Southeast Asian Student Teacher
Exchange Program at the
SURATTHANI RAJABHAT UNIVERSITY
Surat Thani, Thailand
Prepared by:
SISON, JULIE ANN A.
College of Teacher Education
Pangasinan State University
Bayambang, Pangasinan, Philippines
6th Batch SEA Teacher
- School: General Information and Academic Administration
After observation, please write a report about school general information and its academic administration according to topics as follows:
Wat Thungluang School is an integrated school where Level One to Level Nine are emerged into one. There are five hundred ten (510) students from the primary and secondary level and twenty-five (25) teachers.
The school started in the Buddhist year 2641, founded by Priest Peam Intasuwanno. At first, the school offer primary level of education from level one (1) to level six (6). As times passed by, they see the urgent need of the secondary level and decided to open it in the Buddhist year 2534.
VISION:
Quality school modern progress to ASEAN.
MISSION:
- Quality education according to educational standards.
- Encourage school personnel ass learning persons.
- Development of effective educational.
- Participation in educational management.
- School improvement.
- Encourage students to excellence.
The Historical Background of Wat Thungluang School
There are different organizations that cooperate and help each other in building the learning of the students. First, the government officials that provide the budget for the school. The budget has given to prioritize the facilities of the school like the Smart Learning Center, teaching materials, worksheets and such. Another is the parents, as they are the one responsible on the wellness of their children. They are the one knowing the progress of their child in terms of cognitive, psychomotor and attitude. And the last is the teacher, who gives all the time and passion in teaching. If a student fail in some exam, they talk to the students and try to understand the situation. They also develop another strategy to improve and help the students to learn.
Government Support – The Samsung Smart Learning Center
The strategies and methods in teaching is a combination of traditional and innovation of technology. Each subject has an hour to teach and to learn. There are five steps in the process of lesson planning. First, is the warm up it is the process where the should be motivated and had a glimpse of the lesson. Second is the presentation, here is the introduction of the main ideas and the discussion of the lesson. Next is the practice, as the laws of learning by Edward Thorndike states that instruction should be guided by practices to ensure the lifelong learning of the students. Another is the production, in moving towards the 21st century there is a need to emphasized the outcomes-based education. A tangible evidence to prove the learning of the students throughout the lesson. Lastly, the summary revolves in the critical thinking skills of the students. In this process students should comprehend, discuss and master the lesson discussed.
- Materials and other learning sources
Students used a printed worksheets and books prescribed by the head of education and created by the teachers. It is aligned to the curriculum and made ahead of time.
- Measurement and evaluation system
Thailand makes extensive use of standardized tests in its assessment system where they focus more on assessing the cognitive ability of the students. If they finish a unit or chapter, they will initialize an exam. The examination period will last haft a day where all the subjects are taken up.
A clear, coherent and relevant curriculum is at the heart of any good education system. The curriculum was based on the philosophy of John Dewey where it emphasized Learning by Doing. It gives a foundation and orientation for enhancing quality of life of learners, who would attain virtue, wisdom, as well as capacity to maintain Thailand’s competitive position in the world community.
Social Studies Curriculum
- Teaching plan (of your major)
Lesson plan used by my mentor in teaching being a good citizen
- Pedagogical Contents
After observation, please write a report on school pedagogical contents (where you were placed for practicum 2) according to topics as follows:
In teaching Social Studies class, I observed that students are more aligned into images or pictures. They understand the topic if they see it and sense it. I also observed that one must master using the mind maps to easily connect ideas to one another.
- Learning materials and innovation
Teachers used pictures to help the students comprehend and understand the topic. They also provide a worksheets and printed powerpoint presentation for if they will use the Samsung Room they can easily cope up with the lesson.
- Sources of learning and technology
The sources of learning of the students are from the learning materials given by the teachers. Books available at the library and the samsung tv and speaker available at the Learning Center.
Books and Television available at the Learning Center
In assessing the learning of the students there are two types of it, the written exam includes the multiple choice exam and such, another is the performance assessment like role playing.
- Teaching Plan
After observation, please write a report about school teaching plan according to topics as follows:
The quality of a curriculum depends to a significant extent on the quality of processes employed to produce it. These need to be carefully planned and administered. In teaching social studies, observed that we are obeying the curriculum. I see the link between topic after topic, just like in the Philippines – the spiral progression. Though, in every plan there will always be a loopholes, I see that there is a need for emphasis in every lesson – more activities and beyond also the worksheets and textbooks.
- Teaching plan related to your major
Based on my observation, teachers plan ahead of time. They use worksheets, powerpoint presentation to discuss the topic. It is compose of pictures for the students can imagine and picture out the scenario and happenings in the ancient times. Activities and assignments are also included in the worksheets, it enables the students do it ahead of time.
- Observation on Teacher(s)
After observing and studying about teacher(s), please write a report on following topics:
The whole lesson was actually planned ahead of time, it only depends on how you deliver it. My mentor used the five steps in planning, first is to choose an appropriate warm up activities that could relate to the topic; next is the presentation of the topic where the main ideas are presented; third is the practice , next is production and summary.
- Preparing lessons and materials
As per the instruction in the class it is a combination of traditional and computer-assisted instruction. The use of mind maps and other graphic organizer is also visible. Using cue words to describe a bigger concepts.
Social studies subject are taught using Thai Language. I see the need for students to listen for the teacher give punishment if they don’t. It is a way of discipline, to correct their wrongdoings. Classroom management is visible because the students can easily understand and communicate using their own language.
- Measurement and Evaluation
Teachers measure both the written and oral abilities of the students. The standardized exam are used to assess the learning of the students at the end of a unit. While the oral or performance task are used to let the students present their own ideas.
