Study of Science for Industrial Career of Vocational Certificate Students at Ubon Ratchathani Technical College: Mixed Methods Research

Abstract

This research article aims to: 1) compare the opinions towards learning management in the subject of Science for Industrial Occupations among Vocational Certificate level students at Ubon Ratchathani Technical College, classified by major,  and 2) study the needs for learning media in the subject of Science for Industrial Occupations among Vocational Certificate level students at Ubon Ratchathani Technical College. The researcher employed a mixed-methods research design, specifically the Explanatory Sequential Design, conducted in two phases: Phase 1: Quantitative Study. The sample consisted of 62 first-year Vocational Certificate level students in the Electronics major and the Machine Tool Technology major, obtained through proportional stratified random sampling. The research instrument was a 5-level rating scale questionnaire with a reliability coefficient for the entire instrument of 0.822. Phase 2: Qualitative Study. The informants were 5 students in total, comprised of 2 first-year Vocational Certificate students from the Electronics major and 3 first-year Vocational Certificate students from the Machine Tool Technology major, who had the lowest scores on the learning media section of the questionnaire. They were selected using purposive sampling. Data was collected through focus group discussions.The research findings revealed the following:The comparison of students' opinions towards learning management in the subject of Science for Industrial Occupations, classified by major, showed no statistically significant difference overall and in each aspect.For in-class learning, students needed instructional handouts and PowerPoint slides. They also required a summary of the subject content for post-class review that could be accessed online.