THE INFLUENCE OF LEARNING ATTITUDES ON ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT: A CASE STUDY OF VOCATIONAL CERTIFICATE STUDENTS IN THE MACHINE SHOP TECHNOLOGY PROGRAM AT AYUTTHAYA TECHNICAL COLLEGE

Abstract

This research aimed to 1) examine the level of learning attitudes among vocational certificate students in the Machine Shop Technology Program at Ayutthaya Technical College, 2) investigate the relationship between learning attitudes and academic achievement, and 3) examine the influence of learning attitudes on academic achievement. The sample group consisted of 180 vocational certificate students selected by purposive sampling. The research instruments were a learning attitude questionnaire and the students’ cumulative grade point average (GPAX) records. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson’s correlation, analysis of variance, and multiple regression analysis. The results showed that students’ overall learning attitude was at a high level, with achievement motivation scoring the highest average. The correlation analysis revealed that overall learning attitude was positively related to GPAX at the .01 level of significance (r = .353). The comparison of differences indicated that students with higher GPAX had significantly higher self-discipline in classroom behavior than those with lower GPAX. Furthermore, the multiple regression analysis indicated that the model could explain 19.4% of the variance in GPAX (R² = .194, p < .001), with only self-discipline in classroom behavior exerting a positive and significant influence on academic achievement.