THE TEACHING OF READING ANALYSIS VIA ACTIVE LEARNING FOR DEVELOPING CRITICAL THINKING SKILLS OF THAI CHILDREN OF THE GEN Z ERA

Abstract

Critical thinking skill is one of the important components of life skills. People with critical thinking skills has the ability to consider the facts, various essence reasons, know how to making decisions and has the ability to estimate an increase intelligences. Therefore, the developing critical thinking skills is important, especially for modern Thai children. Also known as the children of Gen Z (Generation Z) because the critical thinking skills will help to figure out the essence to leading the decisions and solve problems in daily life. Especially in this era that full of technologies and informations through various electronic devices that is more accessible than before. However, many of Thai students lack critical thinking skills when comparing results of any analysis reading scores results such as the Programme for International Student Assessment or PISA in previous years. They found that the average of reading part was decrease and likely to be further reduced. Caused by the teaching and learning in Thailand does not respond to the learning process of children in this present age whom are Gen Z (Generation Z) or those born since 1995. The learning style of Gen Z likes to learn via technology because they grew up in the digital world, visual learning, action learning and collaborative learning. Teachers should use the Active Learning to manage along with teaching reading analysis instead of the old teaching that focuses on lectures. This will help students to have direct experiences, learning from action, have the ability to create knowledge, develop effective learning skills and increase the critical thinking skills which are essential skills for living in the digital age.