http://www.bangkokpost.com/blogs/index.php?blog=64&disp=comments th-TH http://backend.userland.com/rss 60 Sun, 09 Nov 2008 11:06:36 +0000 Vic [Visitor] c452@http://www.bangkokpost.com/blogs/ This last comment by Chula Ajarn should be read by all because it is so undeniable that Thailand's present political problem stemmed from the fact that the general populace are under, or semi, or wrongly-educated that serve no purpose for the realization of a real democratic society. <br /> <br /> And while it is always easy to put the blame on the Ministry of Education I do think that the real reason why the quality of education of this country keeps going down hill is just a matter of economic. You get what you pay for. <br /> <br /> As long as a teaching profession is being treated as the last choice with the lowest wage and self-esteem in any scale to be chosen by high school graduates when it's time to further their studies the situation will only gets worse, because, after 4 years in education college, the bottom 10% of the class will call themselves the educators (that teach books).
And while it is always easy to put the blame on the Ministry of Education I do think that the real reason why the quality of education of this country keeps going down hill is just a matter of economic. You get what you pay for.

As long as a teaching profession is being treated as the last choice with the lowest wage and self-esteem in any scale to be chosen by high school graduates when it's time to further their studies the situation will only gets worse, because, after 4 years in education college, the bottom 10% of the class will call themselves the educators (that teach books).]]> http://www.bangkokpost.com/blogs/index.php/2008/10/03/the-poison-in-history-textbooks?blog=64#c452 Sat, 08 Nov 2008 13:06:01 +0000 Chula Ajarn [Visitor] c451@http://www.bangkokpost.com/blogs/ One of the major problems with teaching and learning any subject in this country is firstly, that most Thai teachers lack basic up-to-date education methodology and secondly are reluctant to give up their status as virtual omnipotent classroom dictators.<br /> <br /> It's no small coincident that the Thai expression "teach book" is often used to denote the profession, rather than saying, "I am a teacher" because that's often what most Thai teachers simply do - just teach the book, without any enquiry into other sources, let alone drawing on their own knowledge, experience and opinions (if they even have any).<br /> <br /> All this talk of education reform has led to nothing, simply because the people going on about it (The Ministry of Education) don't have the basic underlying knowledge of what it entails and those that would implement it - the teachers - not only don't understand it, but are afraid of it and therefore are opposed to it.<br /> <br /> The fear comes from the fact that in student-centred education (whichever of the many approaches one takes), students are encouraged to think critically and challenge. Just imagine the uproar if a Thai student challenged a teacher about something the teacher had said. In the present situation, that student would most likely be punished severely in some way, simply for questioning the teacher.<br /> <br /> As lecturers in international programs, Farang faculty are always at odds with their Thai counterparts, largely because of the discrepancy between the old, mind-numbingly dull rote-teaching/learning approach of Thai teachers vs. the student-centred, blended-learning approach of Farang teachers with its emphasis on critical thinking, learning-process, and a self-learning contructivist approach that encourages students to argue with and challenge not only each other but their teachers, as well.<br /> <br /> Needless-to-say, Farang teachers are viewed by many Thai teachers and administrators as a danger to the traditional status quo of not just the education system, but Thai society at large.<br /> <br /> In my own program, the entire Farang faculty encourages active participation of the students in their own learning-process. The focus in modern education in the developed world has shifted almost completely from the idea of teaching to the idea of learning. While the notion of a teacher as facilitator has long been established in educational practice internationally, it still remains a foreign concept to most Thai teachers. With the ever-increasing presence of international schools and international curriculum in Thailand, friction is increasing between those who would keep Thailand and its youth somehow locked in some petrified Thai cultural/social Twilight Zone and those who realize that Thailand cannot remain relevant, if it doesn’t encourage independent thinking in its young people.<br /> <br /> Yet, trying to tell Thais this is almost invariably met with incredible hostility coupled with the all-to-familiar, “This is Thai culture. You’re a Farang and don’t understand”.<br /> Actually, at least in my case, I understand perfectly. Unlike most of my Thai colleagues, I come from a multi-cultural country that through necessity has had to embrace divergent cultures, traditions and beliefs in order to grow. I’ve travelled widely and seen cultures both older and more conservative than Thai culture struggling to grapple with a rapidly changing world and many cases doing a much better job of it.<br /> <br /> The conclusion I have come to is that clinging irrationally to long-held, racist and xenophobic beliefs as perpetuated in the Thai history books at the centre of this blog, and worst, keeping your people ignorant and lamely trying to freeze your culture in some fuzzy time-warp, only serves to shore up the insecure masters who are ill-equipped and afraid to deal with an informed, enlightened populace. The true nationalists are those that would fight this insidious trend in the Thai establishment.<br />
It's no small coincident that the Thai expression "teach book" is often used to denote the profession, rather than saying, "I am a teacher" because that's often what most Thai teachers simply do - just teach the book, without any enquiry into other sources, let alone drawing on their own knowledge, experience and opinions (if they even have any).

