NEEDS OF RECREATION ACTIVITIES TO PROMOTE LIFELONG LEARNING CHARACTERISTICS OF LATE PRIMARY SCHOOL STUDENTS, SURAT THANI PROVINCE

Abstract

          This research aimed to (1) study needs of recreational activities of late primary school students  and (2) propose the guidelines to implement recreational activities for enhancing lifelong learning characteristics of late primary school students. The survey research was conducted in 2 phases. Multi-stage-sampling samples in the first phase were  400 late primary school students. Using statistics analysis approach, data were collected by using Needs of Recreation Questionnaires. Purposive selection samples in the second phase were 7 experts from related fields of this research. Using content analysis approach, data were collected by conducting focus group.
          Findings were found that the five recreational activities fostering late primary students in lifelong learning mostly were online game (x̄ = 2.96), listening to music (x̄ = 2.84), playing music (x̄ = 2.84), playing badminton (x̄ = 2.83), and watching movies/dramas (x̄ = 2.72). When considering each category of recreation activities, games and sports was the top rank of (x̄ = 2.72), respectively followed by music (x̄ = 2.69), tourism (x̄ = 2.68), hobby (x̄ = 2.64) and crafting (x̄ = 2.46). Guidelines to promote lifelong learning through recreation activity were 1) to enhance physical and mental development, 2) to improve life/career skills, 3) to promote creativity toward behavior and positive attitudes, 4) to promote self-directed learning, 5) to enhance the citizenship and value of others, society, and community, and 6) to let technology be a part of the activities.