Just as so many schools are going after high-tech tools like the Internet and computer programmes to enhance their students' learning experiences, I opt for things much simpler.
Everything in a student's surroundings in fact can provide a lesson or more.
During a recent lunch break, I ran into a group of students who were enjoying rice with tomyam kai (spicy sour soup with chicken) and fried gourd with egg.
"Oh, some ingredients here came from the sea," I raised the topic.
The students became very curious. They carefully examined what they had on their plates. They were trying hard to find an answer, and I got many responses.
Then, a boy said, "I've got it. The water is from the sea. Sea gives vapour that soars up to form cloud. The cloud precipitates to give us rain. Then, a cook uses the rainwater to prepare this soup for us".
From a very simple question, I successfully encouraged my students to exercise their brains and to think about things around them. The boy, for example, could retrieve his science knowledge for use.
"What food is from the soil then?" I asked. And came many more answers.
Sometimes, I just point at millipedes and ask students to do the drawing. From there, I will ask analytical questions like, "What do millipedes and men have in common?" and "Why does the Earth need to have millipedes".
All such lessons can be conducted without the need to rely on expensive, power-consuming devices.
I am not against modern technology. However, I would like to make it clear that teachers do not need to rely on just hi-tech tools. Even without these expensive devices, they can teach so many things to their students.
At the Lamplaimat Pattana School, students do have access to computers, Internet and the likes. Yet, students spend more time thinking and working with their brains.
All teachers here have encouraged students to search for answers themselves through discussions. During the discussions, the students have learnt not just new knowledge, they have also learned to interact with one another, to share opinions, and to respect one another.
It is not necessary that teachers must provide answers for students all the time. Through such discussions, the students more often than not can come up with the answers themselves. The discussions, moreover, are successful tools to engage the students deeply in the learning process.
Teachers must understand that without active learning and real attention to class, students will hardly learn anything even if they sit in the most well-equipped learning facilities.
Therefore, I would like to urge all teachers to utilise resources at hand in enhancing their students' learning. Everything around us can be used as a lesson. All teachers need to do is to integrate it efficiently into class activities that may appear in classroom or even in a schoolyard.
Knowledge has no boundary and hi-tech tools are by no means the fundamental part of learning.
WICHIAN CHAIYABANG
Headmaster of Lamplaimat |Pattana School