All this talk of education reform has led to nothing, simply because the people going on about it (The Ministry of Education) don't have the basic underlying knowledge of what it entails and those that would implement it - the teachers - not only don't understand it, but are afraid of it and therefore are opposed to it.

The fear comes from the fact that in student-centred education (whichever of the many approaches one takes), students are encouraged to think critically and challenge. Just imagine the uproar if a Thai student challenged a teacher about something the teacher had said. In the present situation, that student would most likely be punished severely in some way, simply for questioning the teacher.

As lecturers in international programs, Farang faculty are always at odds with their Thai counterparts, largely because of the discrepancy between the old, mind-numbingly dull rote-teaching/learning approach of Thai teachers vs. the student-centred, blended-learning approach of Farang teachers with its emphasis on critical thinking, learning-process, and a self-learning contructivist approach that encourages students to argue with and challenge not only each other but their teachers, as well.

Needless-to-say, Farang teachers are viewed by many Thai teachers and administrators as a danger to the traditional status quo of not just the education system, but Thai society at large.

In my own program, the entire Farang faculty encourages active participation of the students in their own learning-process. The focus in modern education in the developed world has shifted almost completely from the idea of teaching to the idea of learning. While the notion of a teacher as facilitator has long been established in educational practice internationally, it still remains a foreign concept to most Thai teachers. With the ever-increasing presence of international schools and international curriculum in Thailand, friction is increasing between those who would keep Thailand and its youth somehow locked in some petrified Thai cultural/social Twilight Zone and those who realize that Thailand cannot remain relevant, if it doesn’t encourage independent thinking in its young people.

Yet, trying to tell Thais this is almost invariably met with incredible hostility coupled with the all-to-familiar, “This is Thai culture. You’re a Farang and don’t understand”.
Actually, at least in my case, I understand perfectly. Unlike most of my Thai colleagues, I come from a multi-cultural country that through necessity has had to embrace divergent cultures, traditions and beliefs in order to grow. I’ve travelled widely and seen cultures both older and more conservative than Thai culture struggling to grapple with a rapidly changing world and many cases doing a much better job of it.

