Tablet Computers Are No Cure For Our Ailing Schools; Thai Opinion

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EDITORIAL

Tablet computers are no cure for our ailing schools

By The Nation

The eye-catching policy lacks planning, and could even erode our childrens' capacity to concentrate

Could tablet computers be a magic solution that makes our children smarter?

This is the burning question that Thais have been asking (and even hoping for a positive answer to) since the Pheu Thai Party announced its "One Student, One Tablet Computer" policy.

Of course, it is undeniable that tablet computers can be a high-tech classroom aid. But no one should believe they are a "magic bullet" that will instantly improve the quality of education, as the marketing gimmicks that Pheu Thai used would have voters believe.

Thai students have for decades been the victims of adults' failure to provide them with a proper educational environment. The quality of our schooling system is generally below par. The rich can afford to send their children to good schools but the vast majority of us are stuck with the low-quality education system.

Decision-makers and parties involved have been complaining about this issue for years but no sufficient effort has been made to fix it. It is no secret that one of the major weaknesses of our school system is the quality of teachers coupled with large class sizes. Each class at a typical public school usually accommodates 50 students or more, which makes it impossible for every student to receive proper attention.

Instead of addressing these fundamental problems, our politicians have opted for the quick-fix of the tablet PC scheme. In truth, these politicians are treating our education system as merely another channel for their populist marketing gimmicks.

They have diverted our attention to a narrow focus on physical materials in schools, even though education reform requires a more subtle approach that addresses the "software aspect" of learning.

Our children should be equipped to become responsible global citizens with the ability to express their thoughts, excel in whatever interests them, and with the conscience to protect our environment.

Taxpayers are willing to support our children. But we need an effective and strategic approach to ensure that this project is worthy of investment, not simply another empty mask hiding corruption.

First of all, the Pheu Thai Party has not come up with a proper plan to ensure that the tablet PC scheme will serve its purpose of enhancing the learning experience of our students from elementary school.

While the government plans to seek more than Bt2 billion to purchase 800,000 tablets, the Education Ministry and the politicians in charge have not convinced the public that they have a good plan to maximise their use. For instance, what will be the benefit of these tablets in rural areas where there is no broadband coverage? In addition, has the ministry prepared teachers so that our students will have qualified instructors to provide proper guidance and ensure that these gadgets will promote their learning ability.

The Pheu Thai Party is trying to justify the scheme by saying that they can acquire cheap tablets at around Bt6,000 apiece or less. But that is not the point. While these tablets could have a lasting impact on the environment when they become electronic waste in a couple of years, what guarantee do we have that they will produce any lasting impact on the intellectual capacity of our children?

Worse still, without proper guidance, these gadgets could exacerbate the problem of attention deficit disorders in children, and negatively impact their ability to analyse and think. In contrast, the much cheaper option of mass-produced textbooks has a proven educational value and, as history has shown, many of these books last for decades - even a century. Textbooks have served their purpose well in Thai schools, with their valuable information passed from one generation to the next.

It is also unclear how the tablet would encourage children to form a reading habit, which is widely recognised as a means to improving intellectual capacity. Thailand's slide in education rankings is no surprise if you consider that Thai children are now reading an average of only five books a year, while Singaporean students read 60, and South Korean around 80. Don't be surprised if Vietnam soon outsmarts Thailand - each Vietnamese kid now reads an average of 50 books a year.

In short, the priority for Thai schools is not an electronic gadget that could shorten students' attention spans, but good libraries or learning resource centres where they can spend time learning about whatever topics interest them.

Distribution of tablet computers is certainly not a crime, but politicians need to get the priorities right. They should ask themselves what our children can learn from these give-away tablets; have they prepared the infrastructure to enable our children to excel in their learning environment? But instead, the authorities are focusing on a mega-budget project which will, yet again, squander money that could have gone towards genuine improvements for our children's education.

These gadgets are no substitute for a good education - a point that even Steve Jobs likes to make. At the launch of the new iPad, Apple's CEO had this to say: "It's in Apple's DNA that technology alone is not enough - it's technology married with liberal arts, married with the humanities, that yields us the result that makes our heart sing."

-- The Nation 2011-08-04

[South]

Thai students have for decades been the victims of adults' failure to provide them with a proper educational environment.

