STRATEGY FOR ACADEMIC MANAGEMENT BASED ON DESIGND THINKING FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT OF NAKHONRATCHASIMA PRIMARY EDUCATIONAL SERVICE AREA OFFICE 4

Abstract

The objective of this study was to propose strategies for academic management based on the design thinking process for sustainable development. It employed a quantitative research approach and included a sample of 124 schools under the Nakhonratchasima Primary Educational Service Area Office 4. A total of 496 informants consisted of school directors, deputy directors in academic affair, primary school teachers, and secondary school teachers. There were altogether 412 questionnaire respondents or 83.06%. Data analysis involved descriptive statistics including frequency, percentage, mean, and standard deviation; Priority Needs Index (PNI_modified); and content analysis.

Investigation suggested a high level of mean ( = 3.831 SD. 0.738) for the current state, and a high level of mean ( = 4.350 SD. 0.839) for the desirable state. The needs were reported for curriculum development; development of educational media, innovations, technologies, and learning sources at a high level, as weaknesses (PNI_modified = .147), and the measurement and evaluation at a high level, as weakness (PNImodified = .141). External factors were reported for the state of technologies at a high level, as weakness (PNI_modified = .147); and the development of educational media, innovations, technologies, and learning sources at a high level, as weaknesses (PNI_modified = .184). Hence, strategies for academic management based on the design thinking process for sustainable development were determined and proposed in 3 main strategies as follows. 1) Developing school curriculum focusing on design thinking process to enhance learner’s skills and abilities; 2) Developing educational media, innovations, technologies, and learning sources focusing on design thinking process to enhance learner’s skills and abilities. 3) Developing a measurement and evaluation process focusing on design thinking process to enhance learner’s skills and abilities.