The conclusion I have come to is that clinging irrationally to long-held, racist and xenophobic beliefs as perpetuated in the Thai history books at the centre of this blog, and worst, keeping your people ignorant and lamely trying to freeze your culture in some fuzzy time-warp, only serves to shore up the insecure masters who are ill-equipped and afraid to deal with an informed, enlightened populace. The true nationalists are those that would fight this insidious trend in the Thai establishment.
]]> http://www.bangkokpost.com/blogs/index.php/2008/10/03/the-poison-in-history-textbooks?blog=64#c451 Wed, 05 Nov 2008 16:09:03 +0000 Vic [Visitor] c450@http://www.bangkokpost.com/blogs/ So, Chula Ajarn is not a history teacher but a history student (who teachs creative arts). That's even better because, unlike a teacher, being a student is a never-ending life venture. <br /> <br /> And may I suggest that Chula Ajarn use the creative part of his/her day job and find a really creative way to push across his/her thought to those who are not yet open to any kind of criticism, especially from a foreigner?
And may I suggest that Chula Ajarn use the creative part of his/her day job and find a really creative way to push across his/her thought to those who are not yet open to any kind of criticism, especially from a foreigner?]]> http://www.bangkokpost.com/blogs/index.php/2008/10/03/the-poison-in-history-textbooks?blog=64#c450 Wed, 05 Nov 2008 08:12:16 +0000 new [Visitor] c449@http://www.bangkokpost.com/blogs/ Ultra-nationalism. Only politically unstable countries resort to this! History is a fascinating subject, but the Thai education ministry is certainly killing it unintentionally. That lese majeste laws hover over the writers clearly means any critical remarks of the monarchy throughout the ages is "crossing the line". Thai history is fascinating, but if we simply focus on sensationalising it the value is lost. http://www.bangkokpost.com/blogs/index.php/2008/10/03/the-poison-in-history-textbooks?blog=64#c449 Wed, 05 Nov 2008 00:38:12 +0000 Chula Ajarn [Visitor] c446@http://www.bangkokpost.com/blogs/ Maria Chula Student<br /> <br /> Excellent and well-thoughtout comments.<br /> <br /> I agree with your view of Chula. Having taught at a number of Thai universities (as well as others in the US, Canada etc.) before coming to Chula 3 years ago, I think that it's largely riding on its past reputation, which I feel has actually hindered its development. Chula is stuck in a time-warp in many cases, both in terms of the backward mind-set of its administrators and that of many of its faculty, but also in terms of its facilities and resources. Other universities, such Bangkok University have invested heavily in clasroom facilities and technology and therefore are light-years ahead of more complacent schools like Chula. What makes Chula good at all are its students, who still rank among the best in the country. Unfortunately, much of Chula's Thai faculty are not up to the standards of its students. <br /> <br /> To: Comment 30<br /> In fact, I'm neither a history nor a geography lecturer. Although, I research a great deal of history in my work. I teach a variety of subjects, including Cross-cultural studies but am specifically in the creative arts.<br /> <br /> <br /> Kanlayanee<br /> You said and I quote:<br /> "Because I said, how I proud of motherland,it has irritated and induced you to put those words "racism, xenophobia and persecution, Nazi" from your assumption. Don't you think those words are a little bit fantasy? This is 2008, why you still there at the early nineteenth century."<br /> <br /> Firstly, your ignorance of Nazi history as being from the "early nineteenth century" (actually 20th century, 1933-1945) again proves the original premise of this blog. If you're going to argue, then get your facts straight. I wasn't criticizing your nationalism, but your unquestioning, blind faith in what you were taught in school, which is the main theme of your original post.<br /> <br /> You stated: 'My pride was originated from history class. I don't care whether this subject would be base on true story or not. It’s the way to be unity. Without doubt, I totally believe in one who had written all stories in history subject..."<br /> <br /> Is it really true that you "don't care" if the subject is based on "true story or not" and that "without doubt" you believe in "all stories in history subject"?<br /> <br /> That's quite a dangerous way of thinking and the point of my previous Nazi reference. The German people were guilty of blind faith, without questioning anything, as well with disastrous results.<br /> <br /> The top-down, hierarchical nature of Thai society is the result of the same blind, unquestioning nationalism.<br /> <br /> The PAD and UDD, notwithstanding, the vast majority of Thais are unchallenging and complacent because they have been brow-beaten by one of the worst education systems in the world and an elistist government system both of which have been designed to keep the people down and ignorant.
Excellent and well-thoughtout comments.

I agree with your view of Chula. Having taught at a number of Thai universities (as well as others in the US, Canada etc.) before coming to Chula 3 years ago, I think that it's largely riding on its past reputation, which I feel has actually hindered its development. Chula is stuck in a time-warp in many cases, both in terms of the backward mind-set of its administrators and that of many of its faculty, but also in terms of its facilities and resources. Other universities, such Bangkok University have invested heavily in clasroom facilities and technology and therefore are light-years ahead of more complacent schools like Chula. What makes Chula good at all are its students, who still rank among the best in the country. Unfortunately, much of Chula's Thai faculty are not up to the standards of its students.

