Development of a training course to enhance the morality and ethics of student teachers at Champasack University, Lao People’s Democratic Republic

Abstract

The objective of this research was to develop a training course for enhancing morality and ethics of student teachers at the Faculty of Education, Champasack University, Lao PDR. This mixed-method research utilized a three-phase research and development process. Phase 1 involved the analysis of relevant documents and research to obtain basic information for the training course development. Interviews were conducted with nine executives and teachers, and a questionnaire was administered to 369 participants, including executives, teachers, and undergraduate students from four departments. Phase 2 focused on the development of the training course, which was accomplished through the action research of two cycles, targeting 16 third-year student teachers from the four departments. In Phase 3, the quality of the training course was verified through a meeting of seven experts. The findings revealed that during Phase 1, there was a need to develop a training course for morality and ethics enhancement in all aspects: responsibility, volunteering, unity, and discipline with PNImodified of 0.28, 0.27, 0.25, and 0.23 respectively. In Phase 2, 80% of the students passed the predetermined criteria. There was a notable difference in the test results before and after the training, with a statistical significance level of .05. The training content activity received a highest level of satisfaction (X̅ = 4.69, SD = 0.48). For Phase 3, the quality verification process and comprehensive course improvement identified ten components: (1) rationale, (2) principles, (3) goals, (4) objectives, (5) content structure and duration, (6) activities, (7) training methods, (8) media and equipment, (9) measurement and evaluation, and (10) expected outcomes.