Reviving free-tablet project urged as Thai education must adapt to digital age

[Thaddeus]

Chalk on a blackboard, marker pen on a whiteboard or pinkies on a tablet.

If the teacher can't teach, you get the same results.

[NeilSA1]

So the kids were given tablets a year ago to use

Then the tablets were taken away

Really bright as had already been paid for

Make nice dust collectors somewhere

I thought the problems were that they were so poorly made they broke down and couldn't be repaired quickly enough, that the school curriculum was not catered to allow their inclusion in teaching and in a lot of cases never actually arrived.

Yes, that is what I thought as well.

These news articles are often worded to influence the readers attitude. A perfect example is "The project to provide free tablets to students, the brainchild of the elected government of Yingluck Shinawatra, was scrapped not long after Prayut seized power in a coup." It puts Prayut in a poor light and at the same time seemingly places YL in a favorable light.

Brainchild - Merriam-Webster www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/brainchild

Merriam‑Webste

" an idea, plan or creation of one person"

[brain150]

Well, I guess all posters in here know very well the dangers of electro smog, expecially microwaves like in WiFi ???

It is proven fact that microwaves from WiFi affect the health of children in a very bad way !!!

Cancer [according to the WHO !!!] !!! Autism !!! Alzheimer !!! Parkinson !!!

The radiation interferes with the [not only] the human biology, expecially cell communication !!!

If you don't like kids, get them into a microwave environment and buy them a mobile phone, tablet and get them WiFi.

If you DO like children, get aware of the very real health problems in connection with these devices and technologies.

[lostinisaan]

Curiosity is a fundamental basis of creativity, and art fosters it. Bailey stressed the significance of fostering art in science. He cited the great physicist Albert Einstein, whose famous relativity theory is the result of musical perception. Music was the driving force behind his discovery.

"You have to learn the rules of the game. And then you have to play better than anyone else."

But why do children hate school? Educational thinker Dan Haesler asked: "Would children go to school even if they didn't have to? Children would go to school if schools instilled in them a sense of living a life high on interest, curiosity and absorption."

"Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results."

Dr Stanley Frielic of Auckland University of Technology asked why did Apple, and not Sony, invented the iPod? Apple products are indeed products of creativity that claim to have changed the world.

"The difference between stupidity and genius is that genius has its limits."

Associate Professor Bundit Thipakorn of King Mongkut's University of Technology Thonburi said the free-tablet project was a good initiative but failed because it was poorly planned, as teachers were not properly trained on how they could integrate the devices into students' learning.

Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former.

Great innovators like Facebook co-founder Mark Zuckerberg and Apple's Jobs or even Bill Gates were school dropouts, and yet their technology companies have provided jobs for millions.

Weakness of attitude becomes weakness of character.

Whoever is careless with the truth in small matters cannot be trusted with important matters. A.E.

Edited April 7, 2015 by lostinisaan

[DM07]

Well, I guess all posters in here know very well the dangers of electro smog, expecially microwaves like in WiFi ???

It is proven fact that microwaves from WiFi affect the health of children in a very bad way !!!

Cancer [according to the WHO !!!] !!! Autism !!! Alzheimer !!! Parkinson !!!

The radiation interferes with the [not only] the human biology, expecially cell communication !!!

If you don't like kids, get them into a microwave environment and buy them a mobile phone, tablet and get them WiFi.

If you DO like children, get aware of the very real health problems in connection with these devices and technologies.

...and get them a tinfoil- head, like the one, you are wearing?!

[Godders]

HOW education is delivered is less important than WHAT is delivered. Junk food served on a silver salver is still junk food.

Thailand is one of the world's biggest spenders on state education, per capita, in the world. Yet the results are dismal, with Thai kids the dunces of Asia in terms of intellectual and academic ability.

Thai children, I know from two decades of living here and raising a family of five, are not born stupid. They are made that way, courtesy of the adults responsible for running one of the world's least efficient education systems.