Couldn't think of a better quote.

[Galong]

What a well-written and, unfortunately, extremely accurate article.

My belief is that they would end up being nothing more than an expensive gaming station.

[Siripon]

I can't see my 8 year old niece struggling home with it in her school bag every day. If it's not stolen by some teenager, her older brother will probably 'borrow' it.

[Xangsamhua]

I like Steve Jobs' quote at the end. It's the humanities and liberal arts that draw us out to think about what being fully human means. Technology can and does assist that, but although new technology creates new communities (like ThaiVisa, for example) the deep human issues are not technological.

The unthinking opportunism of Pheua Thai's plan to dole out tablets is obvious and has been discussed extensively on another thread.

I am concerned with the editorialist's throw-away line that "It is no secret that one of the major weaknesses of our school system is the quality of teachers coupled with large class sizes".

It's not the "quality" of the teachers that is the problem. The teachers comprise large numbers of people with a wide range of "qualities". The problem is more likely that they are inadequately trained and are provided with inadequate support, insufficient resources and minimal ongoing professional development. Furthermore, they are disempowered - unable to challenge existing conditions and structures - they have no voice, no unions or staff associations and no leadership that seriously asks for their input. Most of them, no matter how intelligent, capable and conscientious they are, are forced to be drones. They can only do the best they can under very difficult circumstances.

If teachers are not able to do the job the community wants, the community has to ask what's stopping them? It's too easy to blame the victim.

[Galong]

I like Steve Jobs' quote at the end. It's the humanities and liberal arts that draw us out to think about what being fully human means. Technology can and does assist that, but although new technology creates new communities (like ThaiVisa, for example) the deep human issues are not technological.

The unthinking opportunism of Pheua Thai's plan to dole out tablets is obvious and has been discussed extensively on another thread.

I am concerned with the editorialist's throw-away line that "It is no secret that one of the major weaknesses of our school system is the quality of teachers coupled with large class sizes".

It's not the "quality" of the teachers that is the problem. The teachers comprise large numbers of people with a wide range of "qualities". The problem is more likely that they are inadequately trained and are provided with inadequate support, insufficient resources and minimal ongoing professional development. Furthermore, they are disempowered - unable to challenge existing conditions and structures - they have no voice, no unions or staff associations and no leadership that seriously asks for their input. Most of them, no matter how intelligent, capable and conscientious they are, are forced to be drones. They can only do the best they can under very difficult circumstances.

If teachers are not able to do the job the community wants, the community has to ask what's stopping them? It's too easy to blame the victim.

Very good analysis. I'd add that the teachers also get an insultingly low salary. It's never going to be easy to attract talented and caring teachers for 4 - 5K baht per month. Some in rural areas probably make even less.

[bkkjames]

It will be interesting to see the procurement trail of said tablets.

[jaltsc]

A computer is only as effective as the information entered into it. All you are going to get from computers used in the present school system: Crap in Crap Out.

[Bagwan]

Thai students have for decades been the victims of adults' failure to provide them with a proper educational environment.

Couldn't think of a better quote.

Perhaps because you are a victim of the Thai education system? Think sardonic humour. Please.

So far this rates highly on my list of threads that contain a preponderance of logical thought and sheer common sense. Not that that is by any means a recommendation.

[huuwi]

A computer is only as effective as the information entered into it. All you are going to get from computers used in the present school system: Crap in Crap Out.

, this made my day, crap in crap out

[Thaddeus]

It's not the "quality" of the teachers that is the problem. The teachers comprise large numbers of people with a wide range of "qualities". The problem is more likely that they are inadequately trained and are provided with inadequate support, insufficient resources and minimal ongoing professional development. Furthermore, they are disempowered - unable to challenge existing conditions and structures - they have no voice, no unions or staff associations and no leadership that seriously asks for their input. Most of them, no matter how intelligent, capable and conscientious they are, are forced to be drones. They can only do the best they can under very difficult circumstances.

If teachers are not able to do the job the community wants, the community has to ask what's stopping them? It's too easy to blame the victim.

Quite right.

And if this dishing out of tablet PCs does happen, who are going to be the fall guys when it fails to achieve anything. It will certainly not be the people who should take the blame.

