Govt must totally focus on education technology

[webfact]

EDITORIAL

Govt must totally focus on education technology

By The Nation

 

Smartphone penetration can skyrocket soon, changing “schooling” forever

An estimate that 70 per cent of the world population will have smartphones in three or four years is a sensible prediction.

After all, by the end of this year, the numbers will edge closer to 50 per cent, which is very significant already. A lot of people will get smarter, as education can be boosted alongside the growth of mobile phone ownership. That some aspects of education will get easier does not mean policymakers can be complacent, though.

 

Thailand, one of the countries struggling with education, has always focused on human teachers when it comes to the quality of its schools. Access to good learning materials have been largely underrated. When it is not underrated, it is highly politicised, for good or bad reasons. A painful example is the former Pheu Thai government’s computer tablet project, which was embroiled in various controversies, with critics branding the scheme the “right” thing initiated to serve vested interests.

 

The poor choices for education minister are typical in this country, with the Cabinet portfolio often considered unwanted and given to the least-qualified candidates simply to please their factions.

 

It’s time for politics to make way for a real educational revamp. Children are living in a world where most learning materials are at their fingertips. School “text books” will get remarkably cheaper and “lighter”, as everything can be kept on one tablet, e-reader or handphone. In addition to “conventional” education content, digital education technology allows students to pursue special interests or maximise their talent or gifts.

 

It seems education is in for a big leap, particularly when considering the remarkable projection of smartphone penetration for 2020, when the device is expected to be considerably cheaper than today. The government, however, must be a willing and efficient facilitator. There have been attempts to provide cheap wi-fi accessibility but they are not sufficiently serious or prevalent. Perhaps a major stumbling block is the telecom sector, which has been gunning for the highest profits with lukewarm attention to poor children.

 

In a country willing to spend big on military purchases, a Bt100-billion education masterplan that takes advantage of technology should not be a problem. Even if it becomes more expensive, considerably fewer people will complain than did when the submarine purchase plan became public.

 

A smarter population certainly is of greater help to a country than military might, which can succumb to technological changes in the blink of an eye. 

 

Global competitiveness will revolve around countries that make the best use of technology in education. Applications are in place that can enable poor African kids to speak fluent English within months. 

 

According to some reports, smartphones are everywhere – in places such as the United Arab Emirates, Sweden, Switzerland and South Korea. As of last year, Thailand was ranked 31st in the world in terms of mobile phone penetration, with 40.5 per cent. 

 

The country is below Malaysia (64.1 per cent) but above Vietnam (26.4 per cent), the Philippines (23.3 per cent) and Indonesia (20.7 per cent).

 

More people using smartphones may be good news for telecom companies. Cheaper wi-fi access may not be. But to help Thai education, the latter must go along with the former, and it’s the government’s job to make it happen sooner rather than later. This is not something debatable, like electoral measures or even cheap transport for city people. The government has the financial resources, connections and political muscle to push through a technology-based education vision.

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/opinion/30324394

 

 

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2017-08-21

[z42]

Or maybe just take an honest look at the flaws in terms of content delivery, assessment methodology, corruption in all levels, and assessmen of teacher competency.. Fancy gadgets and gimmicks only work if the basic foundations that promote learning are in place first

[wakeupplease]

Education yes, but stop the propaganda rubbish

 

A smarter population certainly is of greater help to a country than military might, which can succumb to technological changes in the blink of an eye.

 

Might What run and hide

[jaltsc]

"A smarter population certainly is of greater help to a country than military might..."

 

I doubt that any military government in control of any country wants this idea to flourish.

Edited August 20, 2017 by jaltsc

[Samui Bodoh]

1 hour ago, webfact said:

Access to good learning materials have been largely underrated. When it is not underrated, it is highly politicised, for good or bad reasons.

 

This is the root of the problem.

 

As the Thai language isn't really used anywhere else, all the materials in that language are produced locally.

 

And those materials focus on (often politically-motivated) facts rather than on developing critical thinking.

 

The equation is simple. If Thailand develops a good education system, it will have a good future. If it doesn't, it won't.

 

Period.

[PatOngo]

But the mushroom method has worked for decades.........keep them in the dark and feed them BS!

[mtls2005]

I thought that the Junta had already finished with Education "reform(s)"?

 

Are the students not reciting Prayut's "Twelve Thai Values" twice daily at a passing grade?

 

https://coconuts.co/bangkok/lifestyle/students-recite-prayuths-12-values-daily/

 

 

The absolute last thing the Amart/Junta wants is an educated populace. Best to keep them dumbed down on the farm, otherwise they'll start questioning the "system".

