A Feasibility Study for Offering New Forms of Seminar Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University

Abstract

               The objectives of this research were (1) to study the needs for attending new forms of seminar of graduate students of Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University (STOU); (2) to study the readiness for organizing new forms of seminar of instructors at the graduate level of STOU; and (3) to study the feasibility for offering new forms of seminar of STOU.  The research population comprised 1,985 graduate students who enrolled in the graduate study programs of STOU during the second semester of academic year 2013 and 195 instructors in the graduate study programs.  A questionnaire was employed as the data collecting instrument.  Statistics for data analysis were the frequency and percentage.  Also, a qualitative research method was employed for the feasibility study for offering new forms of seminar.  Data were collected from studying rules and regulations, announcements, and practice guidelines concerning new forms of seminar; interviewing STOU administrators; and conducting focus group discussion involving STOU personnel from the central campus as well as regional distance education centers.  Data were analyzed using content analysis method.

                Research findings showed that (1) regarding the needs of graduate students for attending new forms of seminar, it was found that the majority of respondents would like to preserve the traditional form of seminar which offered on Saturday and Sunday; (2) regarding the readiness for organizing new forms of seminar of graduate study instructors, it was found that the majority agreed with the offering of alternative seminar time on Monday to Friday evening after the official working hours; and (3) regarding the feasibility for offering new forms of seminar, it was feasible for offering the new form of seminar in the evening session, or after the official office hours of the working days (Monday to Friday); the seminar could be organized as special projects apart from the offering of traditional graduate study instruction, or to be organized as special cooperation projects with other institutions.