Tablet Computers To Contain Text Books; Pheu Thai Policy

[Farang0tang]

How I see it panning out:

Either,

The Government come clean and admit it's a $hite idea.

or

A year or two stalling, (with various excuses - software, supplier, training, delivery, maintenance etc).

Finally start the roll-out, but only to some Grade 1/s in a limited "test" area.

Further excuses (about tweaking the software, training, changing supplier/maintenance contracts etc. - more manouverings at the trough).

By which time the next election comes onto the horizon. Fresh new promises are made, enabling them to drop this prize winning carrot, and replace it with other mind boggling, absurd, money wasting, devious vote winning shemes AND at the same time keeping some face with their original promise.

[scorecard]

This is nothing but a bullshit gimmick that will improve nothing except access to porn.

What students in Thailand need are better quality teachers especially in the fields of math, science, geography, history and English.

Absolutely spot on.

This is case of the blind leading the blind. Of administrators who are themselves (comparatively) uneducated, making educational policy.

FOUR THOUSAND MILLION BAHT!

Just think how many trained and qualified teachers this could buy.

This is like issuing every student with a solid gold pen in the hope that it will make them all write better.

Another depressing and utterly foolish policy decision by a country which continues to try and mask its medieval ignorance with wild and hopeful statements and 21st century tinsel.

Sigh

R

(ex Deputy Principal of a BKK international school.)

R

Teachers don't appear to be having the desired effect......perhaps it is time for a change in approach......the most efficient economic way to give access to quality teaching methodology and materials could well be through IT

Just love how you guys have excuses instead of hitting the real points:

- so if it's keeping a campaign promise then all is ok. Never mind that it's a wrong policy.

- New teaching methodology based on IT? Well it is true that current teaching methods in Thailand are not producing results especially in terms of cognitive and analysis skills and innovation etc etc., and it's true that the attempts to get old teachers to change their methods has basically failed. But is is also true that countries where student centred / student active / project based learning is the norm peoduce bright kids who naturally analize, naturally look wider than whats' in front of them.

So it proves that there needs to be new attempts to get Thai teachers to change. How? Well certainly not easy but what is needed most of all is some people at the top who push aside / break down the barriers to change, gently at first, then more strongly when gentle fails. What is also needed, and it's been mentioned a million times before, is much smaller classes and better learning environments, air-con just one factor.

How can tablets replace a teacher who is needed to drive kids to analyse, to think, to respond, to develop the skills to quickly and clealry verbalize what's on their mind and feel relaxed to open their mouths?

The truth is at the new 5 year teaching degree does give new teachers more eunderstanding of child psycholgy, childhood development, and new teaching methods, but to a large extent the new teachers are rejected by the system (I have two examples in my family). How do you overcome this? Not easy of course, but the first word is leadership.

[Buchholz]

According to Education Minister Woravat Auapinyakul, each tablet will cost no more than Bt3,000 and its use-life should range from three to four years.

These guys are hilarious. Two jokes in one sentence.

.

Edited August 12, 2011 by Buchholz

[robsamui]

Anything that can improve learning which I believe this could contribute to should be welcomed ... Thai curriculum will change over time ... try to look at your own countries , how it was 50 years ago and how it is today, how was the family structure 50 years ago and how is it today , how important was religion 50 years ago and how is it today , everything changes over time , also in Thailand, Thailand is not yet fully industrialized , it will be over time and then things will change to the better or worse.

Thailand doesn't want it to change. Thailand is doing everything it can to remain separate from the world outside, driven by obsessive nationalistic pride and a desperate clinging onto outmoded customs and traditions. Thailand doesn't want to learn from other countries - it fears them and their 'corrupting' influence. Thailand doesn't feel any need to rise above it's current low level of international competitiveness because it already believes that it's one of the finest countries in the world.

The government and administration of the Thai nation is purposefully keeping the country out of the mainstream of world educational and technological development - teaching about Thai culture and traditions in their schools and avoiding international awareness and integration.

All except for the children of the ruling classes - they are sent to school and university in America and Europe. Odd, that, isn't it?

R

Agree that the ruling classes, the upper echelon of society does not want to change anything, and since the state has a good grip on the available information to the citizens then they have been good at keeping status quo for years, I do however believe that nowadays there are other means of communication that the State cannot control, the social media we have today and which is bound to increase in the future .. so I think that over time common citizens will simply demand a better life and education...and then something will have to give in either peacefully or not, most other countries in the world have gone though such phases too.

