ASSIGNMENT
1.1
1.
Change is inevitable and as the saying goes, only the strongest will
survive. One thing is for sure, the future is uncertain and the
ability to adapt to that change is a trait we have to instill in our
children today. Children educated today will grow up to a different
world than the generation that has taken the responsibility of
educating them. It is no secret that the world is now literally at
our fingertips. The abundance of information on the internet is
overflowing and more than any good library in the world. Technology
can be a two-edged sword but balance is the key. Technology is there
to enhance learning and individualize the pace each learner has.
Then again, expectations from teachers will be much higher due to the
fact that there is a lot of comparisons to be made.
I
would propose a plan to prepare students in my country to be educated
by teachers who look at teaching not as instructing but rather as a
facilitator of learning. We teachers do not know everything under
the sun and we should not pretend to. We should be lifelong learners
ourselves and model that behaviour to the children. Cathy Davidson a
professor from Duke University believes that, in light of the fact
that “65
percent of today’s grade-school kids may end up doing work that
hasn’t been invented yet,” we should cast aside our fear of
technology, and prepare our school-aged kids with important skills,
both in technical ways and other less tangible ways. 1
The
second element I find important is the integration of the world
through different social media and network. Classrooms can be linked
around the world through different tools and technology. The
possibilities are endless but the requirement is challenging,
enthusiastic teachers who have a fairly open mind to embracing
technology in their classrooms.
Learning
a second language should be mandatory and done in with effective
teaching practice in mind. There should be opportunities for
transfering students to different countries and more exchange
programs done on a regular basis. The curriculum devised by the
Ministry of Education should be in line with reality and center
around projects and learning experiences. Children should be able to
present their work to the world using articulate language skills and
a sense of confidence. Learning should be creative, engaging and
focused on learning to solve problems and overcoming obstacles. The
mindset has to change, children should learn to better themselves not
only to get an A for the subject that has no real relevance in life.
2. I
believe that every country has good intentions, but that is not
enough for Thailand. We have been reacting to change and that is
usually never good enough. Our neighbors and counterparts are ready
for the ASEAN community at a level much higher than ours. We are
just starting to react to this change by turning schools in Bangkok
into a bilingual school. Reacting through policies is not going to
put us on the top, we will barely make it. Thailand has
underestimated the global community and been too relaxed. We are
relying on tried and tested theories when the world is creating the
change they wish to be a part of. Our population is merely a
spectator to the technological advances of the world and unless we
have leaders in the appropriate sectors who have half a vision of a
better future we will not be able to compete in the competitive world
which is transforming itself every second. If we do not move with the
time and adapt to the world we might be on our own as puppets to the
rest of the world. I do not believe that Thailand is doing
everything it should for the benefit of its future generation.
Bringing in tablets is not exactly visionary if there is no support
or sense given to the children about the benefits and progress they
can achieve through it.
1.
Barseghien, T. (2011, Aug. 19). How Do We Prepare Our Children For
What's Next.
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