SELF - DIRECTED LEARNING BEHAVIORS IN THE USE OF DIGITAL MEDIA AMONG TEACHER TRAINING STUDENTS, FACULTY OF EDUCATION, NAKHON SI THAMMARAT RAJABPHAT UNIVERSITY

Abstract

The objectives of this research were: 1) to examine the current and desired states of self - directed learning behaviors in using digital media among pre - service teachers, 2) to analyze the priority needs of self - directed learning behaviors, and 3) to propose strategies to promote such behaviors. This study employed a quantitative research method. The sample consisted of 204 pre - service teachers from the Faculty of Education, Nakhon Si Thammarat Rajabhat University in the academic year 2025, selected by simple random sampling based on Krejcie and Morgan’s table. The research instrument was a five - point Likert scale questionnaire. Data were analyzed using frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation, and the modified Priority Need Index (PNI modified). The findings revealed that the overall current state of self - directed learning behaviors in using digital media was at a high level (mean = 3.80, S.D. = 0.48), while the desired state was at the highest level (mean = 4.59, S.D. = 0.41). The overall priority need index (PNI) was 0.21. The suggested guidelines for development indicated that: 1) the design and development of learning activities and methods were the most needed skills for improvement, 2) the digital media that pre - service teachers preferred to develop for facilitating instruction included interactive media, games, gamification, and active learning, and 3) new - generation pre - service teachers should be encouraged to develop creative digital media design and production skills.