The Participatory Development of Professional Learning Community Platform for Schools in Chiang Mai

Main Article Content

Saiphon Sanjaiprom

Abstract

This research aimed to: (1) investigate the current states and needs for developing the Professional Learning Community (PLC) process, (2) develop a PLC management platform, and (3) study the results of its implementation. The sample consisted of 377 teachers and school administrators in Chiang Mai Province, using a stratified random sampling method. Research instruments included a questionnaire, focus group discussion records, and a platform evaluation form. Quantitative data were analyzed using mean and standard deviation, while qualitative data were analyzed through content analysis. Findings indicated that current PLC implementation was at a moderate level in teacher-related (M = 2.77, SD = 1.09) and management aspects (M = 3.12, SD = 0.73), while the supportive atmosphere was high (M = 3.98, SD = 0.80). Teachers expressed a need to deepen their understanding of PLC and improve digital tools for task submission. The developed platform featured two main components: (1) a management function encompassing awareness building, understanding enhancement, goal setting, planning, supervision, reflection, and certification; and (2) an online task submission system including member registration, PLC team entries, logbook records, summary reporting, and research documentation. Expert evaluation affirmed its high suitability and feasibility. Post-implementation results showed strong effectiveness in knowledge development (M = 4.77), school management (M = 4.72), online submission (M = 4.88), and teacher–student behavioral outcomes (M = 4.83). The study highlights the platform’s potential as a practical and scalable tool for enhancing PLC practices in diverse educational contexts.

Article Details

Section
Research Articles

References

Alsarawi, A. (2019). A process, framework, and set of tools for facilitating co-planning among

co-teachers. International Journal of Whole Schooling, 15(2), 1–23. https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1218543.pdf

Apiparinya, P., & Sudrung, J. (2019). A study of the state and problems of professional

learning community of schools under the Secondary Educational Service Area Office 1 and 2 in Bangkok. An Online Journal of Education, 14(2), 1–12. https://so01.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/OJED/article/view/193342/158406

Barber, M. (2009). The challenge of achieving world-class performance: Education in the 21st century [Presentation]. McKinsey & Company.

Carpenter, J. P., Shelton, C. C., & Schroeder, S. E. (2022). The education influencer: A new

player in the educator professional landscape. Journal of Research on Technology in Education, 54(4), 1–17. https://doi.org/10.1080/15391523.2022.2030267

Chananil, S., & Nethanomsak, T. (2022). Is PLC really good for the development of Thai

education research and development? Journal of Suan Sunandha Rajabhat University, 14(1), 68–81.

https://so05.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/irdssru/article/view/253188

Cheng, C. K. (2008). The effect of shared decision-making on the improvement in teachers’

job development. New Horizons in Education, 56(3), 31–46. https://eric.ed.gov/?id=EJ832908

Chookhampang, C. (2022). Learning community to classroom research. Chulalongkorn

University Press.

Cloke, H. (2023). John Dewey’s learning theory: How we learn through experience. Growth

Engineering. https://www.growthengineering.co.uk/john-dewey/

Cohen, J. M., & Uphoff, N. T. (1981). Rural Development Participation: Concept and Measure

for Project Design Implementation and Evaluation: Rural Development

Committee Center for international Studies. New York: Cornell University Press.

Chanraeng, T. ., (Chaiwichit Sopharat), P. D. C. J. ., (Duangchan Boonteam), P. S. ., Harukhamja, P. ., Siridechanont, P. ., & Techabenjarat, K. . (2024). Stateless Thai: Understanding and addressing ethnic inequity in Wiang Haeng District, Chiang Mai Province. Dhammathas Academic Journal, 24(2), 1–14. https://so06.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/dhammathas/article/view/269105

Dove, M. K., Zorotovich, J., & Gregg, K. (2018). School community connectedness and family

participation at school. World Journal of Education, 8(1), 49–57. https://doi.org/10.5430/wje.v8n1p49

