The effects of problem-based and community-based social studies teaching to promote 21st-century skills in small school students

This study focused on designing a management approach for social studies instruction that incorporates problem-based learning alongside community-based learning. Additionally, examine the outcomes of instructing social studies through the integration of problem-based learning alongside community-based learning. This study employs an experimental design featuring a one-group pretest-posttest approach, involving students from five small schools located in the Hat Yai District, under the jurisdiction of the Office of the Primary Educational Service Area of Songkhla, Area 2. During the initial semester of the 2024 academic year, a total of 89 individuals were examined. The instruments utilized in the study included a teaching plan for social studies that incorporated problem-based learning alongside community-based learning, as well as an assessment form for 21st-century learner skills. Assessment of the Social Studies Achievement Test and the evaluation form regarding student satisfaction with instructional methods, utilizing the specified model, among other considerations. The analysis of the data involved the application of fundamental statistical methods, specifically percentage, mean, and standard deviation. The findings indicated that social studies instruction was structured through the integration of problem-based learning alongside community-based learning. Comprising four learning management plans, one six-week period, totaling 16 hours, the learning management process unfolds in five steps: Step 1: Addressing social studies scenarios, Step 2: Incorporating Concepts from Social Studies, Step 3: Creation of social studies project, Step 4: Sharing findings from social studies research, and Step 5: Finalizing the Social Studies Audit. The findings from the implementation of problem-based learning alongside community-based learning in social studies revealed that learners are developing essential skills for the 21st century. The post-test scores of the students showed a significant increase compared to their pre-test scores, achieving a statistical significance level of .01. Additionally, the students' social studies achievement after their study period was notably higher than their performance prior to studying, also at the .01 level. The findings from the investigation into students' satisfaction with the teaching and learning process revealed that the students reported the highest overall satisfaction (M = 4.58, SD = 0.24).