The Development of Web-Based Instruction for Students at College of Muay Thai and Thai Traditional Medicine, Muban Chom Bueng Rajabhat University C. Yomdit1 and P. Nilsook2 1 Muban Chombueng Rajabhat University, Ratchaburi, Thailand (
[email protected]) 2 King Mongkut’s University of Technology North Bangkok, Bangkok, Thailand (prachyanunn@)kmutnb.ac.th) that students were satisfied with every aspect of web-based instruction.
ABSTRACT This research aimed to develop webbased instruction for undergraduate students at the College of Muay Thai and Thai Traditional Medicine, Muban Chombueng Rajabhat University. To conduct this research, 30 first year students majoring in Muay Thai were selected sample and were randomized by simple random sampling. The statistics implemented were mean (X), standard deviation (SD) and standard criteria of 80/80. Research Findings ; Regarding the development of web-based instruction for Muay Thai and Thai Traditional Medicine students in 4 subjects i.e. Thai wisdom of selfdefense, science and art in Thai selfdefense, sport science of Muay Thai and computer skills for postgraduate students, experts evaluated that the websites’ quality had a total average of 77.34 which was considered to be of good level. The effectiveness of webbased instruction met the criteria of 80/80. This score was measured by both formative and summative tests. To analyze the figure in details, the effectiveness of web-based instruction in Thai wisdom of self-defense was at 89.17/ 85.21 per cent, that of science and art in Thai self-defense was at 88.95/ 87.78 per cent, that of sport science of Muay Thai was at 85.33/ 80.67 per cent and that of computer skills for postgraduate student was at 83.14/ 85.71 percent. Overall, students found web-based instruction satisfactory. Regarding each aspect, it was reported
Keywords Web-based , Web-based instruction, Muay Thai, Thai Traditional Medicine. 1) INTRODUCTION Since 2005, Muban Chom Bueng Rajabhat University has operated the College of Muay Thai offering a graduate level major in Muay Thai and Thai wisdom. Muban Chom Bueng Rajabhat University began to operate Muay Thai as a graduate diploma program, as well as at master’s degree level, to satisfy the need of those who value Muay Thai. After its success, Muban Chom Bueng Rajabhat University continued to carry out doctorate degree in Muay Thai so that learners and those interested in this martial art would be assured of the progress of Muay Thai, and that Muay Thai teachers are produced to teach in universities. This program aims to satisfy the need of the learners, to meet the criteria of active socio-cultural development, to support Thai society, to increase competitive ability, and to be in accordance with the development plan mentioned in the 10th National Economic and Social Development Plan. Competitive strategies for Muay Thai will be underlined while developing its curriculum. To ameliorate the curriculum, postgraduate students are expected to enroll in the graduate school, and webbased instruction will also be emphasized. Both undergraduate and postgraduate programs are provided. The college was 201
Web-based instruction has played a vital role in educational systems. In the past, students and teachers had to be together in order to give or gain instruction in any particular subject; however, not everybody had an opportunity to attend schools. With the advent of web-based instruction, together with a learnercentered concept, anyone can learn anywhere at any time (Aggarwal and Bento, 2002). Mostly, the development of e-learning does not reach the level of allowing learners to communicate promptly. Learners could only read from the websites. This brought about a lack of conversation (Liberati, 2004). Another drawback to online-learning is that learners may still be confused, and may not have an accurate conceptualization. It is difficult to organize content which offers a challenge at an appropriate level. Instructors are to give advice and clarify the advantages of web-based instruction (Bonk Wisher and Lee, 2004). It is required that web-based instruction be designed systematically by experts in particular subjects. The media are required to cover the content of all subjects. Then, they will be considered effective media which are of high quality. The College of Muay Thai and Thai Traditional Medicine has offered a bachelor, master and doctorate degree in Muay Thai and Thai wisdom since 2005. The co-operation of learningteaching network has also been developed in Nakorn Ratchasima, Sisaket, Prae, Bangkok and at Muban Chom Bueng Rajabhat University. There are a vast number of students going on to Muay Thai tournaments; thus, web-based instruction can facilitate learning for these students since they can learn anywhere at any time. At present, both Thais and foreigners are interested in this curriculum. So as to satisfy their need, researchers have conducted research and developed the web-based instruction of Master of Arts in Muay Thai so that this sort of Thai wisdom and culture becomes better-known
