Master Project: A Study of Levels of Autonomy of Students at Santirat Wittayalai School Advisor: Jutarat Vibulphol, ph.D. Presenter: Miss Shi Xiaowei

Overview Contexts of the Study Methods Findings

Contexts of the Study Autonomy is one of the desirable characteristics required by Thai national curriculum (Ministry of Education, 2008). Challenge: Thai students are familiar with knowledge-oriented and teacher-centered instructions (Rukthong, 2008; Vansteemkiste, et al, 2005).

Santirat Wittayalai School Santirat Wittayalai School is a large-sized high school in central Bangkok. Grade 7-12 Approx. 2,400 students Co-ed school It promotes learner autonomy School curriculum Extra-curricula activity Facilities

School Curriculum Grades 7-9: Ss search information to complete tasks outside classroom.

School Curriculum (Cont’) Grades 10-12: Ss share & discuss topics based on their own interests.

Extra-curricula Activity English Club: Ss work in groups then share knowledge and come up with a project.

School Facilities E-learning center E-classroom English Resource Instruction Center (ERIC center) School library

Research Questions What are the levels of autonomy of students in different grades? 2. Do the levels of autonomy of students in different grades vary?

Significance of the Study The school can provide appropriate support such as materials & facilities. The school can help to enhance T’s capabilities to support Ss’ self learning. The instructors can adjust their instruction to enhance learner autonomy.

Methods Population: Ss in grades 7-12 at Santirat Wittayalai School in the academic year 2010. Participants: 345 Ss (149 male, 196 female)

Instrument: Autonomous Learning Scale (Macaskill & Taylor’s, 2010) 1. I enjoy finding information about new topics on my own. 2. I frequently find excuses for not getting down to work. 3. I am good at meeting deadlines. 4. My time management is good. 5. I am happy working on my own. 6. Even when tasks are difficult I try to stick with them. 7. I am open to new ways of doing familiar things. 8. I enjoy being set a challenge. 9. I plan my time for study effectively. 10. I tend to be motivated to work by assessment deadlines. 11. I take responsibility for my learning experiences. 12. I enjoy new learning experiences. Validity & Reliability check Back translation Pilot study

Criterion for Interpreting the Data 1.00-1.50 very low 1.51-2.50 low level 2.51-3.50 moderate 4.51-5.00 very high 3.51-4.50 high level

Findings: Research Question 1 Year of Study x S.D. Levels of Autonomous Learning Grade 7 3.33 0.52 Moderate Grade 8 3.34 0.37 Grade 9 3.22 0.42 Grade 10 3.27 0.46 Grade 11 3.12 0.38 Grade 12 3.56 0.41 High Overall 3.30 0.45

Discussion Most Ss showed autonomy at the moderate levels. - Asian culture may affect learner’s autonomy (Rukthong, 2008).

Findings: Research Question 2 The results from ANOVA: Sum of Squares df Mean Square F Sig. Between Groups 5.280 5 1.056 5.663 .000 Within Groups 63.218 339 .186 Total 68.498 344 The levels of autonomy of students in each grade were significantly different.

Findings: Research Question 2(Cont’) The results from Post Hoc Tests: (I) GRADE (J) GRADE Mean Difference (I-J) Std. Error Sig. 95% Confidence Interval   Lower Bound Upper Bound grade12 grade7 .2334 .08218 .156 -.0417 .5085 grade8 .2230 .08274 .205 -.0539 .5000 grade9 .3368(*) .08116 .005 .0651 .6085 grade10 .2905(*) .08566 .045 .0038 .5772 grade11 .4377(*) .08910 .000 .1394 .7359 *. The mean difference is significant at the .05 level. Twelfth grade students showed the level of autonomy significantly varied from students in grade 9, 10 and 11.

Discussion Ss of grade 12 showed autonomy at the high level. - Motivation may affect autonomy of Ss in grade 12.

Limitation Some participants might not pay adequate attention when they completed the questionnaire.

Further Study Study the factors that may affect high level of autonomy of Ss in grade 12. Collect data from English language instructors to investigate how they conceptualize and support autonomy in their instruction.

References Ministry of Education. (2008). The Basic Education Core Curriculum of 2008. Bangkok: Ministry of Education. Rukthong, A. (2008). Readiness for Autonomous Language Learning-Thai University Learners' Beliefs about EFL Learning & Use of Learning Strategies. Bangkok: Mahidol University. Vansteenkiste, M., Zhou, M.M., Lens, W., & Soenens, B. (2005). Experiences of Autonomy and Control Among Chinese Learners: Vitalizing or Immobilizing? Journal of Educational Psychology, 97 (3), 468-483.