I do respectfully disagree concerning Thailand's competitiveness , Thailand is indeed very competitive , just look at all the car manufacturers etc exporting to other parts of the world, I myself is in the Engineering sector and we have also been very competitive for years.... Thailand has also over the years been doing a great job in promoting Thailand as a tourist destination (Whether it is sustainable or not due to environmental destruction and greed is another issue), as a convention destination and even as a educational hub for expats both here and in other countries .... Thailand have even been quite successful in promoting itself as a medicare hub for people in the middle east...so there are a lot of capabilities and potential ... but the education system lacks quite a lot ... but as I still believe , hopefully over time it will improve.

After having stated that the education system here is lacking then all your points have their validity negated - which nation introduced the technology and know-how for the car-manufacturing plants? It wasn't Thailand. Did the Thai nation build the sky-train? No, I recall it was Germany. And where were the medical staff trained in this 'medicare hub'? - it wasn't in Thailand.

Tourism? I read somewhere this represents 8% of Thailand's income.

When the day arrives that Thai people - at all levels of society - gain humility, recognise and accept their limitations and are able to admit their failings without the insufferable and continual humiliation of losing face, then, yes, things will improve over time. The Japanese and South Koreans seized these opportunities like the drowning nations that they once were. But Thailand?

R

[Bruce1]

E-learning is the way of the future and its great that the Thai Govt. is prepared to put funds into it. However, there are some questions about how to do it the best way.

Firstly, these tablets are basically e-readers as I understand them. They're good for reading but not much chop for other internet stuff. They're certainly not up there with an iPad or a laptop.

Secondly, obviously many teachers are not up to speed. Shouldn't computer literacy be a required skill for teachers?

Thirdly, there are competing technologies and its a problem when any government bureaucracy tries to dictate which technology is to be favoured, because they usually get it wrong.

Fourthly, any govt.-dictated content is going to be put of date before its released.

Why is the government bureaucracy being so paternalistic?

Why not simply allow any Thai schoolchild's parents to claim a tax refund for any computer used by the child at school. Let the students decide what works best for them. The bureaucracy could then produce whatever content it wants in common formats, and students could supplement it in any way they choose.

The internet is a wide open place for all kinds of learning. Those who try to control it are doomed to failure. It's no wonder so many Thai middle-class students go overseas to improve their education. Lets encourage innovation, not conformity.

Edited August 12, 2011 by Bruce1

[robsamui]

E-learning is the way of the future and its great that the Thai Govt. is prepared to put funds into it. However, there are some questions about how to do it the best way.

Firstly, these tablets are basically e-readers as I understand them. They're good for reading but not much chop for other internet stuff. They're certainly not up there with an iPad or a laptop.

Secondly, obviously many teachers are not up to speed. Shouldn't computer literacy be a required skill for teachers?

Thirdly, there are competing technologies and its a problem when any government bureaucracy tries to dictate which technology is to be favoured, because they usually get it wrong.

Fourthly, any govt.-dictated content is going to be put of date before its released.

Why is the government bureaucracy being so paternalistic?

Why not simply allow any Thai schoolchild's parents to claim a tax refund for any computer used by the child at school. Let the students decide what works best for them. The bureaucracy could then produce whatever content it wants in common formats, and students could supplement it in any way they choose.

The internet is a wide open place for all kinds of learning. Those who try to control it are doomed to failure. It's no wonder so many Thai middle-class students go overseas to improve their education. Lets encourage innovation, not conformity.

E-learning is the way of the future

STOP right there!

Yes it is the way of the future.

But until Thailand is able to even be a part of the present, then the rest of what you say is abstract and won't pertain to Thailand for a long time yet!

R

Edited August 12, 2011 by robsamui

[KhunBJ]

Anything that can improve learning which I believe this could contribute to should be welcomed ... Thai curriculum will change over time ... try to look at your own countries , how it was 50 years ago and how it is today, how was the family structure 50 years ago and how is it today , how important was religion 50 years ago and how is it today , everything changes over time , also in Thailand, Thailand is not yet fully industrialized , it will be over time and then things will change to the better or worse.

