Enhancing EFL Learners' Critical Thinking and Speaking Skills Through Digital Storytelling in a Problem-Based Learning Framework
Keywords:
Problem-based learning method, Digital storytelling, Critical thinking, Speaking skillsAbstract
This study employed the Problem-based Learning Method (PBL) with Digital Storytelling (DST) as a learning innovation. Critical thinking, an essential 21st-century skill enables students to engage with complex ideas and make rational judgements. Likewise, speaking skills are vital for effective communication in the global market. Therefore, the study aims to compare the practical significance of the students’ critical thinking and speaking skills against a set criterion of seventy-five (75%) percent as well as to investigate the satisfaction of the students after using the PBL with DST. The study used a post-test only research design. Through cluster random sampling, three classes—M511, M512, and M514—comprising Grade 11 Thai students from the Foreign Language Program at Benjamarachutit School, Nakhon Si Thammarat were identified as the research population. From these classes, thirty (30) students from M512 were selected as the research sample. The data were collected through Critical Thinking Test, Speaking Skill Rubrics and Satisfaction Rating following an 18-hour implementation of the Problem-Based Learning Method with Digital Storytelling lesson plans. The data were analyzed using One-Sample t-test and descriptive statistics, comparing the mean and standard deviation to answer the research questions. The findings revealed that, after using PBL with DST and comparing to the set criterion of 75%, the students had developed their critical thinking with an overall percentage of 82.50% with a mean score of 16.50. Meanwhile, students’ speaking skills also showed improvement, with an overall percentage of 77% and a mean score of 15.40. The analysis component of critical thinking, along with the grammatical and lexical features, and corrective feedback and evaluation of speaking skills demonstrated the most significant development among the components. Additionally, the use of PBL with DST received a ‘Completely Satisfied’ rating from the students, with a mean score of 4.58. In conclusion, PBL with DST is an effective learning innovation to enhance EFL learners’ critical thinking and speaking skills.
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