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dirtydog

Learning how to teach teachers to excel

It's an experiment to find the best way for tutoring science and maths

An experimental project for selected students countrywide hopes to create excellence in the teaching of science and mathematics, the Basic Education Commission says.

The science project involves Mahidol Wittayanusorn School and the 12 Princess Chulaporn Schools for Science.

Mahidol Wittayanusorn is the country's first specialised science school for the "full development of exceptionally gifted and talented students".

The Chulaporn schools for gifted students mentor junior researchers for national science and technology development.

Together they aim to improve the quality of science teaching. Starting soon, the Nakhon Pathom-based school will open classrooms at each of the Chulaporn schools.

Class sizes will be limited to 24, according to commission deputy secretary-general Som-kiat Chobphol. Each class will receive Bt600,000 a year.

"Mahidol Wittayanusorn will provide much-needed teaching personnel. This should help the Chulaporn schools advance more quickly in science teaching," Somkiat said.

The schools are for Matha-yom 1 to Mathayom 6 students and are located in 12 upcountry provinces.

Mahidol Wittayanusorn will recruit the students, who will receive scholarships for the duration of their studies.

They will be taught the same curriculum as Mahidol Wittaya-nusorn and sit similar exams.

"Gifted students in the provinces do not need to come to Bangkok. We hope to mentor these students to further their studies in science for national science and technology development," said commission secretary-general Khun-ying Kasama Varavarn na Ayudhya.

The classrooms will re-ceive new Infor-mation Techno-logy equipment.

Teachers fresh from scho-larship study will be appointed, too.

In mathematics, the Pro-motion of Tea-ching Science and Technology Institute will take 1,750 schools under its wing.

Teachers will be trained and provided with handbooks.

The commission is promoting techniques such as "brain-based learning" - or teaching with an awareness of how the brain learns - and methods employed at schools that uses the Montessori concept for teaching and learning

Montessori techniques are now applied in 60 state schools. A fewer number is trying brain-based techniques and the widely praised practices of the Kumon private-tuition institute.

"We have observed different techniques and we are open to other initiatives. Tests at the end of the school year will tell us which are the better," Kasama said.

The commission is emphasising language teaching, too. More schools are now offering English as the medium of instruc-tion. This means there is less need for classes in learning to speak English and more time for other subjects.

About 500 schools offer Chinese and China has sent 1,000 teachers here. "It's global education. We need to know who we are in the global community," Kasama said.

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Marmite the Dog

I think they'd be shocked if they actually heard the truth.

Hootad Binky

Ok.
How? What special training do they have?
O.k.
Inexperienced teachers?
Trained in what methodology?

watterinja

The fundamental problem lies in the Asian brain, which seems to be biased towards anything other than technical stuff. Sure, you do find the occasional exception to the rule - as in any society - but, I really doubt that Thais will beat equivalent western minds when it comes to creative thinking.

Creative thinking in a free-wheel sense is something totally foreign to an Asian mind which understands incremental change, from a known position. Contrast Japanese-designed cars to Italian Ferrari's. The best Japanese designs will have a certain creative flair from an outside designer.

When you factor in Thai laziness on top of the typical Asian mind - then technology would not be a worthwhile option. To be sure...

Bexar County Stud

"brain-based learning" - or teaching with an awareness of how the brain learns"
Hmm, as opposed to teaching with an awareness of how the kidneys or other organs learn?
Call me cynical, but this sounds like more BS education jargon. But the Montessori method, that's a good direction to go in IMO.

Mid

as long as the end result is logical thought ,

who cares how they get there .....................................

Marmite the Dog

Have to disagree with you.

It's akin to blaming society for the development of paedos and other low-life. It's a cop-out.