Developing a Community-Based Learning Center on Nakhon Chai Si Pomelo Heritage Reflecting the Identity of Ko Lat E-Tan, Sam Phran, Nakhon Pathom

Abstract

This academic article is part of the project titled “The Development of a Community Learning Resource Based on the Local Identity of Khlat I Thaen Island: Nakhon Chai Si Pomelo Wisdom in Sam Phran District, Nakhon Pathom Province.” The objective of this article is to present a lesson derived from the project which encompasses: (1) compiling knowledge related to local wisdom in cultivating Nakhon Chai Si pomelos, (2) analyzing the identity associated with pomelo cultivation, and (3) designing and developing a community learning resource as a space for knowledge transmission and the promotion of lifelong learning. The community education activities applied qualitative research methodologies, including in-depth interviews, focus group discussions, participant observation, brainstorming sessions, and lesson-learned summarization. The target group consisted of 30 purposively selected individuals, including community leaders, students, teachers, parents, and community members, based on the criterion that participants must be either residents, workers, or students within the area. The findings of the study are as follows: 1. The contextual background of Khlat I Thaen Island reveals that it is geographically situated as an island in the Tha Chin River, resulting in highly fertile soil ideal for growing Nakhon Chai Si pomelos, which are known for their distinctive sweet-sour flavor, thin peel, and local uniqueness. 2. The learning activities integrated key participatory tools such as transect walks, kinship diagrams, local health systems, community calendars, life histories, and community history. These tools facilitated a deep understanding of community life, development processes, and problem-solving, through active participation and qualitative inquiry. 3. The design of the community learning resource emphasized the integration of local knowledge into hands-on learning activities, such as demonstration pomelo plantations, community learning trails, exhibitions of local wisdom, and participatory workshops. These components aimed to promote participatory learning and systematic knowledge transfer within the community.