Development of Research-based Blended Learning Model to Enhance Graduate Students’ Research Competency and Critical Thinking Skills

This paper is a report on the findings of a Research and Development (R&D) aiming to develop the model of Research-Based Blended Learning (RBBL) to enhance graduate students’ research competency and critical thinking skills, to study the result of using such model, and to purpose the RBBL model. The sample consisted of 10 experts in the fields during the model developing stage, while there were 28 graduate students of KMUTNB for the model try out stage. The research procedures included 4 phases: 1) literature review, 2) model development, 3) model experiment, and 4) model revision and confirmation. The research results were divided into 3 parts according to the procedures as described in the following session. First, the data gathering from the literature review were reported as a draft model; followed by the research finding from the experts’ interviews indicated that the model should be included 8 components and 9 procedures to develop research competency and critical thinking skills. The 8 components were 1) Virtual Learning Environment (VLE), 2) Cloud Learning Management System (CLMS), 3) learning courseware, 4) learning resources, 5) scaffolding, 6) communication, 7) learning assessment, and 8) RBBL activity; while the procedures included: 1) Introduction, 2) Storyboards, 3) Keynote lectures, 4) Resources for Information and Communication Technologies, 5) Faculty Consultants, 6) Reflective Blog, 7) Assessment, 8) Presentation of Storyboard work, 9) Examination. Second, the research finding from the experimental stage found that there were statistically significant difference of the research competency and critical thinking skills posttest scores over the pretest scores at the .05 level. The students agreed that learning with the RBBL model was at a high level of satisfaction. Third, according to the finding from the experimental stage and the comments from the experts, the developed model was revised and proposed in the report for further implication and references.