The Development of a Blended Learning Model via Social Media for Graduate Students in the School of Educational Studies at Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University

Abstract

The purposes of this research were to: 1) develop a blended learning model via social media for graduate students in the School of Educational Studies at Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University; 2) study the learning achievements of the graduate students; 3) determine the opinions of the graduate students; and 4) evaluate the developed instructional model. The research sample consisted of 30 graduate students from the School of Educational Studies at Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University, selected through simple random sampling, as well as 7 specialists and 3 experts. The research instruments included guidelines for focus group discussions, a blended learning model via social media, a learning achievement test, an opinion survey, and a quality evaluation form. The statistics used for data analysis were the percentage, mean, standard deviation, t-test, and content analysis. The research results were as follows: 1) the developed blended learning model via social media comprised 7 components: (1) face-to-face learning, (2) online learning via social media, (3) collaborative learning, (4) learning content, (5) support materials and resources, (6) communication, and (7) evaluation. The model had 3 operational steps: (1) input analysis, (2) learning process, and (3) output evaluation; 2) the students’ post-learning achievement scores were significantly higher than their pre-learning scores at the .05 level of statistical significance; 3) the students rated the model's appropriateness at a high level; and 4) the experts evaluated the quality of the developed instructional model at the highest level.