To: Comment 30
In fact, I'm neither a history nor a geography lecturer. Although, I research a great deal of history in my work. I teach a variety of subjects, including Cross-cultural studies but am specifically in the creative arts.


Kanlayanee
You said and I quote:
"Because I said, how I proud of motherland,it has irritated and induced you to put those words "racism, xenophobia and persecution, Nazi" from your assumption. Don't you think those words are a little bit fantasy? This is 2008, why you still there at the early nineteenth century."

Firstly, your ignorance of Nazi history as being from the "early nineteenth century" (actually 20th century, 1933-1945) again proves the original premise of this blog. If you're going to argue, then get your facts straight. I wasn't criticizing your nationalism, but your unquestioning, blind faith in what you were taught in school, which is the main theme of your original post.

You stated: 'My pride was originated from history class. I don't care whether this subject would be base on true story or not. It’s the way to be unity. Without doubt, I totally believe in one who had written all stories in history subject..."

Is it really true that you "don't care" if the subject is based on "true story or not" and that "without doubt" you believe in "all stories in history subject"?

That's quite a dangerous way of thinking and the point of my previous Nazi reference. The German people were guilty of blind faith, without questioning anything, as well with disastrous results.

The top-down, hierarchical nature of Thai society is the result of the same blind, unquestioning nationalism.

The PAD and UDD, notwithstanding, the vast majority of Thais are unchallenging and complacent because they have been brow-beaten by one of the worst education systems in the world and an elistist government system both of which have been designed to keep the people down and ignorant.]]> http://www.bangkokpost.com/blogs/index.php/2008/10/03/the-poison-in-history-textbooks?blog=64#c446 Tue, 04 Nov 2008 20:53:11 +0000 Maria Chula Student... [Visitor] c445@http://www.bangkokpost.com/blogs/ History is always written by the winners and most of the time, is fantasy. This isn't just for Thai history - you see it everywhere. <br /> <br /> Many Japanese textbooks will write a very different version of WW II than what an American text book will. An American textbook might devote only a few paragraphs to the Trail of Tears but will take out a few chapters describing the revolution, oppose to a book written by a Cherokee about the Trail of Tears. I'm all for schools teaching history, but I believe that there should be a motivation for everyone, everywhere, to seek the truth by studying history from every source available. <br /> <br /> And I don't think being "young" even at age 12 is an excuse for anything - when my colleagues and I were 12, we didn't believe everything the textbooks told us. A large part of that was thanks to a different educational system that stressed that the media is heavily manipulated, including textbooks. <br /> <br /> Thais should be learning about their history...but the textbook should come with a little warning sticker that says: "Please note that while a majority of this text is based on fact, what you are about to read may have been manipulated, exaggerated, or glossed with fantasy. Do not proceed without critical thinking skills and please compare this text with other resources."<br /> <br /> Actually...all so-call history textbooks should come with a warning like that. <br /> <br /> Btw, what makes Ms. Kanlayanee say that Chulalongkorn University is the best in Thailand? Even as a Chula student, I think the university is not necessarily the best in Thailand...a large part of Chula's current image is based on historical reputation. I'm not saying it's a bad university, but calling it the best in Thailand...based on what? All of my classmates would agree with me on this, including several of my Chula teachers.
Many Japanese textbooks will write a very different version of WW II than what an American text book will. An American textbook might devote only a few paragraphs to the Trail of Tears but will take out a few chapters describing the revolution, oppose to a book written by a Cherokee about the Trail of Tears. I'm all for schools teaching history, but I believe that there should be a motivation for everyone, everywhere, to seek the truth by studying history from every source available.

And I don't think being "young" even at age 12 is an excuse for anything - when my colleagues and I were 12, we didn't believe everything the textbooks told us. A large part of that was thanks to a different educational system that stressed that the media is heavily manipulated, including textbooks.

