A Development of Training Curriculum for Coping With Drought to Enhance Knowledge and Awareness in Climate Change Adaptation for High School Students

Abstract

           The purpose of this study were 1) to formulate and assess a drought preparedness training course with the objective of raising more understanding and awareness of behavioral adaptation to climate change for upper-secondary students; 2) to test a drought preparedness training course to raise more understanding and awareness of behavioral adaptation to climate change for upper-secondary students; and 3) to examine students' opinions on a drought preparedness training course to raise more understanding and awareness of behavioral adaptation to climate change for upper-secondary students. The study was conducted utilizing the research and development method. The sample groups were 38 eleventh-grade students during the second semester of the academic year 2566 from Phothithammasuwat School under the secondary educational service area Phichit. The sample groups were selected using cluster sampling methodology, and a one-group pretest-posttest design was employed.
          The one-group pretest-posttest design was used in the study. The research instruments were a drought preparedness training course for upper-secondary students, an evaluation test on awareness of behavioral adaptation to climate change, a questionnaire on awareness of behavioral adaptation to climate change, and a comment survey. Data were analyzed using mean, standard deviation, and independent T-test.
          The research results revealed that:
          1. The drought preparedness training course consisted of seven sections: 1) research rationale; 2) course objectives; 3) course content; 4) course structure; 5) guidelines for learning and activity management; 6) guidelines for the use of media and learning materials in the training course; and 7) guidelines for assessment and evaluation. The assessment of the course's suitability was at the highest level. (x ̅ = 4.83, S.D. = 0.02), showing the operational feasibility of the course according to the pilot study.
          2. After participating in the course, students had a significant improvement in their understanding of behavioral adaptation to climate change than before participating in the course, with a statistical significance level of 0.05, and had awareness of preparedness for drought conditions at a high level. (x ̅ = 3.98, S.D. = 0.78)
          3. The students' opinions towards a drought preparedness training course to raise more understanding and awareness of behavioral adaptation to climate change for upper-secondary students were at the highest level (x ̅ = 4.88, S.D. = 0.13)