The inclination of stakeholders in Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education, Faculty of Education, Naresuan University

Abstract

          The study of the inclination of stakeholders in bachelor’s degree in elementary education, Faculty of Education, Naresuan University aims to study the desire for further study in higher education in elementary education programme, Faculty of Education, Naresuan University and to study opinions on the importance and direction of interest in such course. The sample group was divided into 2 groups: 470 high school students who were expected to continue their studies in higher education, and 113 educational personnels in both the public and private sectors. The survey was used to collect data. The data were analyzed using percentage, means and standard deviation.

          The result indicated that a high percentage of respondents agreed on developing an undergraduate course of elementary education in Faculty of Education, Naresuan University should be established in response to the development of teachers and educational personnels who have expertise in elementary education, which is basic education that focuses on basic human learning skills that are literacy, writing and arithmetic. It is also an education that creates a social atmosphere in which children can learn to live with others through various social activities while developing their potentials, interests and aptitudes at the same time. Most of the respondents from both groups focused on the development and learning behaviors of elementary school children. In addition, the research found that there was a need for the curriculum saying it should be modern and cover a wide range of subject areas. The teaching and learning methods should be state-of-the-art, flexible and emphasizes skill training and professional experience. Besides, the educators suggested that elementary school teachers should have a degree majoring in elementary education. Moreover, they should be able to choose appropriate, creative and up-to-date methods of knowledge transfer and to manage classrooms effectively. Lastly, such teachers should be flexible, adaptable, and always ready to learn and develop. This result can be used as a guideline for developing the curriculum of primary education programs in accordance with the interests and needs of those who wish to study further and stakeholders.