PROJECT BASED LEARNING A CASE STUDY: DEVELOPMENT OF THE EMPEROR GRASS CHOPPER WITH COMMUNITY MEMBERS

Abstract

The objectives of this research were to 1) study the demand for using Jakrapat grass choppers among community members in Ban Bueng Wichai Village, Bueng Wichai Subdistrict, Mueang District, Kalasin Province, 2) develop the Jakrapat grass chopper using the project-based learning process, and 3) test the efficiency of the Jakrapat grass chopper using the project-based learning process. The target groups included teachers, lecturers in educational institutions, and farmer groups who raise animals as supplementary occupations, who were selected using purposive sampling. Research instruments included interviews, surveys, participant observation, and opinion questionnaires. Data were analyzed using inductive interpretation from observed phenomena, mean, and standard deviation.

The research results showed that 1) there was 1 household that accepted participation in developing the existing grass chopper to eliminate machine vibration, 2) data analysis results based on SWOT theory showed that developing grass chopper blades using AISI 1045 steel surface hardening process was most appropriate. The results from the implementation showed that the steel structure changed from pearlite to martensite, with hardness values increasing from an average of 44.8 HRC to 62.0 HRC, and 3) experts expressed consistent opinions about operational efficiency at the highest satisfaction level with a mean of 4.58 and standard deviation of 0.52. For the learning process efficiency, farmer groups had satisfaction from knowledge and wisdom transfer and supporting factors, while experts from educational institutions had satisfaction from knowledge transfer and support of materials, equipment, and machinery used in this research.