LIFELONG LEARNER CULTIVATION: A PROCEDURAL MODEL FOR THAI MEDICINE WISDOM TEACHERS

Abstract

The encouragement of continuous learning in Thailand has been emphasized for over decades. However, its focus has been only placed on formal education. Although it has been argued that non-formal and informal education could better respond to Thais’ lifelong learning approach, the study in this context is still neglected. Therefore, this qualitative research aims to propose a procedural model of lifelong learner cultivation based on a case study of Thai medicine wisdom teachers. The population of this study was 47 selected and honored Thai medicine wisdom teachers under the Office of the Education Council during 2001 and 2019, totaling nine batches. There were, however, 29 participants involved in the study. The data was collected through in-depth interviews and group discussions between 2018 and 2020, and it was analyzed using content analysis. The findings revealed that the procedural model for cultivating lifelong learners in this context consisted of four elements. The first element: operational concepts mainly focus on the potential, passion and ability of individuals in self-directed learning as well as the concept of transformative learning. The second element: the operational process contained three phases which were Phase 1: the period of cultivating attributes, Phase 2: the period of changing a set of ideas/beliefs and behaviors, and Phase 3: the period of behavioral expression. The third element: the operational support mechanism consisted of four main parties including family, educational institution, responsible agency, and community. The last element: operational factors and conditions were associated with personal and environmental factors.