The Development of a Lifelong Learning Ecosystem on Online Platforms to Promote Flexible Learning and Self-Directed Learning Skills for Higher Education Institutions

Abstract

           The research aimed to 1) study the components of a lifelong learning ecosystem on online platforms to promote flexible learning and self-directed learning skills for higher education institutions, 2) develop a model of the lifelong learning ecosystem on online platforms to promote flexible learning and self-directed learning skills for higher education institutions, and 3) evaluate the model of the lifelong learning ecosystem on online platforms to promote flexible learning and self-directed learning skills for higher education institutions. The research sample consisted of 40 first-year undergraduate students from the Faculty of Nursing, Phetchabun Rajabhat University, selected through purposive sampling. The research instruments used were: 1) an interview form, 2) a questionnaire, 3) the lifelong learning ecosystem model on online platforms, 4) a questionnaire for evaluating the usefulness of the ecosystem, 5) a questionnaire for evaluating the effectiveness of the ecosystem, and 6) a self-assessment form for flexible learning and self-directed learning skills. The statistics used for data analysis were the mean (x̅) and standard deviation (S.D.).
          The research findings revealed that: 1) The development of the lifelong learning ecosystem on online platforms to promote flexible learning and self-directed learning skills for higher education institutions consists of four main components: Foundation, Learning Design, Execution, and Experience Evaluation. Additionally, it includes seven supporting components: Stakeholders, Content and Curriculum, Learning Data, Technology, Governance, Support and Opportunities for Learning, and Skill and Knowledge Development. Experts evaluated the overall appropriateness of all components as "very high". 2) The evaluation of the usefulness of the lifelong learning ecosystem on online platforms found the level of appropriateness to be high (x̅ = 4.25, S.D. = 0.57). 3) The evaluation of the effectiveness of the lifelong learning ecosystem on online platforms found the level of appropriateness to be high (x̅ = 4.30, S.D. = 0.57). 4) The satisfaction evaluation for learning through the lifelong learning ecosystem model on online platforms found the level of appropriateness to be high (x̅ = 4.33, S.D. = 0.61).