renamed the College of Muay Thai and Thai Traditional Medicine when Thai Traditional Medicine was taught as a major subject. Apart from its main duty, The College of Muay Thai and Thai Traditional Medicine is in charge of offering academic service to communities in many provinces as well as collaborating with governmental or private organizations in conducting research on Muay Thai and other related fields. The service also includes organizing Keeta Muay Thai competition, Wai Kru and Muay Thai skills contests. Training is also provided for producing Muay Thai trainers, with an emphasis on teaching this martial to children as well. Undergraduate students majoring in Muay Thai, and those from other faculties interested in Thai boxing, are encouraged to demonstrate this kind of self-defense to the public and teach Muay Thai to foreigners. Yomdit (2008) pointed out clearly that there were no permanent lecturers working for College of Muay Thai and Thai Traditional Medicine. It is, therefore, vital to produce qualified instructors by encouraging those who have master and doctorate degrees in this field to teach in the undergraduate program which is expected to open soon. The program mentioned aims to accept former professional boxers and grant them scholarship. At present, numerous exboxers are imprisoned and there are some working for casinos in Thailand and foreign countries. This undergraduate curriculum has been established to support former boxers and help them lead a more virtuous life i.e. by working legally. A large number of Muay Thai trainers are hired overseas. Thai boxing has now become internationally recognized owing to foreigners’ interest in Thai martial arts; consequently, they are willing to take courses at the College of Muay Thai and Thai Traditional Medicine. The college has made plans for setting distance learning for master’s degree in Thailand and overseas. 202
in Thailand and in the whole world.
6) CONCEPTUAL RESEARCH FRAMEWORK
2) PURPOSE OF THE STUDY Independent variable - Web-based instruction for students at College of Muay Thai and Thai Traditional Medicine.
To develop web-based instruction for students taking courses at the College of Muay Thai and Thai Traditional Medicine, Muban Chom Bueng Rajabhat University. To examine students’ learning outcome after giving web-based instruction. To examine students’ satisfaction of webbased instruction. To evaluate the quality and efficiency of web-based instruction.
Dependent variables - Learning outcome after giving webbased instruction - Learners’ satisfaction of web-based instruction - Web-based instruction’s efficiency.
The development of web-based instruction system - Learning management system through websites - Analysis - Design - Development - Application - Evaluation
3) SCOPE OF THE STUDY To meet the objectives of the study, 30 undergraduate students majoring in Muay Thai and those who are enrolled in Muay Thai web-based instruction program, Muban Chom Bueng Rajabhat University are selected subjects in this research study.
Courses - Thai wisdom of self-defense - Science and art in Thai self-defense - Sport science of Muay Thai - Computer for postgraduate students
4) VARIABLES Independent variable: Web-based instruction for students at College of Muay Thai and Thai Traditional Medicine. Dependent variables: 4.1) Learning outcome after giving webbased instruction. 4.2) Web-based instruction’s efficiency. 4.3) Learners’ satisfaction of web-based instruction.
7) RESEARCH INSTRUMENTS To carry out this study, researchers have developed tools for conducting and developing web-based instruction for students at the College of Muay Thai and Thai Traditional Medicine, Muban Chom Bueng Rajabhat University. The tools are listed below: Websites which are designed for webbased instruction for students at the College of Muay Thai and Thai Traditional Medicine are as follow: Thai Wisdom of Self-Defense http://www.muaythai-mcru.com/elearning1 Science and Art in Thai Self-Defense http://www.muaythai-mcru.com/elearning2 Sport Science of Muay Thai http://www.muaythai-mcru.com/elearning3
5) VARIABLES Independent variable: Web-based instruction for students at College of Muay Thai and Thai Traditional Medicine. Dependent variables: 5.1) Learning outcome after giving webbased instruction 5.2) Web-based instruction’s efficiency 5.3) Learners’ satisfaction of web-based instruction
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80/80. This score was measured by both formative and summative tests. To analyze the figure in details, the effectiveness of web-based instruction in Thai wisdom of self-defense was at 89.17/ 85.21 percent, that of science and art in Thai self-defense was at 88.95/ 87.78 per cent, that of sport science of Muay Thai was at 85.33/ 80.67 per cent and that of computer skills for postgraduate student was at 83.14/ 85.71 percent. Overall, students found web-based instruction satisfactory. Regarding each aspect, it was reported that students were satisfied with every aspect of web-based instruction. The language used was the most satisfactory one, followed by content organization, font, color and tests respectively.
