Development of Faculty of Education of Northeastern University through Professional Learning Community Process

Abstract

The objectives of this research were 1) to study the present and the desirable condition of the Faculty of Education of Northeastern University, 2) to develop the faculty through PLC process, and 3) to assess the results. The study used PAR (Participatory Action Research) with the sample of selected groups of 6 administrators, 27 instructors, and 378 students with a total of 411 persons altogether. The research results were as follows: Regarding the present condition, the faculty has been traditionally embedded in family culture with the faculty vision of “Being a Professional Learning Community”, but, still, seriously underperformed in research work and English proficiency; therefore, the desirable condition was to have research work and English competency meet the national higher education standards that ultimately lead to being professionals. As for the results of the development of the faculty through PLC process and PAR, the research works of all staffs and students were nationally acceptable and published in the journals of TCI group 1 and 2 and looking forward to and now making good progress to international level. Over 85% of staffs and students passed the Common European Framework of Reference for Language test required by Thai Higher Education Commission. The development will be on-going and moving toward international level. In sum, the development of research work and English competency of the staffs and students in the Faculty of Education of Northeastern University through PLC process and PAR was academically and professionally effective. The study is rewarding.