APPROACHES TO ENHANCE PROFESSIONAL LEARNING COMMUNITY OF SCHOOLS UNDER THE KHON KAEN PRIMARY EDUCATIONAL SERVICE AREA OFFICE 4

Abstract

     The purposes of the research were to investigate the current state, desired state, needs, and approaches to enhance professional learning community of schools under Khon Kaen Primary Educational Service Area Office 4. The samples were selected from the schools under Khon Kaen Primary Educational Service Area Office 4. The key informants seemed to be 406 school administrators and teachers. The research instruments were questionnaires using a 5-point scale, and the statistical methods used in data analysis were percentage, mean, standard deviation, and Modified Priority Needs Index: PNI _modified.

          The findings of the research indicated that;

     1. The current state of professional learning community under Khon Kaen Primary Educational Service Area Office 4, as a whole and each aspect were at the moderate level, and the desired state, as a whole and each aspect were at the high and highest level.
     2. In terms of the needs of professional learning community under Khon Kaen Primary Educational Service Area Office 4 based on the mean arranged in descending order, it was found that the aspect of reflective dialogue was at the highest level. Moreover, the second, third, fourth and fifth highest levels seemed to be the aspects of collective focus on student learning, collaboration starts, shared values and norms, and deprivatization of instructional practices respectively.
     3. The approaches to enhancing professional learning community consisted of 1) collaboration to achieve goals, 2) learning management based on technology and innovation, 3) teacher empowerment, 4) creating a shared vision and values, and 5) establishing academic collaboration network.