Enhancing 6Cs Skills through a Transnational Design Thinking Online Program in Higher Education Program among Thai and Taiwanese EFL Learners

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Krittika Inta
Arpasri Tewata
Sumana Sorathiwa
Tawan Watakit
Supornphan Konchiab

บทคัดย่อ

The objectives of this research were to 1) analyze and compare the levels of the 6Cs skills perceived by EFL students before and after participating in the transnational design thinking online program in higher education, and 2) to examine the concordance between facilitators' evaluation and students' self-assessment regarding 6Cs skills following participation in the program for 10 days. Using a quantitative approach, the data were collected from 28 Thai and Taiwanese EFL learners from two universities. The research instruments were pre- and post-self-assessments, and facilitators’ evaluation. The statistical analysis revealed that students' self-assessment scores before and after the program differed significantly at the 0.05 level. The average scores after the program improved in the following areas: communication skills, critical thinking and problem-solving skills, creativity and innovation skills, and conceptual understanding, respectively. However, there was no significant difference in the average scores for collaboration and intercultural communication skills before and after the program. In addition, when comparing the facilitators’ evaluation with the students’ post-self-assessment, both showed consistent results. The highest ratings were found in collaboration and intercultural communication skills. Meanwhile, communication, critical thinking and problem-solving, as well as creativity and innovation were rated at a high level. However, the facilitators' evaluation of conceptual understanding differed from the students’ post-self-assessment. In conclusion, integrating design thinking into EFL learning can enhance learners’ communication, creativity, and collaboration skills, supporting language and skill development. Moreover, implementing ongoing DT cycles and reflection in language classrooms can help cultivate future competencies that support lifelong learning.

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Krittika Inta, Rajamangala University of Technology Lanna

Miss Krittika Inta graduated from Chiang Mai University, Thailand, in 2010 with a Master of Education in Teaching English. She has experience teaching English for 20 years and has worked with the community for several years. Now, she is an English lecturer at RMUTL specializing in teaching English , Active Learning, Design Thinking and Social Innovation. She was also trained and got a certificate as a facilitator in Design Thinking from Singapore and facilitated many international exchange projects. Her research interests include EFL, intercultural Communication, Social Innovation, and Design Thinking.

Arpasri Tewata, Rajamangala University of Technology Lanna

Miss Arpasri Tewata lecturer in the Business Administration Program, majoring in Business Management, at the Faculty of Business Administration and Liberal Arts, Rajamangala University of Technology Lanna (RMUTL), Chiang Mai, Thailand. With expertise in Business Administration, Marketing, Management, and Design Thinking, she has been actively engaged in both academic and community development initiatives. Her research interests encompass community economic development, consumer behavior. She was also trained and got a certificate as a facilitator in Design Thinking from Singapore and facilitated many international exchange projects.

Sumana Sorathiwa, Rajamangala University of Technology Lanna

Miss Sumana Sorathiwa earned her LL.B. from Thammasat University and LL.M. in Digital Law from Chiang Mai University. She is currently a junior lecturer at RMUTL, teaching Business Law, Commercial Law, International Trade Law, and International Business Ethics. With prior experience as an International Relations Officer, she actively conducts international exchange programs and promotes cross-cultural learning. She incorporates design thinking and activity-based learning in her teaching and holds a certification in Design Thinking from Singapore Polytechnic. Her research interests include digital law, international trade, legal education, and the application of innovative, experiential teaching methods in higher education.

Tawan Watakit, Rajamangala University of Technology Lanna

Tawan Watakit earned his Ph.D. in Psychology from Chulalongkorn University in 2014. He also holds a Master of Science in Counseling Psychology (2004) and a Bachelor of Education in English (2000) from Chiang Mai University, Thailand. In addition, he received a certificate as a facilitator in Design Thinking from Singapore. With over two decades of academic and counseling experience. With over two decades of academic and counseling experience. He has consistently contributed to both psychological education and community development. He currently serves as a lecturer and the Associate Dean for Research and Academic Services at the Faculty of Business Administration and Liberal Arts, Rajamangala University of Technology Lanna (RMUTL). His areas of expertise include education, counseling psychology, holistic well-being, self-esteem enhancement, and therapeutic program development.

Supornphan Konchiab, Rajamangala University of Technology Lanna

ssist. Prof. Dr. Supornphan Konchiab is a lectuer in English for International Communication Program, Rajamangala University of Technology Lanna. She graduated in PhD (Education) from Massey University, NZ, in 2015. She has experience teaching English as a Foreign Language for 25 years. Her research interests include ESP, Action Research, and Design Thinking. She was also trained and certified as a Design Thinking facilitator in Design Thinking from Singapore. She has facilitated Thai and International students learning through Design Thinking in many international exchange projects.

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