[scorecard]

I like Steve Jobs' quote at the end. It's the humanities and liberal arts that draw us out to think about what being fully human means. Technology can and does assist that, but although new technology creates new communities (like ThaiVisa, for example) the deep human issues are not technological.

The unthinking opportunism of Pheua Thai's plan to dole out tablets is obvious and has been discussed extensively on another thread.

I am concerned with the editorialist's throw-away line that "It is no secret that one of the major weaknesses of our school system is the quality of teachers coupled with large class sizes".

It's not the "quality" of the teachers that is the problem. The teachers comprise large numbers of people with a wide range of "qualities". The problem is more likely that they are inadequately trained and are provided with inadequate support, insufficient resources and minimal ongoing professional development. Furthermore, they are disempowered - unable to challenge existing conditions and structures - they have no voice, no unions or staff associations and no leadership that seriously asks for their input. Most of them, no matter how intelligent, capable and conscientious they are, are forced to be drones. They can only do the best they can under very difficult circumstances.

If teachers are not able to do the job the community wants, the community has to ask what's stopping them? It's too easy to blame the victim.

Very good analysis. I'd add that the teachers also get an insultingly low salary. It's never going to be easy to attract talented and caring teachers for 4 - 5K baht per month. Some in rural areas probably make even less.

So true, there are several well qualified teachers in my extended family, two have graduated within the last three to four years and have the new 5 year education degree. These two are on 6,400, and 6,800Baht a month.

They have both mentioned that their teachers union representative told them the new 15,000 starting salary will not be applicable to new teachers (they know it won't be applicable to those already in service) because of some complex regulation which puts teachers into a different category.

Both are also annoyed that they get continuous push to borrow money from various teachers credit facilities. Both realize that getting into debt is unwise and should be avoided. They say the 'push' to borrow money is quite strong. One described it as 'if your haven't borrowed from the teachers credit facility then your not a real teacher'.

Both are desperately searching for other work, because of the low salary and because older teachers don't accept 'new kids with new knowledge'. In one case the headmaster tasked a couple of new graduates to make a presentation to the older teachers about new education theories and how to generate participation in learning activity (often called project based learning). Nobody turned up and some older teachers told the head they were insulted and demanded the head promise such a presentation would never be organized again.

Both new graduates have mentioned that in many cases the older teachers will not be able to do any form of 'coordination' between class room lessons and what might be available on the tablet PCs that kids will have. The older teachers simply don't have the IT knowledge to do this, plus they don't have learning theory knowledge to understand what might underly the various websites which might be useful as reinforcement activities.

It's gunna be a tough road.

Edited August 4, 2011 by scorecard

[landofthefree]

I like Steve Jobs' quote at the end. It's the humanities and liberal arts that draw us out to think about what being fully human means. Technology can and does assist that, but although new technology creates new communities (like ThaiVisa, for example) the deep human issues are not technological.

The unthinking opportunism of Pheua Thai's plan to dole out tablets is obvious and has been discussed extensively on another thread.

I am concerned with the editorialist's throw-away line that "It is no secret that one of the major weaknesses of our school system is the quality of teachers coupled with large class sizes".

It's not the "quality" of the teachers that is the problem. The teachers comprise large numbers of people with a wide range of "qualities". The problem is more likely that they are inadequately trained and are provided with inadequate support, insufficient resources and minimal ongoing professional development. Furthermore, they are disempowered - unable to challenge existing conditions and structures - they have no voice, no unions or staff associations and no leadership that seriously asks for their input. Most of them, no matter how intelligent, capable and conscientious they are, are forced to be drones. They can only do the best they can under very difficult circumstances.

If teachers are not able to do the job the community wants, the community has to ask what's stopping them? It's too easy to blame the victim.

Very good analysis. I'd add that the teachers also get an insultingly low salary. It's never going to be easy to attract talented and caring teachers for 4 - 5K baht per month. Some in rural areas probably make even less.

Salary completely wrong, Starting pay for a Teacher is about 6000 baht, (for a 21 year old) it goes up every year and includes a guaranteed pension for life. My ex head of English was on 40,000 baht with most teachers on 25,000 or more. This was in a Government school in Bangkok. Don't believe all of the Thai teachers poverty stories because they are usually not true.