Computer skills for postgraduate students http://www.muaythai-mcru.com/elearning4 Expert evaluation form of online lessons, consisting of 25 items Tests on 4 subjects for evaluating learning outcome 7.1) Test of Thai Wisdom of Self-Defense (24 items) 7.2) Test of Science and Art in Thai SelfDefense (30 items) 7.3) Test of Sport Science of Muay Thai (20 items) 7.4) Test of Computer skills for postgraduate students (35 items) Evaluation form of students’ satisfaction of online lessons (32 items). 8) DESIGNING RESEARCH TOOLS Four websites designed for web-based instruction and three evaluation forms are implemented as research tools for this study. The processes of designing them are explained below: Moodle e-learning, a a free Open Source software package which has been widely used, was installed and used as the learning management system. The software used in installation processes are as follow: Moode version 1.92 which was the learning management system Data based system of MySQL version 5 Database management system of phpMyAdmin Linux operational system
10) DISCUSSION The development of web-based instruction aimed to provide students with online instruction in the field of Muay Thai. There are 4 courses offered: Thai Wisdom of Self-Defense, Science and Art in Thai Self-Defense, Sport Science of Muay Thai and Computer skills for postgraduate students. Experts evaluated that the websites’ quality had a total average of 77.34 which was considered to be of good level. The criteria used in evaluation process were similar to that implemented in the research conducted by Chanittha Chongpipatwanit, Theerapong Iamyang and Thotsaporn Duangsawat (2008). The evaluation form of electric instructional media developed by Surachet Wechapitak et al (2003), the Department of Curriculum and Instruction Development was used to assess the website’s quality. The assessment focused on 4 aspects: content, instructional design, web design and special techniques. According to the experts who were in charge of website evaluation, all four websites developed for the field of Muay Thai are at a good level. Thanks to Moodle program,
9) RESEARCH FINDINGS Regarding the development of web-based instruction for Muay Thai and Thai Traditional Medicine students in 4 subjects i.e. Thai wisdom of self-defense, science and art in Thai self-defense, sport science of Muay Thai and computer skills for postgraduate students, experts evaluated that the websites’ quality had a total average of 77.34 which was considered to be of good level. The effectiveness of web-based instruction met the criteria of 204
Thai traditional medicine to foreigners interested in these two subjects mentioned. The implementation of the research findings may be used as the pilot scheme for other faculties or sections to design web-based instruction. This kind of distance learning could lead to efficient and effective learning management which would be beneficial to students. Muban Chom Bueng Rajabhat University may develop web-based instruction for part-time students attending courses at other academic centers. This web-based instruction could play the role of main instruction media or additional one in order that students at other academic centers have other effective learning sources. Moreover, there will be various pedagogical approaches which are advantageous to students.
this web-based instruction works systematically. To develop Web-based instruction, Moodle, the online electronic instructional program, was implemented. Moodle provided effective pedagogical management and a member management system, a content management system, an activity organizing system, and other related systems were ameliorated and facilitated. Referring to Sopapan Sa-ad et al (2008), the effectiveness of web-based instruction of the College of Muay Thai and Thai Traditional Medicine met the criteria of 80/80. The data was collected from formative and summative tests. Also, the research conducted by Tawatchai Mooksri (2005) reiterated the effectiveness of the Rajabhat Institutes curriculum (Thawatchai Muksri, 2005) which included standardized computer assisted instruction through internet applied to teach computer science undergraduate students. Overall, students were satisfied with web-based instruction since it was brandnew. The use of technology to manage distance learning for Muay Thai and Thai Traditional Medicine students was beneficial. Web-based instruction was created owing to the fact that Muay Thai students working as professional boxers were in training programs, went on the tournaments and missed many classes. Thanks to its availability everywhere and at anytime, students have been able to learn efficiently. Web-based instruction was considered an innovation which meets the need of the learners and helps modernize teachers’ pedagogical approaches.
12) RECOMMENDATION FOR FURTHER RESEARCH It is suggested the research and development of web-based instruction for Muay Thai and Thai Traditional Medicine students examine websites’ conditions and focus on problems occurring while getting access to the websites. This would be useful and bring about efficient pedagogical management. Furthermore, Muay Thai practice is recommended to be integrated in webbased instruction for Muay Thai and Thai Traditional Medicine students so that students gain more experience. Muay Thai demonstration or simulation should be included in the web-based instruction in order that students have more experience and skills before practicing on their own.
11) POLICY SUGGESTIONS The College of Muay Thai and Thai Traditional Medicine will take research findings into account and continue to develop web-based instruction. This was the first step to distance learning which would promote the art of Muay Thai and
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