7 A DEVELOPMENT OF EARLY CHILDHOOD TEACHERS’ COMPETENCIES BY CHANGING ON-SITE LEARNING ACTIVITIES TO ONLINE TO TURN CRISIS INTO OPPORTUNITIES IN THE DIGITAL AGE

Abstract

The objectives of this research were to study the learning management conditions of early childhood educational institutions, develop the competencies of early childhood teachers, and evaluate the satisfaction of early childhood teachers regarding the transition of activities from on-site to online. The sample consisted of 150 early childhood teachers in Phetchabun Province and 20 participants in the learning activities. The research instruments included an interview schedule, a questionnaire, and an evaluation form. The statistical methods used for data analysis were mean, standard deviation, percentage, and t-test. The research findings revealed that the teachers prioritized on-site learning skills while organizing on-line learning activities utilizing YouTube technology. Additionally, teachers were interested in developing their technological and digital skills to enhance learning management and produce educational media for early childhood education, particularly in creating online worksheets. The results of the evaluation showed that early childhood teachers’ overall competencies were at a high level. The comparison of technological skill learning among early childhood teachers showed that the average score before participating in the activities was 10.80, while the average score after the activities increased to 13.43. This development was statistically significant at the 0.05 level. Also, the results of the evaluation indicated that the overall teachers’ satisfaction towards the activity management was at the highest level.