[hammered]

Of course tablets arent going to be a cure-all for the deficiencies of the system. The MoE would need to be sorted out first. However, they are another option for kids and shouldnt be knocked. There are Asian countries aiming on replacing paper in classrooms with these very machines in the not too distant future. Obviously Thailand is behind the curve on this but the idea of issuing tablets is founded on things others are doing. Obviously there is also the advantage that all kids as opposed to just wealthy ones get to handle modern technology and that in itself is going to be a bonus in the future.

[Siripon]

Of course tablets arent going to be a cure-all for the deficiencies of the system. The MoE would need to be sorted out first. However, they are another option for kids and shouldnt be knocked. There are Asian countries aiming on replacing paper in classrooms with these very machines in the not too distant future. Obviously Thailand is behind the curve on this but the idea of issuing tablets is founded on things others are doing. Obviously there is also the advantage that all kids as opposed to just wealthy ones get to handle modern technology and that in itself is going to be a bonus in the future.

The one tablet one child was a slogan to win votes, like the 300 baht minimum wage and 15,000 baht minimum salary for degree holders. None of these 3 policies were ever explained in detail as to their implementation by Pheua Thai.

[ginjag]

Thai students have for decades been the victims of adults' failure to provide them with a proper educational environment.

Couldn't think of a better quote.

Perhaps because you are a victim of the Thai education system? Think sardonic humour. Please.

So far this rates highly on my list of threads that contain a preponderance of logical thought and sheer common sense. Not that that is by any means a recommendation.

For the kids=====the most fantastic xmas present ever, For the nation ====the most stupid thought and a very costly one when all nations are cutting back on spending. For the election ===sprat to catch a mackerel. These kids need teaching good basic lessons with more enthusiastic teachers. The kids are bored in class and too much sport and leisure time. Teachers meetings are common place during school hours, leaving all classes without supervision. Helping in many rural schools I observed 1st hand most teachers in class tell the class to open books at a particular page and learn what is written, then the teacher relaxes until the end of the LESSON --note this is normal in Thai schools.

The amount of times I have gone into the staff rooms during lesson times and noticed teachers in there playing computer games or eating and drinking coffee. Give the teachers the tablets to play on. There are a good percentage of good teachers but cannot teach what they really want.

Edited August 4, 2011 by ginjag

[beano2274]

I have seen it in Universities, you give the students a netbook or a tablet then they use them in class, it does not matter who you are, the minute you turn your back the tablet will be on. They will be loaded with software that the MoE wants, but what is to stop them adding games and just playing games all day long on them.

Give them the tablets when they are required to use them in the class, they log onto a server so that everything is monitored.

At a Uni I worked out the students had a program to help them with their English, they were given points for their achievements, all logins were held on a central server, it seemed to work, although you will get students doing the work for their friends.

[edgarfriendly]

u cant polish a turd.

[OzMick]

It will be interesting to see the procurement trail of said tablets.

I would be VERY surprised if a Shin company didn't get inserted into the chain somewhere.

[Galong]

I like Steve Jobs' quote at the end. It's the humanities and liberal arts that draw us out to think about what being fully human means. Technology can and does assist that, but although new technology creates new communities (like ThaiVisa, for example) the deep human issues are not technological.

The unthinking opportunism of Pheua Thai's plan to dole out tablets is obvious and has been discussed extensively on another thread.

I am concerned with the editorialist's throw-away line that "It is no secret that one of the major weaknesses of our school system is the quality of teachers coupled with large class sizes".

It's not the "quality" of the teachers that is the problem. The teachers comprise large numbers of people with a wide range of "qualities". The problem is more likely that they are inadequately trained and are provided with inadequate support, insufficient resources and minimal ongoing professional development. Furthermore, they are disempowered - unable to challenge existing conditions and structures - they have no voice, no unions or staff associations and no leadership that seriously asks for their input. Most of them, no matter how intelligent, capable and conscientious they are, are forced to be drones. They can only do the best they can under very difficult circumstances.

If teachers are not able to do the job the community wants, the community has to ask what's stopping them? It's too easy to blame the victim.

Very good analysis. I'd add that the teachers also get an insultingly low salary. It's never going to be easy to attract talented and caring teachers for 4 - 5K baht per month. Some in rural areas probably make even less.

