Development of futuristic thinking ability and futurist thinker characteristics for grade 12 students

Abstract

This study developed the process of futuristic thinking ability and futurist thinker characteristics for Grade 12 students using the Jurisprudential Inquiry Model (JIM) with forecastingtechniques. In addition, theresearchers measured the students’ achievement regarding futuristic thinking ability and futuristic thinker characteristics according to the defined criteria.The target group in this study comprised 45 grade 12 students from Mueang Phayalae Wittaya School, Chaiyaphun province under the Secondary Educational Service Area Office 30 in semester 1 of the 2014 academic year. This target group had attended eight lessons planned using the JIM with forecasting techniques for a total of 16 hours. The instruments utilized in this study were observation form, student opinion record, instruction record, student interview record of learning activities, and post-test futuristic ability. Descriptive statistics were used to examine the students’ achievement in futuristic thinking ability and futurist thinker characteristics. The findings indicated that the grade 12 students had an average score of futuristic thinking ability of 21.40 accounting for 71.33 percent. In addition, the 37 students who met the criteria accounted for 82.22 percent which was higher than the defined criteria. All 45 students (100%) who had attended lessons utilizing the JIM with forecasting techniques presented high futuristic thinker characteristics. The findings contribute significantly to knowledge proposing futuristic thinking ability which can guide teachers in improving their teaching competencies to manage their students’ futuristic thinking abilities effectively.