Bruno123

On 1/17/2022 at 12:39 AM, BritManToo said:

Not me, women ain't my friends.

They still want stuff from you.

That's not been my experience. But I tend to chose carefully. I can say it's only been an issue with one. No one asks or expects. But we share freely. That's my norm. I don't compromise on it.

22 hours ago, youreavinalaff said:

Not sure how passing on knowledge and understanding can be deemed pedantic. But, there you go. I bet your teachers loved you. ????????

Here's the way I see it, after 22 years of living in and traveling around Isaan.

 

There always has been and always will be animosity between those of Laos heritage and those of other, particularly Khmer, heritage. I have even seen this boil over into mass fist fights at concerts in Buriram.

 

Laos is the dominant dialect in Isaan when compared to other languages. To a point that many Laos speakers really do think their language is the language of Isaan. Especially in provinces further away from the Khmer, and Gui, speaking regions of Southern; Surin, Sissaket, Buriram, and SaKeaw.

 

Thus, in areas where only Laos is spoken they are likely to call their language Isaan. This is, as pointed out by another poster, incorrect.

 

If you travel to an area where Laos is spoke alongside another dialect, such as Khmer, Gui or Thai Korat, the local Laos speakers will be aware of the other dialects and refer to their language, and correctly so, as Laos, even though they may feel disdain towards those other heritages.

 

Likewise, if you go to a Khmer,Gui or Thai Korat speaking area, they would never refer to their own dialect as Isaan.

 

I, personally, think it is fun to try to learn the different languages that are spoken in this lovely and diverse area of Thailand. If I were to refer to any individual language as Isaan then I would find it more difficult to learn and certainly would gave difficulty differentiating between them.

 

I found this interesting.  

As an aside, I play a musical instrument; when growing up and playing in bands, I would take care when it came to the tuning of my instrument. Some would understand about tuning their instruments and others were happy with 'near enough'; totally oblivious to the unwanted harmonics being produced.

Was so hard for me to listen to it; whilst they were happy enough to be playing something close to music.

1 hour ago, Chris.B said:

I thought minimum top up is 20 baht.

 

Not. Even at Boontherm machines it's 10 baht. Online banking, as little as 5 baht, if they haven't changed anything over the past few months.

19 minutes ago, Bkk Brian said:

There you go assuming I was confused and off topic. You're wrong again and the main reason I've ended my debates with you.

I didn't realise there was a debate going on.

I only noted that you extrapolated a statement of basic educational standards needing to be raised in state schools, to mean that he was stating that technology should not be used at any stage.

No; I think he meant that the standards are too low in the first place. My point in that I was doing advanced algebra at ten with nothing but a text book and someone who took the time to explain and be sure that he was understood, made the difference.

Are you suggesting that now there is technology, the average ten year old has more knowledge than I did at ten? 

No need for technology in that scenario. If children need a computer or even a calculator for their basic education; that's already a fail.

Many people, including myself, were appalled when calculators were allowed in Maths classes.

The children are being increasingly 'dumbed down' these days.

17 minutes ago, Bkk Brian said:

Got you and agree on most points. There is also the other aspect of teaching styles and how a teacher engages with the students which I have always found very important. The more a teacher invests in educational outcomes through lesson planning and being attentive to individual needs the better the outcomes. Treat the students with respect and you gain respect in return.

 

Returning to my points on tech, I've experienced both, when I was at school with no meaningful technology to facilitate and the here and now when there is. Following my daughters recent years progression in education, tech has certainly helped in all subjects including Maths with some excellent interactive programmes that are indiviually set to a persons level of achievement and challenge them in an investigation based comprehensive curriculum that assists all students levels, its an excellent add on to the normal 4 times a week school lessons.

 

Moving on some of the projects that have been carried out by her in other subjects are dependent on her own investigation. For example a recent history project was the "Black Death" The only guidance given was the length of essay needed, bullet points covered and guidance on possible websites to visit. This approach relied on the students ability to be independent in investigation, engage with the subject achieving a real interest in the outcome. End results a piece of work they can call their own and be proud of.

 

However wishful thinking for a Thai government school as everybody needs their own laptop and internet but still something to aspire to if they ever get round to overhauling the whole sorry state of affairs including the rife corruption.

Nothing you wrote has anything to do with the reality in state schools. They are just your theories and thoughts about education in general.

The topic of this thread is; Education inequality – The state school teachers’ dilemma

Is your daughter in a state school?

2 hours ago, Bkk Brian said:

Don't assume what we are discussing are the same things, my responses have been tailored to one specific post which I find to be nonsense:

 

"Technology is generally a distraction from education.

All you need to educate children is decent text books for the kids and a blackboard with chalk for the teachers."

 

However my discussions with you have come to an end from my side

 

 

I did not assume anything. Remember when I stated that I think that we are discussing at cross purposes, but you ploughed on regardless?

