Guidelines for Developing Schools as Learning Communities of Schools under the Watdhana District Office to Promote Bangkok as a Lifelong Learning City

Abstract

This study aimed to examine and evaluate the appropriateness and feasibility of the guidelines for developing schools as learning communities of schools under the Watdhana District Office to promote Bangkok as a lifelong learning city. A mixed-methods research design was employed, consisting of two phases. Phase 1 involved qualitative research to explore guidelines for developing schools as learning communities. The key informants comprised 12 educational administrators, school administrators, and educational supervisors, selected through purposive sampling. A semi-structured interview was used as the research instrument, and the data were analyzed using inductive content analysis based on the approach of Braun and Clarke. Phase 2 involved quantitative research to assess the appropriateness and feasibility of the developed guidelines by the experts in relevant fields through the appropriateness and feasibility assessment form. The data were analyzed by descriptive statistics, including the mean and standard deviation, with the aid of a statistical software package. The findings revealed that the guidelines for developing schools as learning communities consisted of five aspects of vision, eleven aspects of philosophy, and seven aspects of activity systems. Those guidelines demonstrated strong potential to enhance schools as community learning centers and to support the sustainable development of Bangkok as a lifelong learning city with the assessment of both appropriateness and feasibility at the highest level.