Thailand doesn't want it to change. Thailand is doing everything it can to remain separate from the world outside, driven by obsessive nationalistic pride and a desperate clinging onto outmoded customs and traditions. Thailand doesn't want to learn from other countries - it fears them and their 'corrupting' influence. Thailand doesn't feel any need to rise above it's current low level of international competitiveness because it already believes that it's one of the finest countries in the world.

The government and administration of the Thai nation is purposefully keeping the country out of the mainstream of world educational and technological development - teaching about Thai culture and traditions in their schools and avoiding international awareness and integration.

All except for the children of the ruling classes - they are sent to school and university in America and Europe. Odd, that, isn't it?

R

Agree that the ruling classes, the upper echelon of society does not want to change anything, and since the state has a good grip on the available information to the citizens then they have been good at keeping status quo for years, I do however believe that nowadays there are other means of communication that the State cannot control, the social media we have today and which is bound to increase in the future .. so I think that over time common citizens will simply demand a better life and education...and then something will have to give in either peacefully or not, most other countries in the world have gone though such phases too.

I do respectfully disagree concerning Thailand's competitiveness , Thailand is indeed very competitive , just look at all the car manufacturers etc exporting to other parts of the world, I myself is in the Engineering sector and we have also been very competitive for years.... Thailand has also over the years been doing a great job in promoting Thailand as a tourist destination (Whether it is sustainable or not due to environmental destruction and greed is another issue), as a convention destination and even as a educational hub for expats both here and in other countries .... Thailand have even been quite successful in promoting itself as a medicare hub for people in the middle east...so there are a lot of capabilities and potential ... but the education system lacks quite a lot ... but as I still believe , hopefully over time it will improve.

After having stated that the education system here is lacking then all your points have their validity negated - which nation introduced the technology and know-how for the car-manufacturing plants? It wasn't Thailand. Did the Thai nation build the sky-train? No, I recall it was Germany. And where were the medical staff trained in this 'medicare hub'? - it wasn't in Thailand.

Tourism? I read somewhere this represents 8% of Thailand's income.

When the day arrives that Thai people - at all levels of society - gain humility, recognise and accept their limitations and are able to admit their failings without the insufferable and continual humiliation of losing face, then, yes, things will improve over time. The Japanese and South Koreans seized these opportunities like the drowning nations that they once were. But Thailand?

R

The remark was on competitiveness and which industries are here or not, where the know how derives from is in this context irrelevant, Thailand is competitive... when it comes to losing face then I am very convinced that this is more of an issue in Japan and Korea than here in Thailand, ...and of course the fact that Thailand has a very competitive industrial sector among others does not negate the requirement for for a development of the education system ... China is very competitive too ... and I am sure the general citizen's are not very well educated there as well....

We all have our limitations, sure you will agree on that ... we will agree on the importance on improving the education system...I like living here and am happy with that and try to respect that I am in Thailand in their world, Even now after many years, after having learned the language I do still come across things and behaviors that are strange to me but it does not mean that it is wrong, just different ..... If I did not like it here I would leave, that would be the right thing to do and I am sure you will agree with that too.

[thaicbr]

I think this a step too far for the Thai education system to manage effectively and I agree with those comments about the tablets being misused, lost , broken, sold etc. Wouldn't it be wiser to invest in one laptop per class, a projector and screen so then the class could still pay attention to the teacher whilst enjoying all those glitzy graphics. Sure there will be problems and glitches but overall it makes more sense to me than jumping straight in with personal tablets.

YES, YES . YES

Best idea.... Phua Thai please listen to this..............

But don't forget to service the computers and have a budget for new projector lamps etc....

Edited August 12, 2011 by thaicbr

[OzMick]

There is no substitute for books, but the costs are a large problem all over the globe.

Sad if schools' IT equipment is in bad repair. Maybe farangs with time & skills might drop into local school & offer free help? OGT

Sorry to have to tell you this, but doing so requires a work permit, even for voluntary unpaid work. Not at the risk of arrest and deportation.

[Bagwan]

Tablet Computers To Contain Text Books; Pheu Thai Policy - and large backhanders for those chosen as suppliers...

I wonder who will be writing the history content aka propaganda, brain washing for the use of.