BritManToo wrote in general terms about the state school education system. You, to illustrate your point, wrote about International school curricula.

2 minutes ago, Chris.B said:

but you will have to keep topping it up with small amounts to extend it's validity.

 

He can do it in a single session, once per annum. 12 x 5 baht top ups via online banking.

On 1/15/2022 at 5:24 AM, trevor67 said:

I was able to renew my True Max Speed 1 yr sim. They actually sent me a sms 3 weeks before it was to expire, to extend 1 yr, everything the same, but 200 baht more. I was skeptical so went to the True office, and they did it for me and I paid them cash....same number.

Max Speed: 60 GB per month with free calls to all networks product; normal price 1690 baht. Usually discounted on Shopee/Lazada.

So when you say 200 baht more, I am guessing you mean from the price you paid on Lazada or similar and in fact you paid their normal price of 1690 baht this time. 

On 1/13/2022 at 12:44 PM, Polar Bear said:

I bought an AIS Marathon SIM through Lazada when I arrived, ~1,500 THB for a year. That was all fine, but I am getting close to the expiry now and I don't understand what happens next. Is it right that these things can't be renewed and the SIM card itself will expire!? Ideally, I'd like to just renew this package for another year, or buy another one-year package, but I am not sure either of them are options. If I buy a new SIM, presumably my number would change, which would be such a hassle. Am I missing something obvious?

Yes; just call them on 1175 and ask them to extend it. They can extend the data pack for 150 baht per month; you stay on the same number.

Truemove H offer the same thing; I know that independent agents can extend the one year SIM packs.

Truemove H extension possibilities: 

4 Mbps: 150 baht per month

4 Mbps + free calls to all networks: 165 baht per month

10 Mbps: 200 per month

10 Mbps  + free calls to all networks, 220 baht per month

4 hours ago, Bkk Brian said:

That's like trying to say that there is no need to move with the times because we can ignore all other developments as how we do it now will always be the best way.

 

So can I but I was never disputing that its not possible, read my post again.

 

Thailand actually has a very good Education budget, in fact its 5% of GDP and 20% of the country's fiscal budget had been allocated, far more than many countries. However budget allocations to local authorities in Thailand came to merely 16% of the total.

 

More than enough to move on from a blackboard and chalk. Where does all this money go? Because instead of being used effectively Thailand's inequality in education and its standing in world comparisons will always be dismal.

What is the point of moving on from a blackboard and chalk if they don't understand what is written there in the first place?

It really seems as if it is you who is not grasping the simple points being made....which is rather ironic, since that is exactly what we are discussing; understanding the basics.

Coding, but still having to calculate using your fingers? ????

Come on...we are writing about raising standards; not just following the latest trends. That is another lesson in itself.

15 hours ago, dinsdale said:

Agree. Unfortunately some are stuck in their ways both teachers and people who comment on this. I remember in the early 70's I think it was overhead projectors and wheeling in TVs and this was great. Made learning more interesting. Blackboards and coloured chalk was invented in the 19th Century. Technology is now essential to learning. Kids are digital natives and not using or being able to use tech for learning is just rediculous e.g. teach the huge volcanic eruption off Samoa with chalk on a blackboard or actually show the footage. Which would be more engaging? Which would students learn more from.

Blackboard and chalk. Explain first, show the footage afterwards. 

Otherwise you lose the ability to visualise.

I was doing advanced algebra at ten years old. Had to be taught privately by the headmaster in his study, since no one else could do it at my primary school.

It was absolutely normal to be able to recite Pi to a hundred digits and more.

Chinese and Indian children start with an abacus; that's why they are eating your lunch for when it comes to technological understanding.

One lot are playing games on their phone, the others are sending spacecraft to the other side of the moon.

Get back to basics. Otherwise you will breed a nation of idiots.

2 hours ago, Bkk Brian said:

Hardly a theory in my head but a proven evidence based  curriculum, in this case for many international schools here, the Cambridge curriculum. This comprises of international standard teaching in the core subjects of Maths, Science, English, Computer Science, in fact the whole range to ICGSE standard external tests followed by A level external tests and entry to some of the best Universities in the world.

 

I've had one daughter in the UK who went through it a doing very well and one son who moved here and is now an accounts manager for a large company here in Phuket already go down this route. My younger daughter is now in year 9 here learning the core subjects as well as the more advanced tech ones.

 

Like I said if Thailand wants to aspire to being a developed country their education currently sucks, a blackboard, chalk and books are not enough.

 

"The shortcomings of Thailand's education system have again been exposed by international education rankings, with Thai students scoring well below global averages in core subjects, namely mathematics, science and literacy."

