Factors affecting the reading culture of Liberal of Art Rajamangala University of Technology University in Bangkok

Abstract

: This research aimed to 1) study the reading behaviors of the undergraduate students of the Faculty of Liberal Arts at Rajamangala University of Technology Phra Nakhon 2) study factors affecting the reading of the undergraduate students of the Faculty of Liberal Arts at Rajamangala University of Technology Phra Nakhon 3) seek ways to promote reading behaviors of the undergraduate students of the Faculty of Liberal Arts at Rajamangala University of Technology Phra Nakhon. To answer the research questions, a mixed method was used. For quantitative data, the questionnaire approved by the experts was used. The data collected from 210 students of 1st to 4th year by the questionnaire were statistically analyzed by computer for frequency, percentage, mean and standard deviation. For qualitative data, the in-depth individual interviews of ten sampling students and a focus group discussion of six students were conducted. The findings were as follows: 1) the students’ reading behaviors were at a high level. Regarding each aspect, it was found that they read from the Internet sources at a high level; 2) the overall reading promoting factors were at a high level. Considering each aspect, it was revealed that the design of reading promoting activities was at the highest level. The quality of the reading materials was at a high level; and 3) regarding the reading promoting activities, role play was at the highest level. The other two respective activities were the use of quality reading materials from the Internet and a variety of reading activities that enable students’ rotation to participate in all activities. The qualitative research findings indicated that to serve the Thai language reading curriculum, the students needed a variety of substantial activities in which they could fully participate and they could perform role play based on plays. Regarding the quality of the materials, there should be a variety of the current Internet sources, and the contents must be relevant to the curriculum to ensure students’ learning and reading achievement.