[DP25]

Why not simply allow any Thai schoolchild's parents to claim a tax refund for any computer used by the child at school.

They'd have to be paying taxes first. Most people are working grey economy, don't make enough, or evade.

[wintermute]

I do respectfully disagree concerning Thailand's competitiveness , Thailand is indeed very competitive , just look at all the car manufacturers etc exporting to other parts of the world, I myself is in the Engineering sector and we have also been very competitive for years....

How many of those car manufacturers are Thai brands? Zero.

Various multinational companies set up brownfield factories in Thailand to assemble and manufacture labor intensive components to ship abroad under various well thought out tariff and trade schemes. They save a bundle by diversifying their factories abroad because of trade limitations and tariff rules. The cheap labor is all icing on the cake.

[DP25]

I do respectfully disagree concerning Thailand's competitiveness , Thailand is indeed very competitive , just look at all the car manufacturers etc exporting to other parts of the world, I myself is in the Engineering sector and we have also been very competitive for years....

How many of those car manufacturers are Thai brands? Zero.

Various multinational companies set up brownfield factories in Thailand to assemble and manufacture labor intensive components to ship abroad under various well thought out tariff and trade schemes. They save a bundle by diversifying their factories abroad because of trade limitations and tariff rules. The cheap labor is all icing on the cake.

Thai Rung is Thai owned and manufactures huge numbers of cars per year, mostly for foreign brands, but also under their own brand. Regulations also encourage investors to take on Thai partners. There are hundreds of companies involved in the auto industry here and most of them are completely Thai owned or majority owned. Almost everything that goes in to cars in Thailand is manufactured in Thailand. Industry here has become very competitive.

[Bagwan]

According to Education Minister Woravat Auapinyakul, each tablet will cost no more than Bt3,000 and its use-life should range from three to four years.

These guys are hilarious. Two jokes in one sentence.

I can't help thinking about all those expensive Christmas presents that kids are presented with in developed countries. Most of them broken or discarded by Boxing Day or the day after. 3 to 4 years??????

[wintermute]

Thai Rung is Thai owned and manufactures huge numbers of cars per year, mostly for foreign brands, but also under their own brand. Regulations also encourage investors to take on Thai partners. There are hundreds of companies involved in the auto industry here and most of them are completely Thai owned or majority owned. Almost everything that goes in to cars in Thailand is manufactured in Thailand. Industry here has become very competitive.

A thai company set up to assemble foreign automobiles and does its most profitable business under this model is by definition not a marketable global brand or a genuine attempt to increase Thailand's industrial competitiveness. It's still at its foundation an industry riding the coattails of globally competitive foreign brands. Thairung is no Toyota..it's more or less a profitable assembly business that does a side business producing subpar vehicles for its domestic market probably under corrupt concession agreements with the Thai government.

Industry here is not competitive. Labor is competitive because it's cheap. Real global branding is still scarce in Thailand. C.P. and Red Bull are probably the closest but even their success is ephemeral compared with the real industrial giants in the world economy.

Edited August 12, 2011 by wintermute

[robsamui]

I do respectfully disagree concerning Thailand's competitiveness , Thailand is indeed very competitive , just look at all the car manufacturers etc exporting to other parts of the world, I myself is in the Engineering sector and we have also been very competitive for years....

How many of those car manufacturers are Thai brands? Zero.

Various multinational companies set up brownfield factories in Thailand to assemble and manufacture labor intensive components to ship abroad under various well thought out tariff and trade schemes. They save a bundle by diversifying their factories abroad because of trade limitations and tariff rules. The cheap labor is all icing on the cake.

Thai Rung is Thai owned and manufactures huge numbers of cars per year, mostly for foreign brands, but also under their own brand. Regulations also encourage investors to take on Thai partners. There are hundreds of companies involved in the auto industry here and most of them are completely Thai owned or majority owned. Almost everything that goes in to cars in Thailand is manufactured in Thailand. Industry here has become very competitive.

Maybe so but point missed.

How many international Thai engineering patents are there? Do Thai engineers get invited to mastermind and establish overseas projects? Of the 'hundreds of companies' involved in auto projects in Thailand, how many of them utilised existing Thai knowledge and techniques - or were they provided with the specific skills simply for the job in hand ... making cars under a Japanese name and with Japanese direction?

It's all down to the value that's placed on education.

