Development of Science and Art for Happiness Creation Course Based on Contemplative Education for Bachelor Degree Students, Chiang Mai University

Abstract

The objectives of this research were to develop the science and art for happiness creation  
course based on contemplative education for bachelor degree students, Chiang Mai University, and to study the effects  of course implementation. These effects were as follow: 1) students’ happiness  2) students’ learning satisfaction, and 3) others thoughts and feelings of the students  after course implemented. This research was divided into 3 phases. In the first phase, context of problem and curriculum needed   were reviewed and collected for the construction of the course and studied feasibility. In the second phase, the course was constructed, validated, and tested. In the third phase, the course was implemented and the out comes of this course were assessed.  The subjects consist of  51 bachelor students, Chiang Mai University. All subject volunteer to enroll in this course via the Registration Office Network. Research instruments were the science and art for happiness creation course, and instruments using for course evaluation included  the students’ happiness indicators, the students’ learning satisfaction questionnaire, and two open –ended questions of learning evaluation form. Quantiative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, and content analysis were used for qualitative data. The findings are as follows: 

            The science and art for happiness creation course based on contemplative education has been constructed, the course structure consist of theory for 30 hours and practicum at learning camp for 30 hours. This course was approved for bachelor degree students, Chiang Mai University since second semester ,2012 academic year, and open  course among every  regular semester. Core course content included: 1) human life and education, and 2) contemplative education and happiness.  This course conducted learning process  by  E-learning  via CMU online together with facebook, and  the 5 essential contemplative techniques were used  into learning activities. These techniques consist of :   1) deep listening, 2) dialogue, 3) contemplation, 4) meditation, and 5) learning reflection. Eight sessions of  learning activities were conducted in classroom  and seven sessions  online. For practicum , students have to practice in learning camp for 2 days and 1 night.

            The course was implemented and results revealed:

1. Overall mean scores of happiness before and after implemented was not significantly

difference, but considered in each items, after implemented, mean scores of 18 items were more than before  and more than that for 4 items  it was  significantly difference, P<0.05), and above half of subjects (58.82 %) showed  happiness scores after course implemented more than before.

1. The subjects had high level of learning satisfaction for overall mean scores, and two domains of questionnaire  were  highest level included opportunity domain and interpersonal relation domain, when considered in  percentage ,50.99 and 64.71 showed for these domains , respectively.

             The findings of this study showed that happiness creation course based on contemplative education that has been developed enhanced learning satisfaction, encouraged the students perceived utilities and values from course content together with learning activities, not only in classroom but also at learning camp .Although the over all of happiness mean scores before and after implemented was not significantly difference, however the students did not stress on learning  and confirmed that knowledge and experiences from this course  can contribute to daily activities life  and suggested that this course should open for enrollment in every academic year.