Conduct a Collaborative Effort of Teachers to Strengthen Students’ Creative Thinking Skills

Abstract

This research aimed at developing the creative thinking skills of students by using Participative Action Research methodology. The research was done in two cycles, one semester each in the Academic Year of 2021. The expected results of the study should result in changes in learning and the knowledge gained from action in the specific context of the Faculty of Education of Mahamakut Buddhist University (MBU). The research participants were 15 professors, who were responsible for bachelor's degree programs in the fields of teaching the Thai language, the English language, and Social Studies. In addition, 258 students were the group targeted for development. The results showed the following expected changes. Firstly, a comparison of the mean of the participants' performance assessment and the assessment of the creative thinking skills of the students was conducted in 3 phases (before and after the first cycle and after the second cycle). For both cases, the means were higher. Secondly, the research team, co-researchers, and educational institutions learned by taking an action, especially with regard to the benefits of using participatory principles and teamwork principles, both of which make work more efficient than when individuals take an action alone. Thirdly, knowledge was gained by utilizing the conceptual framework of Force-Field Analysis, which is a model called the Driving Forces that Affect the Success of the Project entitled ‘Conduct a Collaborative Effort of Teachers to Strengthen Students’ Creative Thinking Skills at MBU.’