Salary completely wrong, Starting pay for a Teacher is about 6000 baht, (for a 21 year old) it goes up every year and includes a guaranteed pension for life. My ex head of English was on 40,000 baht with most teachers on 25,000 or more. This was in a Government school in Bangkok. Don't believe all of the Thai teachers poverty stories because they are usually not true.

No, sorry, it's not completely wrong. I'm going by what teachers told me they received. This wasn't in Bangkok, it was in more rural parts of Thailand. Many government school teachers in Phuket don't make anywhere near what you're quoting here. In fact, there is some salary information on a very recent article at Phuket teacher's salary. "...6,000 baht per month. After Social Security – 420 baht – is deducted, we’ll have just over 5,000 baht per month." This is in Phuket!

I work with a lot of schools and therefore with a lot of teachers. I know what's going on.

My brother is a physics and robotics teacher in the US. I know he is constantly being screwed over and many of his fellow teachers are being denied raises thanks to the economy. Even before the economic problems, US teachers were getting a raw deal. Teaching are one of the most important jobs in society. They should be compensated for their knowledge and expertise.

Edited August 4, 2011 by Galong

[sfbandung]

I can't see my 8 year old niece struggling home with it in her school bag every day. If it's not stolen by some teenager, her older brother will probably 'borrow' it.

Or Thailand will become the largest importer of new tablets one month, and the largest exporter of used ones the next.

The basics would be nice first. Smaller class sizes, better resourced classrooms (electronic white boards for example, i know, "How 1990's!"), better paid teachers (at entry level to attract quality people into the profession) and greater scrutiny of how resources allocated to schools are expended.

And tablets are still basically "toys". Most people have a proper PC and a tablet for playing with.

[BigRick]

One tablet one child is assuming that 10%(I am being generous living here I would guess more like 50%) will not be "borrowed" by the implementers and everyone of them will be taken care by said child without getting broken stolen or traded. They would be better off buying these kids those One laptop on child laptops very cheap very useful they cost 100$. Tablets are a fad for playing angry birds most people underutilized them. They are not durable the technology is still in the Beta vs VHS Bluray vs HDDVD fight. If you are trying to improve educational standards then give them good teachers not gadgets. A tablet does not a genius make.

[beano2274]

For the people talking about Thai Teachers salaries, I worked at a private Kindergarten the teachers there were on about 6,000 to 8,000 baht dependent on seniority, this was in BKK.

Government teachers get more this is a fact, my MIL is a Thai Government teacher. She just got two bonuses paid, both of about 400,000baht from some Fund she paid into.

[dominique355]

One issue about tablets for school kids has (as far as I have seen) never been addressed:

These tablets need WiFi and/or 3G for communicating with the rest of the world. Do these schoolkids have WiFi in their home or school? Probably not. How about 3G? Yeah right!

So how to:

- install apps (which in addition needs a credit card)

- print out a paper

- communicate with others

Wouldn't it be wiser to give these kids a "normal" desktop computer for half the price and double the power? And even a printer would be possible, still for less than an average tablet.

[hammered]

One issue about tablets for school kids has (as far as I have seen) never been addressed:

These tablets need WiFi and/or 3G for communicating with the rest of the world. Do these schoolkids have WiFi in their home or school? Probably not. How about 3G? Yeah right!

So how to:

- install apps (which in addition needs a credit card)

- print out a paper

- communicate with others

Wouldn't it be wiser to give these kids a "normal" desktop computer for half the price and double the power? And even a printer would be possible, still for less than an average tablet.

Why give them old dated technology. Tablets are more modern and more likely to resemeble technology they will need to use in the future. Even just handling and learning to use a tablet is a bonus and evens things a little between wealthy kids who already have them and the poor who rarely get to touch anything more technological than a shagged phone

[hammered]

Of course tablets arent going to be a cure-all for the deficiencies of the system. The MoE would need to be sorted out first. However, they are another option for kids and shouldnt be knocked. There are Asian countries aiming on replacing paper in classrooms with these very machines in the not too distant future. Obviously Thailand is behind the curve on this but the idea of issuing tablets is founded on things others are doing. Obviously there is also the advantage that all kids as opposed to just wealthy ones get to handle modern technology and that in itself is going to be a bonus in the future.