A lot needs to be done to enable Thai children to compete in ASEAN and the wider world. Teaching standards in both the Kingdom's public and private sectors are generally lamentable and urgently need to be raised through better training schemes and tougher qualifying standards.

Too many government school buildings are old and run down and the poor facilities - how many have gyms, science and computer labs, woodwork and metalwork rooms? - belie the size of the annual education budget..

There needs to be less rote learning and more interactive work. The plan to introduce tablet computers at infant/junior schools could be a step in the right direction.

Most crucially, the arcane Thai examination system needs to be replaced with an internationally-recognised standard, such ICGSE or its US equivalent, to give Thai children gain qualifications they can use beyond their own backyard.

It is difficult to see any of this happening, of course, under a regime whose emphasis on promoting "Thainess" has resulted in more school time being spent on reciting Thai virtues, singing nationalistic songs and engaging in other activities unlikely to enhance the younger generation's global competitiveness.

[zydeco]

No.

[Shiver]

Thailand should look at the ‘Raspberry Pi’ project, which has been such a massive success in UK schools; it gets children interested in programming and the technical side of computers.

It is also cheap, $35!

That's an excellent idea. Covers a lot of bases for a good foundational skill set.

[MaiChai]

Most kids have a smartphone which is the same as a tablet. Thus I think tablets at school are not needed and teaching basics like maths, writing skills and logical thinking and reasoning is more important. Especially maths as a lot of Thais are lousy at basic maths.

[jayboy]

Must be a real bitch sifting through policies from a government you ousted to reinstate what you canned.

[casualbiker]

Must be a real bitch sifting through policies from a government you ousted to reinstate what you canned.

Who's reinstating what?

[Bluespunk]

Must be a real bitch sifting through policies from a government you ousted to reinstate what you canned.

This is adobes representative recommending this, not the govt.

Are you suggesting adobe are now responsible for deciding govt policy and are doing so by reviving the complete failures of PT?

[geriatrickid]

There's a problem in that about 80% of all information on the net is in English. The computer languages are also based on English (and there's that small matter of ASEAN official language).

Back in the day when I was a kid computer hobbyist, I was a fast 2 finger typer. When I went on my first IT course, they wouldn't let us near a computer, but instead insisted that we learn on a full throw typewriter how to touch type properly to minimise typos and get higher speed, after which we were set free on the computers (I presume they didn't want tippex on the screens). It has served me well, even though I objected at the time as it seemed irrelevant.

What anyone is going to learn about technology on a tablet that they can't learn on a classroom computer leaves me a bit puzzled. I can also imagine the kids being embarassed to be seen with a school tablet after it's no longer current generation, and they might start mysteriously disappearing or getting smashed.

Getting even just the basics of some kind of Microsoft certification, or learning how to build a database, a server, a network or something would be useful overview info, even if it is not their chosen field to specialise in.

[Edit]: A couple of 3D printers and learning CAD/CAM might not be a bad idea either. That could be fun for the kids.

There's an even bigger problem: People who make guesses and then present them as fact. The current estimate of english language content at websites is 55% and dropping fast, with estimates at 50%.

Computer language by their very definition are their own language. While they may use English language keywords, this does not make them "english". If Klingon can be used for programming (the infamous va'araq) then so too can Thai. Of course, this might require additional work as the use of english makes it easier to steal the intellectual property of others.

The reason why tablets are favoured over classroom PCs is very simple: Cost. A tablet is relatively cheap and it can easily be replaced. A PC is expensive and requires more extensive support.

In respect to the technical skills of building a database, server, network etc., they should be restricted to those with an interest or an aptitude. Otherwise it is a waste of time. Normal well adjusted kids are not the least bit interested in these activities.

[jayboy]

Must be a real bitch sifting through policies from a government you ousted to reinstate what you canned.

This is adobes representative recommending this, not the govt.

Are you suggesting adobe are now responsible for deciding govt policy and are doing so by reviving the complete failures of PT?