Overseas manufacturers have found that they can train Thai people to do just about anything. Thus Thailand might have the machinery but they need to be shown what to do with it.

R

Edited August 12, 2011 by robsamui

[robsamui]

Maybe so but point missed.

How many international Thai engineering patents are there? Do Thai engineers get invited to mastermind and establish overseas projects? Of the 'hundreds of companies' involved in auto projects in Thailand, how many of them utilised existing Thai knowledge and techniques - or were they provided with the specific skills simply for the job in hand ... making cars under a Japanese name and with Japanese direction?

It's all down to the value that's placed on education.

Overseas manufacturers have found that they can train Thai people to do just about anything. Thus Thailand might have the machinery but they need to be shown what to do with it.

R

PS - there was a long thread about Thai inventiveness here

It is enlightening to read this in the light of this current discussion!

R

[Gary A]

I'm sure that some of you parents know the outrageous cost of classroom textbooks. I'd guess that many if not most are outdated when purchased. I have a $139 Kindle reader that will hold all the text books in the entire school.

The information can be updated easily and effective teaching method lessons can be followed by the ineffective teachers. I think it can easily be a BIG win situation.

Shame on you people who see fit to make this a political issue.

What patents do the Thais hold, what's the difference? Think back when Japanese products were considered junk. Where is Japan now as far as innovative products? What makes you think that Thailand won't follow the same path?

ADDED - The money? How many full blown computers will the money taken from Thaksin buy?

Edited August 12, 2011 by Gary A

[metisdead]

Just a reminder that posts using derogatory nicknames for people will be deleted.

[atyclb]

Tablets

a little humour from someone who has lectured at 2 of the top bkk universities including school of medicine(quite good btw).

Using the same content, curriculum but delivered by/ aided by tablets will not accomplish much. A 21st century curriculum and approach could impact significantly. Training the mind to think and think outside of the box is what will make the country competitive with ASEAN nations.

If educational games for kids are used (math, grammar, science, spelling, history) it wouldn't be that bad.

Exactly! You nailed the point. Tablets shouldn't be merely used to display digitalized textbooks. The government should create a new multimedia platform with 3D animations, visual explanation, oral example (for foreign language learning) etc. That's precisely the added value of a tablet vs. a regular paper textbook.

Thank you for your kind words. I know there are many here that are all too familiar with the education system and culture, but it must start somewhere to have a chance to make a difference. At one point in time Singapore was hopelessly corrupt, yet today they are a different nation.

[thaicbr]

I'm sure that some of you parents know the outrageous cost of classroom textbooks. I'd guess that many if not most are outdated when purchased. I have a $139 Kindle reader that will hold all the text books in the entire school.

The information can be updated easily and effective teaching method lessons can be followed by the ineffective teachers. I think it can easily be a BIG win situation.

Shame on you people who see fit to make this a political issue.

What patents do the Thais hold, what's the difference? Think back when Japanese products were considered junk. Where is Japan now as far as innovative products? What makes you think that Thailand won't follow the same path?

But Gary we are NOT talking about the Kindle. We are talking about a cheap android tablet with a battery life of about 4 hours. We are talking about a country were most schools do not even have whiteboards.

Also how are the students going to fill in the books, how are the teachers going to mark the books. This will NOT replace text books it will just waste money that could be spent on better text books.

Finally where are the kids going to charge their tablets... we are talking P1 kids here who are going to have to plug in and charge these tablets at least once a day..in classrooms that MAYBE have 1 or 2 plug sockets (if any).

Electricity and young kids do not go together...

It's a flawed idea. It's as simple as that.

OUTRAGEOUS cost of text books... Maybe because the Education ministry does not do central buying. but generally imported text books are about 250b each. and the local ones from 60-120b.

Edited August 12, 2011 by thaicbr

[hammered]

Basically the move to e-books in academia is a given worldwide. They can be updated and ammended in almost realtime and cost will be lower. There are also no problems with out of stock or print issues. As I understand it in Thailand judging by what Asia Books have said, the problem right now is a technical one related to Thai fonts and relevant apps. No doubt a govrnment initiative like this will result in it quickly being overcome. Thailand isnt insane here. They are just copying what is going to happen worldwide. In academia e-books have too many advantages over print ones

[thaicbr]

Basically the move to e-books in academia is a given worldwide. They can be updated and ammended in almost realtime and cost will be lower. There are also no problems with out of stock or print issues. As I understand it in Thailand judging by what Asia Books have said, the problem right now is a technical one related to Thai fonts and relevant apps. No doubt a govrnment initiative like this will result in it quickly being overcome. Thailand isnt insane here. They are just copying what is going to happen worldwide. In academia e-books have too many advantages over print ones

What even at P1 level.... lets be realistic about what we are talking about here.. 6 year old kids.