The one tablet one child was a slogan to win votes, like the 300 baht minimum wage and 15,000 baht minimum salary for degree holders. None of these 3 policies were ever explained in detail as to their implementation by Pheua Thai.

Of course all the policies were vote catchers but that doesnt necessarily make them bad policies either. Obviosly implementation is critical as is actually fulfilling them in one way or another

[KKvampire]

Offering Free Computer pads was just an Election Gimmick to get votes ...Nothing to do with improving Thai Students Education

[scorecard]

I have seen it in Universities, you give the students a netbook or a tablet then they use them in class, it does not matter who you are, the minute you turn your back the tablet will be on. They will be loaded with software that the MoE wants, but what is to stop them adding games and just playing games all day long on them.

Give them the tablets when they are required to use them in the class, they log onto a server so that everything is monitored.

At a Uni I worked out the students had a program to help them with their English, they were given points for their achievements, all logins were held on a central server, it seemed to work, although you will get students doing the work for their friends.

In fact some university faculties / lecturers ban notebooks, netbooks, tablets, and even mobile phones.

Many times I have quickly looked at what was on the screen: on line shopping, fashion sites, Korean soap operas, and pornography, and more.

So, some time back I also banned all of these in my lecture room.

One Thai lecturer I work with has gone one step further in regard to mobile phones - get caught answering / talking / sms and she confiscates the phone on the spot (she walks up quickly and snatches it out of the hands of the owner) , and gives it back at the end of the semester. Requests in the meantime to copy the contacts list are met with a firm NO!

Another lecturer (an American guy) has a policy:

- Get caught using your phone in the classroom and you cannot attend the next two lectures. If that means you miss a team presentation of some sort then your team is banned from getting an A grading for that case study / exercise. If it puts you over the attendance flexibility for that semester and you cannot sit for the semester exam, bad luck.

- Get caught twice using your phone in any way and you are now barred from getting an A grading for that semester.

It works.

Edited August 4, 2011 by scorecard

[scorecard]

Of course tablets arent going to be a cure-all for the deficiencies of the system. The MoE would need to be sorted out first. However, they are another option for kids and shouldnt be knocked. There are Asian countries aiming on replacing paper in classrooms with these very machines in the not too distant future. Obviously Thailand is behind the curve on this but the idea of issuing tablets is founded on things others are doing. Obviously there is also the advantage that all kids as opposed to just wealthy ones get to handle modern technology and that in itself is going to be a bonus in the future.

The one tablet one child was a slogan to win votes, like the 300 baht minimum wage and 15,000 baht minimum salary for degree holders. None of these 3 policies were ever explained in detail as to their implementation by Pheua Thai.

Of course all the policies were vote catchers but that doesnt necessarily make them bad policies either. Obviosly implementation is critical as is actually fulfilling them in one way or another

How can you ".......replacing paper in classrooms with these very machines in the not too distant future."

Students, especially at lower levels, need to develop the skills to write more than develop the skills to use a keyboard.

What countries have this policy? Please share.

[hammered]

Of course tablets arent going to be a cure-all for the deficiencies of the system. The MoE would need to be sorted out first. However, they are another option for kids and shouldnt be knocked. There are Asian countries aiming on replacing paper in classrooms with these very machines in the not too distant future. Obviously Thailand is behind the curve on this but the idea of issuing tablets is founded on things others are doing. Obviously there is also the advantage that all kids as opposed to just wealthy ones get to handle modern technology and that in itself is going to be a bonus in the future.

The one tablet one child was a slogan to win votes, like the 300 baht minimum wage and 15,000 baht minimum salary for degree holders. None of these 3 policies were ever explained in detail as to their implementation by Pheua Thai.

Of course all the policies were vote catchers but that doesnt necessarily make them bad policies either. Obviosly implementation is critical as is actually fulfilling them in one way or another

How can you ".......replacing paper in classrooms with these very machines in the not too distant future."

Students, especially at lower levels, need to develop the skills to write more than develop the skills to use a keyboard.

What countries have this policy? Please share.

Korea for one announced recently a move in this direction. The notion of the paperless classroom originated in the states many years ago. Maybe young kids need writing on paper as a part of the learning process but in the future they will be doing nearly all or even all of their writing on keyboards, touchscreens or even via talk to text software with very little actual writing. Communication is changing rapidly