Abstract:
The purposes of this research were to study group working behaviors of Prathom Suksa six students in Changwat Chiang Rai and to compare group working behaviors of Prathom Suksa six students in urban and rural schools in Changwat Chiang Rai. The subjects were 58 groups of Prathom Suksa six students in the academic year 1985, in the schools under the jurisdiction of Chiang Rai provincial primary Education Office. The subjects were composed of 29 groups of students in urban schools and 29 groups of students in rural schools, and the 58 teachers who taught those 58 groups of students. The subjects were selected by using the multistage random sampling technique. The research instruments were the Check list of Group working Behaviors, The Student Interview Form and The Questionnaires for Teachers. Existing status in group working behaviors of Prathom Suksa six students were observed. Students were interviewed by using the Students Interview Form, and the data from the teachers were collected by using the questionnaires. The data were statistically analyzed by using frequency, percentage, chi-square test, and mean. Results : 1. Students in urban and rural schools worked in groups most in the Area of Life Experience in the school curriculum. Group working time lasted 11-20 minutes. In the urban schools the size of group was 6-8 students, but in the rural schools the size was 3-5 students. 2. From the list of 30 items of group working behaviors, both groups of students in urban and rural schools demonstrated 24 groups working behaviors at the most, 11 group working behaviors at the least, and the average number of group working behaviors was 18. 3. There was a significant difference at the .05 level in 1 item out of 30 items of group working behaviors between the students in urban and rural schools, that was behavior concerning with group conclusion . And there was a significant difference at the .05 level in 1 item out of 7 items of the general characteristics in group working behaviors between both groups of students, that was behavior concerning with active participation in working. 4. From the interviews, most students worked in group in The Area of Life Experience. They also enjoyed working in this subject area. Normally groups were set up by teachers and were composed of boys and girls, which satisfied the students. Most students have had the opportunity in being leaders before and they were allowed to choose their own leaders. They had positive attitude toward group work, and they liked to work in groups. Some of the problems in group working were concerned with processes in group work, members of the groups and the working time allowed. 5. From the questionnaires responded by the teachers, it was found that teachers regularly used group work in teaching. The major source of knowledge the teachers acquired was from curriculum materials. According to the teachers opinions, there were 8 problems out of 10 problems which the teachers found in teaching and there were 6 problems out of 18 problems with needed to be solved most.