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Teaching and Learning
Local Curriculum Regarding Dugong and Seagrass for Schools in the Coastal Area, Trang Province, Thailand
October 14, 2022
Indicator 14.5.3
Dugongs are rare animals found in Thailand. The Libong-Muk Islands in Trang province have the highest dugong population. Due to their low reproduction rate, dugongs are on the verge of extinction. Furthermore, dugong mortality is high; it has been reported that the dugong mortality rate is around 15 per year. Dugong conservation is thus critical for Thailand. Many strategies were implemented, including raising dugong biology awareness in coastal communities.
Rajamangala University of Technology Srivijaya (RUTS) in collaboration with primary and secondary schools located along the coast of Andaman Sea, Trang Province developed the local curricula on dugong and seagrass. The project was led by Associate Professor Dr. Natthita Rojchanaprasart and the academic staff of RUTS to join with science teachers of primary and secondary schools to create a local curriculum regarding dugong and seagrass conservation.
Development of local curriculum regarding dugong and seagrass was based on system theory which composed of 4 main components: 1) input was dugong and seagrass knowledge which mixed between indigenous and academic knowledge; 2) process was five steps in local curriculum development: creating, verifying, trying out and monitoring, evaluating, and improving local curriculum; 3) outputs were local curriculum and teachers; and 4) outcome was student.
In terms of output, there were 3 main findings: 1) local curriculum about dugong and seagrass had good quality; 2) teachers' knowledge about dugong and seagrass in posttest was higher than the pretest from participation in local curriculum development; and 3) teachers' satisfaction towards local curriculum about dugong and seagrass was in high level.
In terms of outcome, there were 2 main findings: 1) learning achievement in science subject regarding dugong and seagrass of primary students and secondary students was higher than 70% of total scores, and 2) students' satisfaction towards local curriculum about dugong and seagrass was in high level.
Presently, RUTS has been collaborating with the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources (DMCR) to promote a regional curriculum for dugong and seagrass conservation in coastal schools. The results of curriculum development are very good and satisfactory, and they can be used in the teaching process to increase dugong and seagrass knowledge.
Related Links: https://mgronline.com/south/detail/9640000009996
http://www.tcnewsstation.com/?p=128660
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