- Teaching Practice
For teaching practice, please write a teaching plan and consult with teacher (of your teaching subject). Then student teachers will be assigned to teach in class and reflect on their teaching after class. Please write a report on the teaching practice according to topics as follows:
It’s a challenge how to deliver instruction. As social studies subject in Thailand in every form are written in Thai. Hence, regardless of this matter I still do my best to reach out to them. In the first until the third week of the program, I was assigned to teach everyday. Despite of this, the first thing I did was to know my students. Knowing them can make them feel belong in the classroom and makes a lesson a bit easier. Next is knowing their likes and hates – with this we can actually derived on a specific activity that could cater all their needs. In teaching, I used mind maps, graphic organizer and pictures to let them acquire the knowledge in traditional instruction. In computer-assisted instruction, I used game-based method. An interactive learning for the students to enjoy and learn at the same time. In the beginning, I see the students potential in arts, so in practice I let them draw and present their works. In this activity, I give them around five minutes to finish their work and a minute to present it in the class. As collaborative and cooperative learning must be visible in the classroom setting, I used it as a tool to measure their individuality and also participation in the activity. For the summary, I also used KWL teaching strategy, I could easily come up with the the area I should focus on and develop.
- Time management and organizing activities
Organizing activity is easy but how you deliver it manage it to class is a different story. This is the difficult part for me, since my instruction is in English and they barely understand me. In my activities I actually exceed in the time I set, because I need to elaborate it further for them to fully understand the activity. Despite, all this loopholes, I am actually happy because little by little, step by step we are engaged to learn.
There is no such thing for me as best solution, it is actually a method that works. As I and my students are eager to learn, I tried my best to learn basic Thai words and also words that related to the subject I teach.
Managing a class is indeed a difficult part in a teacher especially in dealing with diverse students and different culture. In this part, I used technology like the powerpoint presenter – the laser on it pinpoint students who want to recite and students who needs disciplinary actions. It could actually boost the facilitating skills of a teacher, because I could roam around the four-corner of the classroom. Hence, there are times where I can’t control them and what I do is just stand in front of the class and be silent. In this manner, students could reflect on their wrongdoings.
- Summary and Suggestions
Student teachers summarize what you had done during your practicum according to topics as follows:
My main purpose why I joined this project was actually to be a globally competent individual that could compete in all ways internationally. I want to challenged myself and enhanced my teaching pedagogy and English skills. As a social studies major, learning involves a wide perspective about the world around us. It does not stop there, for it is a lifelong activity that involves social and mental capacity. Let me count the ways: I am deeply in love with the idea of international partnership and collaboration to improve education. . I am enlightened with the ways of different countries for we are learning, participating and teaching about it. Another is addressing barriers to inclusion. At last, the conquest of radical reform to effectively respond the changing global contexts.
Just like the Agora in the Ancient times, the orientation held at the Conference Room of Surtathani Rajabhat University was a total clash of minds – collaboration for the Sea Teacher Project. After this is the introducton of the participants and meeting with the mentors. I was assigned in Wat Thungluang School to teach Grade 8 and Grade 9 students. The faculty staff of the school heartfelty welcomed us like a home developing talents.
I followed what is embedded in the curriculum and teach after two days of observation. I both observed the teaching process and the assessment procedure at the school. My topic was given a day or two for me to prepare my lesson plan and presentation. It was actually a good thing last time that they gave me a timetable in teaching. I can prepare ahead of time and prolonged my preparation.
I realized that being a teacher is not just being a teacher itself. It is more like a mother, a friend, a companion, a nurse and even an adviser. At first I don’t actually know what to do, how to handle different kinds situations but then, it feels good to be true. I learned that staying where comfort prevails can’t make a person prevail over life’s challenges. One must take a risk and try and do and try again. A statement quoted by my mentor sink not just in my brain but also in my heart, he told me that, we can’t choose our students but our students choose us. As a teacher, we need to understand and analyze every situation. It was like, why does he act that way? why do they spent much time with this? At that moment, I reflect what was really my guiding philosophy in teaching – it was to heal and appreciate.
This project made me realize the difference of ideals into reality. In the Philippines, newly hired teachers are complaining about the system of education and some commit suicide. What was taught in school can be deceiving sometimes, they let you bloom with ideals and expectations in your teaching career. Now as I open my eyes and see the bigger picture of reality, it is an experience beyond the textbooks or even the money.
I learned to be independent and be who what I really are in my teaching pedagogy. I developed my own sense of adaptation – to conquer and to fight.
- The challenges of practicum
The biggest challenge I faced was the language barrier. The feeling that can’t be understand even if you try your best to be understood. With this undertaking, I begin to seek ways to be understood. I used google translate, I also used cut-outs and activities that could enhance their understanding.
This program is priceless. It will help you be an independent person, to go through with the struggles in life. Enhanced your teaching skills by doing it firsthand. And to see the goodness of every person even though they are suffering and had nothing. Though barriers may come, they will always go trying to help you. In teaching, students may not be good in speaking English but they are kind and persevere in all ways. It may not be the best school among all, but it’s a haven of true and meaningful teaching and learning experience.
- Suggestions for future improvement
I observed that shouldn’t lock up ourselves in the worksheets. There should be an additional information or link between subject matter. As history is the beginning of everything, maybe it is a must to connect it to real life situations. In this manner, students can relate and use it as a vital tool in the future. Furthermore, we should develop integrative teaching. As it could be an additional foundation and reference for learning. To let students imagine a world full of connections and to build critical thinking skills.
Name: Julie Ann A. Sison
Sending University: Pangasinan State University
Host University: Suratthani Rajabhat University
School: Wat Thungluang School
Blog Link: http:////juliepediation.home.blog
Julie Ann A. Sison 