Why not? The Democrats copied most of the populist policies - not that it did them much good.As the Junta continues to destroy and sabotage Thailand's future,I wouldn't be surprised if they resorted to similar desperate measures.

[Bluespunk]

Must be a real bitch sifting through policies from a government you ousted to reinstate what you canned.

This is adobes representative recommending this, not the govt.

Are you suggesting adobe are now responsible for deciding govt policy and are doing so by reviving the complete failures of PT?

Why not? The Democrats copied most of the populist policies - not that it did them much good.As the Junta continues to destroy and sabotage Thailand's future,I wouldn't be surprised if they resorted to similar desperate measures.

Why not?

Maybe because they were catastrophically inept populist disasters……..

Yep, that just about covers it.

Also when did the Dems introduce a poorly thought through car buying policy, a failed tablet scheme, a disasterous rice scheme? When did they take rice and then fail to pay for it?

Edited April 7, 2015 by Bluespunk

[casualbiker]

Must be a real bitch sifting through policies from a government you ousted to reinstate what you canned.

This is adobes representative recommending this, not the govt.

Are you suggesting adobe are now responsible for deciding govt policy and are doing so by reviving the complete failures of PT?

Why not? The Democrats copied most of the populist policies - not that it did them much good.As the Junta continues to destroy and sabotage Thailand's future,I wouldn't be surprised if they resorted to similar desperate measures.

What Shinawatra clan policies did the Democrat government copy.. Name one!

[deckape]

If tablets are introduced in classroom, at least the kids will be able to explain to the teachers how it works.

Hardly. All teachers at my school have tablets and smartphones. They use them all the time even while sitting at the front of the classroom or sitting outside the classroom. The students are doing the same so I guess everybody is happy happy.

Exactly. Why buy students tablets when their noses are already pressed into a phone.Every day the bar is lowered...

[NeverSure]

There's an even bigger problem: People who make guesses and then present them as fact. The current estimate of english language content at websites is 55% and dropping fast, with estimates at 50%.

I wonder what percent of internet content that's for learning is in English? What important articles or information on technology could I find in Thai? How much of the equivalent of an encyclopedia is in English vs Thai?

English is one of the world's equalizers where a German, Syrian, Thai, Chinese and Brit can have a meeting. It is an equalizer for sharing information on the internet. I see computers as another way to immerse children in English.

I agree that sites like Facebook and others may have a huge percentage in various languages, but one couldn't teach a lot of things without English. If nothing else, it was the English speaking West that led and leads the information age.

If I'm mistaken, please tell me why almost every country is making an effort to teach its children English?

[tbthailand]

Must be a real bitch sifting through policies from a government you ousted to reinstate what you canned.

This is adobes representative recommending this, not the govt.

Are you suggesting adobe are now responsible for deciding govt policy and are doing so by reviving the complete failures of PT?

Why not? The Democrats copied most of the populist policies - not that it did them much good.As the Junta continues to destroy and sabotage Thailand's future,I wouldn't be surprised if they resorted to similar desperate measures.

What Shinawatra clan policies did the Democrat government copy.. Name one!

quite a few, but it is a normal thing. They even had their own disastrous rice subsidy...

This junta plagarized every major policy of the Yingluck government in the first month of it's reign...

again, it's not really that unusual in any country...

[NongKhaiKid]

If a new tablet scheme is implemented and the devices are restricted as to what can be accessed in order to promote education I can't see many students bothering to use them.

[NeverSure]

I agree that every school should have a computer lab. It would probably take some retired farangs to teach it. These kids are going nowhere without computer skills and their android isn't going to do it.

Probably about 15 years ago I was asked to teach a beginning computer class to senior Americans. This was an evening class held at a public school in a lab. These people didn't know how to turn a computer on much less create a text file, choose where to save it, and then find it. Most of them had a goal of learning to write letters and also to send and receive emails. Think of it. They didn't understand word processing as all they knew was a typewriter. This is really starting at the bottom and it's easy to see why they were lost.