Gore, J., Lloyd, A., Smith, M., Bowe, J., Ellis, H., & Lubans, D. (2021). Improving student

achievement through professional development: Results from a randomised controlled trial of Quality Teaching Rounds. Teaching and Teacher Education, 101, 103297. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tate.2021.103297

Hallinger, P., & Lee, M. (2014). Mapping instructional leadership in Thailand: Has education

reform impacted principal practice? Educational Management Administration & Leadership, 42(1), 6–29. https://doi.org/10.1177/1741143213502196

Hipp, K., & Huffman, J. (2003). Professional learning communities: Assessment development

effects (Paper presentation). International Congress for School Effectiveness and Improvement, Sydney, Australia. https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/ED482255.pdf

Jongmesuk, A., & Khanthap, J. (2021). The guideline development of teachers for learning

management by applying the PLC of the Secondary Educational Service Area Office 3. Journal of Educational Administration and Supervision, Mahasarakham University, 12(1), 81–91. https://so20.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/JAD/article/view/171

Kanda, K., Thadatontichok, T., & Yuenyaw, P. (2023). The academic leadership of school

administrators affecting the PLC of teachers under the Samut Sakhon Primary Educational Service Area Office. Journal of the Institute for Development of Buddhist Scholars, 6(1), 15–27. https://so06.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/tmd/article/view/260538

Limprasong, N. (2020). Model to drive of the Professional Learning Community process.

Journal of MCU Peace Studies, 8(5), 1959–1972.

https://so03.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/journal-peace/article/view/240912/166949

Mitari, N., Dhanapañño, P., & Ngamprakhon, S. (2023). Professional learning community to

manage learning in schools. Journal of Bovorn Multi-Education and Human Social Sciences, 4(2), 228–237.

https://so03.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/JOB_EHS/article/view/273984

Montriphakdi, W. (2024). The developing a professional learning community model to

promote proactive learning management at Roi Et school for the deaf. Interdisciplinary Academic and Research

Journal, 4(6), 815–830. https://doi.org/10.60027/iarj.2024.279884

Mougim, W., Wongsakul, S., & Jarungnanthakal, S. (2022). The role of school administrators

affecting the professional community at schools under the Secondary Educational Service Area Office Phra Nakhon Si

Ayutthaya. Journal of Educational Review, 9(2), 231–242. https://so02.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/EDMCU/article/view/249148

Nawarat, N., et al. (2021). Unspoken inequalities: Effects of online learning responses to

COVID-19 on migrant children and their families, Chiang Mai, Thailand

https://doi.org/10.56868/jadhur.v1i1.13

Nuchampan, W., Musikanon, C., & Wikhakato, P. (2020). Development of testing management

system of the Army Finance School using digital platform. Journal of Social Science and Buddhistic Anthropology, 5(10), 81–96.

https://so04.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/JSBA/article/view/245990

Panjapong, T., Khantharee, N., Singpan, P., Masena, C., & Taojan, S. (2024). A model of

PLC of teachers’ learning management by using digital technology in basic educational institutions. Journal of Liberal Arts, Prince of Songkla University, 16(2), 1–14. https://doi.org/10.14456/jlapsu.2024.13

Perathoranich, C. (2024). Development for academic administration to promote the

PLC in the teaching profession at Muangphetchaburi municipal schools. Journal of MCU Ubon Review, 9(1), 715–727. https://so06.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/mcjou/article/view/273533/182776

Phangphol, T., & Phakamach, N. (2021). The development of digital platform of an external

educational quality assurance systems for higher education in Thailand. Journal of Science Ladkrabang, 30(2), 25–31.

https://li01.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/science_kmitl/article/view/248248

Phabu, A., Chutchaipolrat, A., & Chanawong, K. (2024). Factors affecting the professional

learning community of schools under the Nakhonratchasima Primary Educational Service Area Office. Journal of Buddhist Philosophy Evolved, 8(2), 118–130. http://ojs.mbu.ac.th/index.php/jbpe/article/view/2641

Phothong, W., Yamkasikorn, M., Rattanapinyowanich, T., Werathummo, A., & Pitchayapirath, P.