 

https://www.cola.kku.ac.th/colakkuarticle/index.php/101-global-tests-expose-reality-of-thai-schools-daniel-maxwell-peerasit-kamnuansilpa

Perhaps we are arguing at cross purposes. I am not arguing against technology. 

I too am referring to the quality of the education. 

Technology did not help the boy who lost my 75 satang. There are other ways to make lessons more interesting than wheeling out a TV. They didn't have them in centuries before. 

My education required everyone to know how to use an abacus. The basics. 

People are becoming more 'dumb'.

I went into a Tesco Lotus 'convenience' shop the other day. Picked something up for 26.25 baht. Gave the boy 50 + 7 baht. He gave me 30 baht back. I asked where is my 75 satang? ????

He scratched his head and looked at the receipt and scratched his head again. This went on for at least thirty seconds. I said never mind and took my things. Not at all upset.

Of course I did not care about the 75 satang. I simply could not understand how, with the help of the till telling him exactly what he should give me, that he managed to fail in such a simple task. 

It wasn't his first mistake. The day before he priced the grapes I had chosen incorrectly and charged me nearly double the price for grapes that they did not even have in stock. His female colleague had to fix that for him. He went outside to play on his phone. I'm sure he knows how to do all kinds of tricks on his phone.

Lack of technology is not the issue here.

1 hour ago, Bkk Brian said:

You missed the string of my point which is that tech is essential to prepare a student for real life. A blackboard and books alone can teach the basic core subjects especially in a third or developing world. However if Thailand is aspiring for developed world status then they need the tools to do that. I.T. provides and facilitates that process.

 

As for you learning coding on a blackboard with no computer to test the process....lol. A bit like learning to ride a bike with no bike to try out the results.

I didn't miss anything. Yours is just a theory from the top of your head and nothing to do with real life.

Real life? Which of those kids is sitting in a penthouse right now? 

There is a big difference between being familiar with technology and understanding the rudiments behind the technology.

If you join in the middle, you are just following someone else's path.

Many musician's practice without instruments. A good teacher can make any subject understandable. I agree with BritManToo; start with pencil and paper. Learn the rudiments.

If you don't, you might just turn out to be a worker bee or a follower.

I certainly learned about programming starting from chalk on a blackboard.

4 hours ago, hotchilli said:

NO.....

She is not lazy, she's asking me to explain it... so she understands.

Not getting me to do it.

DON'T TWIST MY POST!

That one goes along with "the dog ate my homework". She is hardly going to say something negative about herself. That she does not understand may not be the fault of the teacher.

I have friends who are teachers working for the government. It's not unusual that I get a request to do their niece's homework for them. 

One question requested that you explain the process that you see in the pictures shown.

But in order to do so, you, to my eye, needed to have some basic knowledge of the process. So I asked if it were an English test or was it a study of the process shown in the pictures. Neither the teacher nor the 'niece' had even the slightest clue about anything to do with the question.

In the end it was just easier to just do it for them. 

Of course it's easier for you to blame the Cameroonian. That's racism for you; attacking the low hanging fruit because it's the easiest thing to do.

1 hour ago, KhunLA said:

Yea, been there.  Na Yung is lovely area to drive through.  Actually some nice drop offs / cliffs at the edge.  Phu Foilum has nice view on back end of the park, at the drop with extensive views.  Loei can be lovely.

 

Loved driving along the river, from Chiang Khan to Mukdahan.  That's all good for out & abouts, but not living there.  And can only do that so many times before it gets boring, and hours away from home.

 

Here's one local restaurant we frequent, that backs up the hills along the Myanmar border, and from their rooftop veranda, you can see the gulf & squidders on the bay at night.  About 20+ kms distance 

 

Just so you know:

Quote

15) Any links posted must lead to the website the link indicates. Links that are misleading or direct to a site different than the one indicated are not allowed. No shortened version urls or affiliate links permitted.

 

Edited the Tiny.cc link out to prevent the quoting it.

19 hours ago, KHY0307 said:

Can anyone help run a speed test on 20mbps true/ais 200thb plan?

i have recently just moved into a new apartment with no Wi-Fi, and using my 4mbps 30gb plan and under speed test it said 40Mbps !

I wonder do I have to upgrade to the 20Mbps unlimited plan or not for only the unlimited data.. 

How do you propose that someone helps you to run a speed test? Do you have the SIMs in question? You fail to even mention which network you are using now.

Test your current SIM using https://testmy.net Choose Test My Internet and then the Combined Test and publish the result.

Bear in mind that some SIMs come with free data when you top up. So if you get 1GB of free data, that can be full speed data, which will skew your speed test results. 

1 hour ago, BangkokReady said:

What do you think about Thais not wearing masks?  Same thing?

I don't see many Thais not wearing masks. Honestly. But most of the new arrivals walking on soi Bua Khao...no masks or it is simply protecting their chins.