Guidelines for Developing Professional Learning Communities for Business Computer Teacher in Vocational College

Abstract

The objectives of this study were: 1) to study current and desired conditions of professional learning community (PLC) for business computer teachers in vocational colleges    in Bangkok: and 2) to identify guidelines for developing the PLC for business computer teachers in vocational colleges in Bangkok. This study employed mixed research methods including:
1) quantitative method with samples of 112 teachers and 15 directors from vocational colleges in Bangkok and survey questionnaire used as a research tool to collect the quantitative data; and 2) qualitative method with 7 key informants and focus-group discussions as research tools to collect qualitative data. Quantitative data were analyzed by using two statistics, i.e., mean, and standard deviation, and also qualitative data were analyzed using the content analysis.          The study findings revealed that the directors rated all current domains of the PLC from high to the highest level and the desired ones at the highest level. The business computer teachers rated the current conditions at high level and the desired conditions at the highest level.         The study also found that the guidelines for developing the PLC were: 2 domains for the directors, i.e., 1) should allow the teachers to engage in developing visions, missions, and goals of vocational college, and 2) should support and manage resources effectively; and 4 domains for the teachers, i.e., 1) should engage in designation of vocational college’s visions, missions, and goals, 2) should be able to manage the assignments as planned, 3) should gather as a team to build the PLC, and 4) should regularly and stably practice the self-improvement.