(2021). The evaluation of teacher profession development from implementing PLC (PLC) from the Teacher Council of Thailand’s Teacher Networks. Journal of UBRU Educational Review, 1(1), 53–63.

https://so03.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/jrcd/article/view/249241/169183

Phongsakornrangsilp, P., Phongsakornrangsilp, S., & Panpumisap, P. (2019). Factors important

to the application of digital platform of hotel business in Krabi Province. Thai International Journal of Tourism Academic, 15(1), 167–186.

https://so02.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/jitt/article/view/174921/140249

Sapapud, S., & Wangthanomsak, M. (2021). The administration of professional learning

communities in secondary school. Journal of Education Silpakorn University, 19(1), 463–480.

https://so02.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/suedujournal/article/view/251086/169192

Secretariat of the Teachers’ Council of Thailand. (2020). Report writing documents for

professional learning communities for higher education mentors. Bangkok: Secretariat of the Teachers’ Council of Thailand.

Somngam, T., & Meekun, K. (2024). The factors promoting membership of teacher’s

professional learning communities in educational institutions under the Secondary Educational Service Area Office Bangkok 2. Journal of Buddhist Education and Research, 10(4), 200–211.

https://so06.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/jber/article/view/279209

Suansumran, S., Sikkhabandit, S., & Bunchakettikul, N. (2024). Participatory engagement of

school committees in learning resource management based on the sufficiency economy philosophy. EDMCU Journal, 12(1), 45–60.

https://so02.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/EDMCU/article/view/269610

Tangtong, K., Dee-aim, K., & Naebnean, T. (2023). A study of problems of the implementation

of PLC principle in schools under the Office of Suphanburi Primary Educational Service Area 3. Education Journal, 6(2), 170–181.

https://so02.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/edunsrujo/article/view/260606

Tantichuwet, P. (2023). School and professional learning community. Nonthaburi: Siam

Chulamonthon Co., Ltd.

Thanapiyawanich, A., Polnigongit, W., & Ruksasuk, N. (2020). Digital platform in developing

growth mindset and self-fulfilling prophecy to promote self-efficacy of cooperative education students. Journal of Social Communication Innovation, 8(1), 180–196. https://so06.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/jcosci/article/view/243145/164945

Trust, T., Krutka, D. G., & Carpenter, J. P. (2016). “Together we are better”: Professional

learning networks for teachers. Computers & Education, 102, 15–34. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compedu.2016.06.007

Trust, T., & Whalen, J. (2020). Should teachers be trained in emergency remote teaching?

Lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic. Journal of Technology and Teacher Education, 28(2), 189–199. https://www.learntechlib.org/p/215995/

Tupthai, T., & Chansirisira, P. (2025). Participatory school management for academic

effectiveness in PAO schools: A needs-based study in Northeast Thailand. Journal of Education and Learning, 14(5), 348–364. https://doi.org/10.5539/jel.v14n5p348

Usuwan, S., Pongpitaya, K., & Thepsaeng, S. (2023). Development of learning management in

the 21st century using the Professional Learning Community (PLC). Romphruek Journal of the Humanities and Social Sciences, 41(3), 149–168.

https://so05.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/romphruekj/article/view/260728

Vangrieken, K., Meredith, C., Packer, T., & Kyndt, E. (2022). Teacher communities as a context

for professional development: A systematic review. Teaching and Teacher Education, 120, 103872. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tate.2022.103872

Wongrugsa, A., Meesuk, P., & Wangkaewhiran, T. (2022). The success factors and outcomes of

the PLC type of professional teachers and educational personnel development of the Teachers’ Council of Thailand. Panyapiwat Journal, 14(2), 245–258. https://so05.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/pimjournal/article/view/250929

Yamkasikorn, M. (2016). Professional learning community lecture notes [Lecture notes].

Department of Local Administration Promotion, Ministry of Interior.

Yimsawat, C., Nawarat, N., & Thongyou, M. (2020). Toward educational equity for ethnic

groups in the highlands of Northern Thailand. Chiang Mai University Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities, 7(1), 1–15. https://doi.org/10.12982/CMUJASR.2019.0010