 

The current state of the Thai education system is a feature and not a bug.

 

 

 

Edited August 21, 2017 by mtls2005

[RichardColeman]

Asked my Thai wife the other week, what has Thailand ever invented technology wise that the world can't live without ? She's still thinking.

[Oziex1]

Yes the budget allocation for techno gadgets will benefit some.

[StayinThailand2much]

2 hours ago, z42 said:

Or maybe just take an honest look at the flaws in terms of content delivery, assessment methodology, corruption in all levels, and assessmen of teacher competency.. Fancy gadgets and gimmicks only work if the basic foundations that promote learning are in place first

I don't doubt the good intentions of the writer of this article. However, Thailand spending 100 billion baht on education, rather than prestigious military projects??

 

Also, while practically all teenagers in Thailand possess a smartphone these days, they don't seem to use it to search for educational content, but rather for chatting and playing games... And, even though, "...most learning materials are at their fingertips. .." those teenagers would need to motivate themselves to actually use this plethora of information.

[StraightTalk]

56 minutes ago, RichardColeman said:

Asked my Thai wife the other week, what has Thailand ever invented technology wise that the world can't live without ? She's still thinking.

Okay I bite: Which country has invented a technology that the world can't live without?

[Thian]

1 hour ago, RichardColeman said:

Asked my Thai wife the other week, what has Thailand ever invented technology wise that the world can't live without ? She's still thinking.

coca cola with ice and a straw in a plastic bucket...and it's very handy when you're on the go.

[robblok]

9 minutes ago, SouthernDelight said:

Okay I bite: Which country has invented a technology that the world can't live without?

The Dutch invented the Microscope and telescope... both quite useful and without them healthcare and astrology would have been off a lot worse. 

 

Im pretty sure most European countries can pride themselves in a few good inventions. 

Edited August 21, 2017 by robblok

[vogie]

I don't think I could get through the day without my portable head toilet roll.

 

 

[worgeordie]

"education technology", they are not thinking of buying more Tablets for the kids ,

from China, wonder how many of the last lot ,that were going to solve all problems

are still actually working.

regards worgeordie

[quandow]

I was teaching when the Chinese tablets were introduced. I just COULDN'T BELIEVE one video lesson  of a young Thai girl "obtaining" a debit card from an older guy, inserting it into an ATM and punching in a pin so money would come rolling out! Honest to GAWD you can't this stuff up!!!

Edited August 21, 2017 by quandow

[quandow]

The whole concept of physical books must come to a screeching halt. The major obstacle is all the kickback "tea money" involved. I see these kids struggling up the stairs carrying backpacks weighing more than THEY do!

[maewang99]

they focus on the teachers.

they focus on technology.

 

hey what about the students? the ones that go to public schools.

smartphones cannot readily convey Theory of Mind. no video can. no picture can.

a farmer cannot know which counters to put his savings into, nor even that there is a 3/7 tax refund on the dividends.... so he puts it in a retail bank account at a negative real rate (that means after living cost increases).

stop it. you have a gigantic social contract which justifies having much better health coverage for only some Thai folks... those who are ajarn to the national government.......
 

INSTEAD of being like Thai people.... including at the hospital...... and being teachers....... to the STUDENTS instead of the national government du jour......

who are constantly drilling the students that reading books is a joke and something to piss on by copying them etc etc..... and teaching them nonsense.

the farmer can read. but he don't. he don't read. books.

nor his son or daughter.  voraciously.  for pleasure.  for life. 

ONLY reading..... everything else, including playing with a smatphone... is something a dog, cat, cow or pig also can do and enjoy... try it..... show a doggie video to a... dog or cat.

ditto eating and sleeping, even traveling... a dog or cat also enjoys.

but actually connecting with the rest of humans... reading books that you have to pay money for... anything that is free i.e. "Facebook"....  is only worth WHAT YOU HAD TO PAY FOR IT.... with or without the adverts and free nonsense.....  for a very simple reason. 







 

Edited August 21, 2017 by maewang99

[Krataiboy]

Yeah, but. . .

 

Anybody who seriously believes any government  - least of all a military-led regime representing the elite - is interested in using education for its true purpose rather than the control and manipulation of its citizens is living in la-la land.

 

This is why state schooling is always compulsory and why parents who would prefer to use the excellent programmes available through existing digital technology to home-school their children are treated as eccentric heretics to be hindered and handicapped rather than helped.

 

Of course smartphones could be used to revolutionise Thai education. But they won't - because the last thing any ruling administration wants is an enlightened and questioning electorate able and willing to call them to account.

