Wang Thong community-based learning activities for developing environmental global citizenship skills among grade 6 students in the Wang Thong 2 educational development network schools

Abstract

This study aimed to: 1. examine the state of environmental teaching and learning management for Grade 6 students in schools under the Wang Thong 2 Educational Development Network, and 2. develop Wang Thong community-based learning activities to enhance environmental global citizenship skills among Grade 6 students. This research is qualitative. The research instruments included; an in-depth interview protocol, learning activity plans, and an environmental global citizenship skills assessment form. The key informants were Grade 6 social studies teachers and Grade 6 students from eight schools under the Wang Thong 2 Educational Development Network, Kaeng Sopha Subdistrict, Wang Thong District, Phitsanulok Province. Participants were selected through purposive sampling. Data were analyzed using inductive analysis. The findings revealed that environmental teaching and learning management in the schools was primarily organized through content integration within the social studies subject area, particularly geography and civics. Most teachers used real-life problems or situations as the starting point for learning. For the development of Wang Thong community-based learning activities, the researcher designed a 13-hour learning plan based on a four-stage process; preparation, action, reflection, and demonstration. The activity content comprised knowing our community, our local resources, local environmental problems, we are green-hearted global citizens, and communicating for change. The implementation of these activities yielded positive outcomes in terms of learners, teachers, learning materials, and measurement and evaluation. The key knowledge generated from this study indicates that the development of students’ environmental global citizenship skills can be achieved effectively when learning management is aligned with the school and community context and provides opportunities for hands-on practice.