Enhancing Critical Cognitive Skills of the Vocational Students Using Critical Cognitive Skills of Life Skills Training Program

Abstract

This research aimed to (1) compare the average scores of critical cognitive skills before and after training in the life skill training program, and (2) investigate a satisfaction of Vocational students of the critical cognitive skills in the life skill (CSS) training program. The sample was vocational students who were studying in a vocational certificate level in academic year 2013 under the Office of the Vocational Education Commission including Technical College, Vocational College, and Private Vocational College from six regions. Total number of 507 participants was obtained by using a multi-stage random sampling from 18 colleges and a classroom was selected for each college. Research instruments could be divided into two categories: (1) an experimental instrument was the CSS training program and (2) instruments for measuring dependent variables were A rating scale on the CSS for vocational students and a satisfaction scale of using the CSS training program for vocational students. Data were analyzed by using descriptive statistics and  t-test for dependent sample.

          Research findings were as follows.

          1) The average scores of the critical cognitive skills of vocational student after training program with the CSS were statistically significant higher than scores before the training (p< .05).

          2) Vocational students were generally satisfied with the CSS training program, ranging from high to the highest levels.

          Thus, it can be concluded that the training program with the CSS could effectively enhance the critical cognitive skills of vocational students.