Thais should be learning about their history...but the textbook should come with a little warning sticker that says: "Please note that while a majority of this text is based on fact, what you are about to read may have been manipulated, exaggerated, or glossed with fantasy. Do not proceed without critical thinking skills and please compare this text with other resources."

Actually...all so-call history textbooks should come with a warning like that.

Btw, what makes Ms. Kanlayanee say that Chulalongkorn University is the best in Thailand? Even as a Chula student, I think the university is not necessarily the best in Thailand...a large part of Chula's current image is based on historical reputation. I'm not saying it's a bad university, but calling it the best in Thailand...based on what? All of my classmates would agree with me on this, including several of my Chula teachers.]]> http://www.bangkokpost.com/blogs/index.php/2008/10/03/the-poison-in-history-textbooks?blog=64#c445 Mon, 03 Nov 2008 15:38:22 +0000 Kanlayanee [Visitor] c442@http://www.bangkokpost.com/blogs/ Chula Arjarn,<br /> Thank you for your history information about Thais, but I am not a historian, I have no interest more about it. You have said about ever-shrinking world, so it's not only you, me too-people from third world country as you may call-can go on Google,Wikipedia,and many more websites to get those written histories.<br /> We keep our philosophy and flexible with hypotheses,we listen to what others say,we do not ask because somebody want us to ask and that question would destroy ourselves. We That why we have survived for over 700 years.We are not blinded by the system,neither ignorance.<br /> Because I said, how I proud of motherland,it has irritated and induced you to put those words "racism, xenophobia and persecution, Nazi" from your assumption. Don't you think those words are a little bit fantasy? This is 2008, why you still there at the early nineteenth century. Well, if we were that prejudice, I believe your teaching would not last for over 10 years.<br /> From your name, your students and colleagues on your example on C25 are at Chulalongkorn University?I guess.Really?!<br /> That the best University of Thailand! <br /> <br /> Thank you for your history information about Thais, but I am not a historian, I have no interest more about it. You have said about ever-shrinking world, so it's not only you, me too-people from third world country as you may call-can go on Google,Wikipedia,and many more websites to get those written histories.
We keep our philosophy and flexible with hypotheses,we listen to what others say,we do not ask because somebody want us to ask and that question would destroy ourselves. We That why we have survived for over 700 years.We are not blinded by the system,neither ignorance.
Because I said, how I proud of motherland,it has irritated and induced you to put those words "racism, xenophobia and persecution, Nazi" from your assumption. Don't you think those words are a little bit fantasy? This is 2008, why you still there at the early nineteenth century. Well, if we were that prejudice, I believe your teaching would not last for over 10 years.
From your name, your students and colleagues on your example on C25 are at Chulalongkorn University?I guess.Really?!
That the best University of Thailand!

]]> http://www.bangkokpost.com/blogs/index.php/2008/10/03/the-poison-in-history-textbooks?blog=64#c442 Mon, 03 Nov 2008 10:23:29 +0000 Vic [Visitor] c440@http://www.bangkokpost.com/blogs/ A harsh lecture by the (Canadian) Chula Ajarn (of history/geography,I presume) had me thinking.....How far back into history should we look in order for us to leap forward? Will a century or two be enough? Or should it be at least a millennium or even longer? For some countries a hundred years of anything is way too old and should be left forgotten. <br /> Go ask any average American (or Canadian, for that matter) how do they feel or what do they know about the native North American Indians or the Negro slaves and what you will get is most likely be a blank stare at best.<br /> My point about this subject of history is that we should not stop digging for the truth, and that no one is completely right or wrong until it is being proven and supported by hard evidence.<br /> And I am glad that I am in engineering where everything that we do can be rerified. Go ask any average American (or Canadian, for that matter) how do they feel or what do they know about the native North American Indians or the Negro slaves and what you will get is most likely be a blank stare at best.
My point about this subject of history is that we should not stop digging for the truth, and that no one is completely right or wrong until it is being proven and supported by hard evidence.
And I am glad that I am in engineering where everything that we do can be rerified.]]> http://www.bangkokpost.com/blogs/index.php/2008/10/03/the-poison-in-history-textbooks?blog=64#c440