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[title]Attapol Thamrongrattanarit’s unconventional educational background—he was in a language-centric program in high school but took his Ph.D in computer science—is mainly responsible for his ground-breaking use of digital technology to teach linguistics at the Faculty of Arts in Chulalongkorn University.
Eschewing a traditional way of education, Attapol has been using digital technology in his classes even long before COVID-19 struck. “I have been producing online lessons for my students, and have been implementing Learning Management Systems like Google Classroom in my courses. You could say I haven’t used a single piece of paper to teach,” he says, laughingly.
Now that the pandemic has forced schools and universities to close, students and teachers are encouraged to engage in virtual classrooms. And Attapol is doing his part to make sure the transition is easier for his colleagues. “I volunteered to teach [older teachers] how to use online teaching platforms,” he reveals. Prerecorded online classes are the most popular avenues and, to Attapol, the most efficient way to provide education in these times of social distancing. “Not every student is privileged to get access to a fast internet connection. In case of a technical glitch or a disruption at home, they can pause the lesson and continue whenever they want. A lot of teachers opt for live teaching through applications like Zoom, but this is more effective for discussions, not for one-way lecturing.”
Thai education has long relied on tradition, with teaching methods that prioritize passive learning and one-way communication. Attapol thinks that the implementation of technology will promote more interaction and meaningful engagement between educators and students. He also believes that it will offer more flexibility for both parties. “Teachers and students are restrained by workloads and tight schedules, and it could be difficult to schedule a meeting during the day. On a digital platform, everyone can agree on convenient time. You will be surprised to know that 22:00 is the most agreeable time for my students because they are free from all distraction and they can focus on the lesson more effectively at night."
The progressive lecturer does not deny digitalizing education will reveal a disparity among students. On a national scale, online education may pose problems for students from low-income families who cannot afford to buy a computer. “Scholarships should be extended to computers too. You can’t deny that computers and gadgets will be important for education in the future.”
The prospect of going completely online to teach is also stirring debates with regards to the testing process. For Attapol, online learning will open up new possibilities for evaluation. “Personally, I feel the conventional way of giving tests is dehumanizing. There are many possible ways to evaluate students, such as assignments or projects. However, many lecturers still refute these methods. There have been talks that students would have to show their faces and their hands clearly [on the screen] and everyone would have to wear their university uniform. It’s just theater for the sake of security!”