Development of Critical Reading Ability and Problem Solving of First Year Thai Language Teaching Students by Use Problem-Based Learning

Abstract

The objectives of this research study were: 1) to compare the ability of critical reading and problem solving of first-year students, before and after employing Problem-Based Learning (PBL), 2) to study the students’ opinions towards the learning activities with Problem-Based Learning. The population in this research was the 1st-3rd year 120 students in the faculty of education majoring in Teaching Thai at Mahamakut Buddhist University Isan Campus, studying in the academic year 2021. The sample group in this research was the first-year 44 students that were studying in the academic year 2021. Research of Method were lesson plans for critical reading and questionnaires of students’ opinions towards Problem-Based Learning. The data were statistically analyzed employing the mean and standard deviation.
The results of the study reveal as follows:
1. the students’ mean score and the standard deviation on critical reading and problem-solving ability tests were X̅ = 20.20 and S.D. = 0.55 respectively, and after the treatment with Problem-Based Learning, the mean score and the standard deviation were X̅ = 25.50 and S.D. = 0.65, indicating that the critical reading and problem-solving skills significantly improved and the statistical level of 0.05, in accordance with the hypothesis set.
2. The overall students’ opinion towards the instruction employed the Problem-Based Learning was at a high level (X̅ = 4.39). As considered in each aspect, it was found that, in Learning Activities, the students' opinion was at the highest level of agreement (X̅ = 4.50), followed by Teaching Media, the students' opinion was at the very agreeable level (X̅ = 4.40,), on the Measurement and Evaluation Aspect, the students' opinion was in a very agreeable level (X̅ = 4.35), and in terms of Learning Environment Management (X̅=4.32).