People pick up these skills best when they are very young. I know 12 year olds who are writing programming code. How will Thai kids ever catch up?

[Bluespunk]

Must be a real bitch sifting through policies from a government you ousted to reinstate what you canned.

This is adobes representative recommending this, not the govt.

Are you suggesting adobe are now responsible for deciding govt policy and are doing so by reviving the complete failures of PT?

Why not? The Democrats copied most of the populist policies - not that it did them much good.As the Junta continues to destroy and sabotage Thailand's future,I wouldn't be surprised if they resorted to similar desperate measures.

What Shinawatra clan policies did the Democrat government copy.. Name one!

quite a few, but it is a normal thing. They even had their own disastrous rice subsidy...

This junta plagarized every major policy of the Yingluck government in the first month of it's reign...

again, it's not really that unusual in any country...

Which major policies were copied?

[casualbiker]

Must be a real bitch sifting through policies from a government you ousted to reinstate what you canned.

This is adobes representative recommending this, not the govt.

Are you suggesting adobe are now responsible for deciding govt policy and are doing so by reviving the complete failures of PT?

Why not? The Democrats copied most of the populist policies - not that it did them much good.As the Junta continues to destroy and sabotage Thailand's future,I wouldn't be surprised if they resorted to similar desperate measures.

What Shinawatra clan policies did the Democrat government copy.. Name one!

quite a few, but it is a normal thing. They even had their own disastrous rice subsidy...

This junta plagarized every major policy of the Yingluck government in the first month of it's reign...

again, it's not really that unusual in any country...

Really! The Democrats rice policy was indeed a subsidy not a supposedly self sustaining revolving fund ( it wasn't self sustaining), why was the Dems scheme disastrous?

[Bluespunk]

It wasn't from what I recall, was working as well as these things ever do.

[jayboy]

Must be a real bitch sifting through policies from a government you ousted to reinstate what you canned.

This is adobes representative recommending this, not the govt.

Are you suggesting adobe are now responsible for deciding govt policy and are doing so by reviving the complete failures of PT?

Why not? The Democrats copied most of the populist policies - not that it did them much good.As the Junta continues to destroy and sabotage Thailand's future,I wouldn't be surprised if they resorted to similar desperate measures.

What Shinawatra clan policies did the Democrat government copy.. Name one!

Don't be so ignorant or if that can't be avoided don't bother posting.The Democrat Party election programme in 2012 blatantly copied Thai Rak Thai's so called populist policies.It's not up for debate.

[casualbiker]

Must be a real bitch sifting through policies from a government you ousted to reinstate what you canned.

This is adobes representative recommending this, not the govt.

Are you suggesting adobe are now responsible for deciding govt policy and are doing so by reviving the complete failures of PT?

Why not? The Democrats copied most of the populist policies - not that it did them much good.As the Junta continues to destroy and sabotage Thailand's future,I wouldn't be surprised if they resorted to similar desperate measures.

What Shinawatra clan policies did the Democrat government copy.. Name one!

Don't be so ignorant or if that can't be avoided don't bother posting.The Democrat Party election programme in 2012 blatantly copied Thai Rak Thai's so called populist policies.It's not up for debate.

Whose ignorant! Your the the one that failed to answer the extremely simple question!

Again for the hard of reading.

What Shinawatra clan policies did the Democrat government copy?. Name one!

[lostinisaan]

I agree that every school should have a computer lab. It would probably take some retired farangs to teach it. These kids are going nowhere without computer skills and their android isn't going to do it.

Probably about 15 years ago I was asked to teach a beginning computer class to senior Americans. This was an evening class held at a public school in a lab. These people didn't know how to turn a computer on much less create a text file, choose where to save it, and then find it. Most of them had a goal of learning to write letters and also to send and receive emails. Think of it. They didn't understand word processing as all they knew was a typewriter. This is really starting at the bottom and it's easy to see why they were lost.

