overall opinions toward this learning and teaching management were at a “high level.” The top three opinions were “I like the measurement and evaluation of this learning activity”, “I like the learning materials used in the Economics subject,” and “I like that this learning activity provided a mentor for each group” respectively.