The Guidelines to Promote the Perception of the Bio-Circular-Green Economy (BCG) Model of Student Teachers in Thailand

Abstract

The research aimed to 1) study the student teachers’ level of perception relating to the Bio-Circular-Green (BCG) economy model in Thailand, 2) analyze the factors influencing the perception of the BCG economy model, and 3) synthesis the principles to promote the perception of the BCG economy model. The research used a mixed method. The quantitative sample was 500 student teachers who collected the data by a questionnaire. Descriptive statistics and stepwise multiple regression analyzed the data. In addition, the qualitative data were collected through focus group discussions with 15 participants, such as course coordinators and lecturers, student teachers, and experts in driving the BCG economy model. The qualitative data were analyzed through content analysis. The research results found that 1) the level of perception of the BCG economy model was at a high level overall. Especially, the three main perceptions (basic concepts, vision and strategic goals, and driven strategies) were at a high level. 2) According to the stepwise multiple regression analysis, the six factors that predicted the perception of the BCG economy model at a significant level of .05 were family support, institute administrators, lecturers, interaction of lecturers and students, extracurricular activities, and role models of prominent figures. It explained that the variance of perception was 58.2 percent (R² = .582). 3) The principal's encouragement included family support through activities; interaction of lecturer and student based on the Constructivism and Social Learning Approaches; integration of the BCG economy model in curriculum and project-based and problem-based learning processes; environmental development in the university to permit the environmental learning; organizing extracurricular activities in participation; and using lecture and administrators as practical role models in driving BCG economy model. The results reflected that the perception encouragement of the BCG economy model among student teachers requires holistic integration of all sectors to strengthen teachers' role models in sustainable development