 

Why does the author of this "think" piece imagine the generals changed their minds over the proposed ban on Facebook? They realise social media is their greatest ally in keeping the twittering, tweeting masses diverted, dumbed-down and docile. Hail the smartphone -  the new opiate of the people.

[Krataiboy]

Yeah, but. . .

 

Anybody who seriously believes any government  - least of all a military-led regime representing the elite - is interested in using education for its true purpose rather than the control and manipulation of its citizens is living in la-la land.

 

This is why state schooling is always compulsory and why parents who would prefer to use the excellent programmes available through existing digital technology to home-school their children are treated as eccentric heretics to be hindered and handicapped rather than helped.

 

Of course smartphones could be used to revolutionise Thai education. But they won't - because the last thing any ruling administration wants is an enlightened and questioning electorate able and willing to call them to account.

 

Why does the author of this "think" piece imagine the generals changed their minds over the proposed ban on Facebook? They realise social media is their greatest ally in keeping the twittering, tweeting masses diverted, dumbed-down and docile. Hail the smartphone -  the new opiate of the people.

[Srikcir]

The Prayut government was going to install interactive "whiteboards" in classrooms.

https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/949626-interactive-whiteboard-choices/

How is that progressing and how practical given its cost.

[robblok]

2 minutes ago, Srikcir said:

The Prayut government was going to install interactive "whiteboards" in classrooms.

https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/949626-interactive-whiteboard-choices/

How is that progressing and how practical given its cost.

Not sure, but unlike the YL tablets it seems from the link your quoting schools get a budget for it and can spend it themselves. So no big kickbacks like on the tablet deal. But I doubt that all this going higher tech will actually help. More teachers.. smaller classes might be a much better way to go. Though less opportunity to skim from that so that might never happen. 

[MrJohnson]

10 minutes ago, Krataiboy said:

Yeah, but. . .

 

Anybody who seriously believes any government  - least of all a military-led regime representing the elite - is interested in using education for its true purpose rather than the control and manipulation of its citizens is living in la-la land.

 

This is why state schooling is always compulsory and why parents who would prefer to use the excellent programmes available through existing digital technology to home-school their children are treated as eccentric heretics to be hindered and handicapped rather than helped.

 

Of course smartphones could be used to revolutionise Thai education. But they won't - because the last thing any ruling administration wants is an enlightened and questioning electorate able and willing to call them to account.

 

Why does the author of this "think" piece imagine the generals changed their minds over the proposed ban on Facebook? They realise social media is their greatest ally in keeping the twittering, tweeting masses diverted, dumbed-down and docile. Hail the smartphone -  the new opiate of the people.

Bang on. Schooling is very much an instrument for social control. Group-think and compliance is what it is all about. The author of the Nation article has failed to see what an abject failure the internet has been. It has offered so much and delivered so little. Likewise smartphones. They are only as smart as the person holding them. Purveyors of pornography, marketeers  and people sharing cute kitten videos will continue to dominate the usage of 'smartphones'. There is no doubt about the potential of these devices but it is simply not being realized. There is so much that is wrong with the Thai education system it is hard to know where to start. The idea that embracing smartphone technology is a panacea to the problem is laughable. Unfortunately it comes after a long list of laughable solutions, quick fixes, smoke and mirrors.

[Srikcir]

6 minutes ago, robblok said:

So no big kickbacks like on the tablet deal.

One would hope so but it wouldn't be the first time that we've seen reports of corruption in school administration with regard to education budgets.

[robblok]

1 minute ago, Srikcir said:

One would hope so but it wouldn't be the first time that we've seen reports of corruption in school administration with regard to education budgets.

True, the kickbacks could be at a lower level. 

 

Anyway I am a tech head.. i love technology and computers. Just think that in Thailand more teacher education and smaller classes would be much better then all that new technology that has to be maintained and has to be taught to the teachers.  But then again education is not my field so I could be totally wrong. 

[PatOngo]

2 hours ago, SouthernDelight said:

Okay I bite: Which country has invented a technology that the world can't live without?

Americans can't seem to live without the gunpowder invented by the Chinese!

[Artisi]

Can just see it now, instead of "good morning class, sit down open your books and shut up"  it 

will now be "good morning class, sit down switch on you phones and shut up".

Technology advancement is wonderful, isn't it? 

[StraightTalk]

4 hours ago, robblok said:

The Dutch invented the Microscope and telescope... both quite useful and without them healthcare and astrology would have been off a lot worse. 

 

Im pretty sure most European countries can pride themselves in a few good inventions. 

Although you digress, I agree the invention of an instrument to discover objects smaller than a naked eye can see is indeed a remarkable achievement.