Enhancing purposes in life of university students with contemplative education and adult learning concepts: key learning processes and success factors

Abstract

The objective of this action research is to study the key learning processes that enhance university students’ purpose in life, and to study the success factors in organizing activities to enhance university students’ purpose in life with the concepts of contemplative education and adult learning.The sampling method was voluntary selection. Students, who were interested in, applied to participate in the learning process themselves. The quotas were given equally to 6 faculties of Sakon Nakhon Rajabhat University; 4 for each faculty which became 24 students in total. The research instruments were as follows; 1) the researcher's field notes. 2) work sheets and reflections form for collecting traces of learning. 3) questions for focus group and 4) in - depth interview.

          The findings were as follows. Key learning processes that enhance university students’ purpose in life included practicing mindfulness and meditation, introspection, recognition of one own’s purpose, engaging with interest according to one own’s purpose, and self-reflection of learning. Success factors included various learning methods which were easy to understand, comfortable learning atmosphere, understanding teachers and encouragement among students.