The Development of Self-Directed Learning for Students of the Course Swu 361 Swu in the Community of Srinakharinwirot University

Abstract

          This article aimed to study and compare the development of self-directed learning of students in the course SWU 361 SWU for the Community. This was quasi-experimental research. The samples consisted of 267 Srinakharinwirot University students who were enrolled in the course SWU 361: SWU for the Community, Semester 2, Academic year of 2023, obtained from simple random sampling. The research instrument was a questionnaire. Data were analyzed using frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation, paired t-test for comparing means, and one-way ANOVA for variance analysis.". The overall development of self-directed learning of students before and after teaching and learning were at a good level (  = 2.47, S.D. = 0.34 and  = 2.95, S.D. = 0.11).  After teaching and learning, the aspect with the highest average score in the good level was the aspect of learning needs ( = 2.97, S.D. = 0.13). The results of comparing the development of self-directed learning among students before and after the teaching and learning using the paired t-test showed a statistically significant difference at the .01 level level (T = -28.942). After the teaching and learning, students showed higher self-directed learning development compared to before the teaching and learning of overall and all four aspects: learning needs, goal setting, learning process from academic sources, and evaluation. Recommendations: In organizing learning activities, the instructor should prioritize diversity and the differences among learners in order to choose suitable strategies for motivating students and integrating self-directed learning with other teaching methods.