The INFINITY Learning Model in Thailand: Its Potential for Developing Countries by Poonsri Vate-U-Lan, Ed.D.
Online learning models are acknowledged to be key delivery systems in higher education because of their potential for lifelong learning initiatives. The main objective of this article is to present such a learning model, namely INFINITY, through a research project to investigate its effectiveness to utilize the potential of the Internet for the contemporary university classroom in developing countries with graduate students at two selected universities in Thailand. The learning model was developed to enhance the Internet literacy of students, one of the most crucial skills for the 21st century. The INFINITY learning model consists of eight steps: (1) I-Investigate Internet resources, (2) N-Navigate learning objectives, (3) F-Find focus and keywords, (4) I-Inquire about the reliability of resources, (5) N-Network information, (6) I-Illustrate and define the knowledge base and its functionality, (7) T-Transform into practice and (8) Y-Yearn for feedback and refinement. The exit survey found that the opinions of participants who had been learning via the INFINITY learning model were very positive with students acquiring different skills and various aspects of knowledge. Use of the INFINITY model added value to the educational process since it encouraged teenage and adult students to access updated information and was a very useful pattern of learning through an individual and collaborative learning process.
