Abstract:
In order to achieve the educational reform, it is necessary to start in the classroom where teachers have to change the traditional classroom culture into the new one. The objectives of this research were to (1) compare the traditional classroom learning culture and the new classroom learning culture in five aspects: (a) the attitude and behavior of teachers, (b) the attitude and behavior of students, (c) the interaction between teachers and students, (d) interaction between students and students, and (e), the classroom environment; (2) synthesize the process of change in the learning culture in the classroom by implementing formative assessment; and (3), study the effects of applying the process of change in the learning culture in the classroom by implementing the formative assessment of student outcomes. The target group consisted of teachers, and Grade 2 and Grade 4 students of Ban Ko Kao School, Surin Province, from the 1st semester of academic year 2016. Video recordings and interview forms were used to collect data. Qualitative data were analyzed by content analysis; quantitative data were analyzed by computing means, standard deviations, and percentages.
The results revealed that
1. The comparative analysis of learning culture in the classroom indicated that the traditional classroom culture possessed the following characteristics: (a) teachers emphasized a transfer of knowledge to students; (b) students learned new knowledge by rehearsal; (c) students did not participate in classroom learning; (d) students did not help their classmates; and (e), the classroom environment was stressful. The new classroom learning culture presented the following characteristics: (a) teachers were facilitators; (b) students acquired new knowledge by doing; (c) students dared to show ideas or ask teachers; (d) students helped their classmates; and (e), students were happy to learn.
2. The synthesis of the process of changing classroom learning culture showed that there were six steps: (a) establishing inspiration among directors; (b) changing the attitude of teachers and in student learning; (c) applying the learning process integrated with formative assessment; (d) coaching and monitoring; (e) organizing the professional learning community; and (f) taking the lessons studiously. The school administrators' leadership as the driver.
3. The result of using the process of learning culture change in the classroom found that the 6-step process can be practical, students in Grade 2 and Grade 4 had good learning outcomes of 81.37% and 85.11%. The teachers' teaching behaviors have changed from the previous knowledge to be a designer of activities and facilitating learning, set the learning goal and success criteria, provided feedback to students making it possible to improve the quality of the work, while the students' learning behaviors have changed, namely, performing activities with group processes with enthusiasm for learning evaluated self-performance and evaluated friends' performance based on criteria. The works are updated all the time. The students dare to ask more teachers, friends and help friends in learning. The smart students are proud to explain to friends who are, not good at learn or weak to understand.