Title: The development of social emotional learning programs in a cross-cultural elementary classroom

Authors: Saowanee Pinchumphonsang; Sumalee Chanchalor

Addresses: Division of Learning Innovation and Technology, Faculty of Industrial Education and Technology, King Mongkut's University of Technology Thonburi, 126 Pracha-Uthit Road, Bang Mod, Thung Khru, Bangkok 10140, Thailand ' Division of Learning Innovation and Technology, Faculty of Industrial Education and Technology, King Mongkut's University of Technology Thonburi, 126 Pracha-Uthit Road, Bang Mod, Thung Khru, Bangkok 10140, Thailand

Abstract: The purpose of this study was to develop an intervention to improve the SEL skills of learners in a cross-cultural school context. The study involved the development and trial of an intervention program designed to develop social emotional skills. Participants were 30 Thai learners as well as six learners from Myanmar, Cambodia and Laos in a socio-economic and culturally diverse classroom. Prior to participation, the 36 students completed the SDQ. The SDQ was also completed by parents/guardians and teachers of the 36 students. The intervention lasted 15 weeks and structured learning blended with nine multimedia social stories along with various activities. The results are presented as pre-post for the whole group which was statistically significant, meaning that the intervention was effective in improving the social skills.

Keywords: learning innovation; social emotional learning; SEL; development; elementary; SEL programs; active learning; social story; strengths and difficulties behaviour; strengths and difficulties questionnaire; SDQ; cross-cultural.

DOI: 10.1504/IJIL.2020.103888

International Journal of Innovation and Learning, 2020 Vol.27 No.1, pp.58 - 78

Received: 03 Aug 2018
Accepted: 24 Dec 2018
Published online: 02 Dec 2019 *

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