People pick up these skills best when they are very young. I know 12 year olds who are writing programming code. How will Thai kids ever catch up?

They'll never catch up. Take their fancy uniforms away that make them look like five star Army generals and make them understand that they do not come right after Buddha.

Put some salt in, stir in well, then tell all of them that they can't lose their faces. "Educate them all that "Passa Farang" doesn't necessarily mean English and you're good to go.

But who's going to educate them?

[jayboy]

Must be a real bitch sifting through policies from a government you ousted to reinstate what you canned.

This is adobes representative recommending this, not the govt.

Are you suggesting adobe are now responsible for deciding govt policy and are doing so by reviving the complete failures of PT?

Why not? The Democrats copied most of the populist policies - not that it did them much good.As the Junta continues to destroy and sabotage Thailand's future,I wouldn't be surprised if they resorted to similar desperate measures.

What Shinawatra clan policies did the Democrat government copy.. Name one!

Don't be so ignorant or if that can't be avoided don't bother posting.The Democrat Party election programme in 2012 blatantly copied Thai Rak Thai's so called populist policies.It's not up for debate.

Whose ignorant! Your the the one that failed to answer the extremely simple question!

Again for the hard of reading.

What Shinawatra clan policies did the Democrat government copy?. Name one!

Difficult to have a dialogue with someone so comically ignorant.Did you note that you are alone in your idiocy.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/07/03/us-thailand-election-idUSTRE76013T20110703

There are dozens of such reports confirming the Democrats copying of TRT policies in healthcare, minimum wage, infrastructure.

Incidentally what you call Shinawatra policies were endorsed by the Thai people in a resounding election victory.

Now the Junta is copying those policies too.

If you show some evidence of having done basic homework I can continue the dialogue.Otherwise Sayonara.

[casualbiker]

Must be a real bitch sifting through policies from a government you ousted to reinstate what you canned.

This is adobes representative recommending this, not the govt.

Are you suggesting adobe are now responsible for deciding govt policy and are doing so by reviving the complete failures of PT?

Why not? The Democrats copied most of the populist policies - not that it did them much good.As the Junta continues to destroy and sabotage Thailand's future,I wouldn't be surprised if they resorted to similar desperate measures.

What Shinawatra clan policies did the Democrat government copy.. Name one!

Don't be so ignorant or if that can't be avoided don't bother posting.The Democrat Party election programme in 2012 blatantly copied Thai Rak Thai's so called populist policies.It's not up for debate.

Whose ignorant! Your the the one that failed to answer the extremely simple question!

Again for the hard of reading.

What Shinawatra clan policies did the Democrat government copy?. Name one!

Difficult to have a dialogue with someone so comically ignorant.Did you note that you are alone in your idiocy.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/07/03/us-thailand-election-idUSTRE76013T20110703

There are dozens of such reports confirming the Democrats copying of TRT policies in healthcare, minimum wage, infrastructure.

Incidentally what you call Shinawatra policies were endorsed by the Thai people in a resounding election victory.

Now the Junta is copying those policies too.

If you show some evidence of having done basic homework I can continue the dialogue.Otherwise Sayonara.

And yet again, no answer!

And you call me comical.. I'm talking about YOU answering the question, not just posting a link to a newspaper report.

Name one policy that the Democrats copied.. I would say none!

Definition of copy!

cop·y

ˈkäpē/

noun

1.

a thing made to be similar or identical to another.

"the problem is telling which is the original document and which the copy"

[bornz]

Must be a real bitch sifting through policies from a government you ousted to reinstate what you canned.

This is adobes representative recommending this, not the govt.

It's funny to see his own ignorance derailed further to the point of his calling others the same while takes some real comedy twists.

Difficult to have a dialogue with someone so comically ignorant.

10 out of 10 for thread derailing and name calling.

Edited April 8, 2015 by bornz