Do you have any countries that are giving e-book readers or tablets to 6 year olds????

Edited August 12, 2011 by thaicbr

[DP25]

IF they were serious about education they'd be better off giving out cheap netbooks, not tablets. Then could actually learn to do useful work on them and not just watch youtube videos and play Angry Birds

[thaicbr]

IF they were serious about education they'd be better off giving out cheap netbooks, not tablets. Then could actually learn to do useful work on them and not just watch youtube videos and play Angry Birds

IF they were serious about education the Phua Thai Government would not bother with any of this BUT instead bring the classrooms into the 21st century.

And then provide the tools to the teachers so that THEY the teachers with the support of the Ministry of Education can provide 21st century teaching. Things like projectors, white boards, learning software.

And GOOD text books for each subject for the whole country not just the posh good schools in each province.

[arrowsdawdle]

Tablet Computers To Contain Text Books; Pheu Thai Policy - and large backhanders for those chosen as suppliers...

And exactly how is this different from printing textbooks?

[scorecard]

Basically the move to e-books in academia is a given worldwide. They can be updated and ammended in almost realtime and cost will be lower. There are also no problems with out of stock or print issues. As I understand it in Thailand judging by what Asia Books have said, the problem right now is a technical one related to Thai fonts and relevant apps. No doubt a govrnment initiative like this will result in it quickly being overcome. Thailand isnt insane here. They are just copying what is going to happen worldwide. In academia e-books have too many advantages over print ones

Long-term you may well be right, in regard to some teaching & learning materials. But don't forget that it needs power and internet connection.

But your still missing the point, P1 children should be focused on reading and hand writing skills, not keyboard skills which nowadays they develop quickly through contact with other equipment.

[arrowsdawdle]

The advantage to these tablets is that the entire education system will have to progress to keep up with them, especially those that are teachers in name only. Poor teachers will tend to oppose them because now students can Google to keep the teachers honest. This is why the whole system will progress. Students may not be allowed to ask questions of teachers in order to save teachers' face if they don't know the answer, but now students can find the answers and need not protect incompetent teachers. Inept teachers will become known to parents and concerned parents will pressure school administrators. This may also cut in to the teachers' scam of not teaching during school hours in order to get paid for tutoring after school. A student that becomes competent with the tablet and Internet will need far less tutoring than ones that depend wholly on textbooks and the teacher.

[thaicbr]

The advantage to these tablets is that the entire education system will have to progress to keep up with them, especially those that are teachers in name only. Poor teachers will tend to oppose them because now students can Google to keep the teachers honest. This is why the whole system will progress. Students may not be allowed to ask questions of teachers in order to save teachers' face if they don't know the answer, but now students can find the answers and need not protect incompetent teachers. Inept teachers will become known to parents and concerned parents will pressure school administrators. This may also cut in to the teachers' scam of not teaching during school hours in order to get paid for tutoring after school. A student that becomes competent with the tablet and Internet will need far less tutoring than ones that depend wholly on textbooks and the teacher.

oh RIGHT....really and HOW will they google anything if the school does not have wifi.........Not forgetting of course that we are talking about PRATOM 1....SIX (6) YEAR OLD KIDS.

http://youtu.be/XhdMqdbY5MQ

an example of a normal run of the mill Prathom 3 classroom...note 2 years older than the recipients of the tablets.

Edited August 12, 2011 by thaicbr

[noahvail]

Ok, so now they've promised cheap tablets with e-textbooks. It's a start. But what happens when a kid walks home through a thunderstorm with his tablet in his cheap backpack, and it gets soaked through - or drops it - or it simply develops problems? How will he do his homework without being able to access the e-books?

If they don't plan on replacements for dead machines, or loaners whilst a tablet is out being repaired, I can see lots of problems for the kids.