In recent years, there has been much hype about the integration of information and communications technology (ICT) into classrooms with huge investments made for hi-tech devices. Yet, very little research has been done to determine the best path for people to take for "integration".
There are now so many emerging technologies to choose from. How can one know which one is the most effec-tive for the local learning/teaching envi-ronment? Without research to get insights into what is best for Thailand's educational sector, efforts to introduce hi-tech devices look set to fail to deliver maximum benefits.
It is not sufficient to rely on findings of foreign research alone because the context in each country is different. Only by conducting research on the use of ICT in Thailand's educa-tion sector can one know how the best schools, universities, educators and students should embrace hi-tech devices.
Quality research, indeed, could help determine which technologies should be used and what would be best for the interests of children.
However, such research takes careful preparation and understanding.
To prepare quality research, it is necessary that one first finds the right research questions, framework and methodology.
The right research questions would focus on what the educational sector needs to know for efficient technological implementation. More often than not, this is related to research purposes and findings from previous studies.
The research questions usually deter-mine the framework and methodology, which describes the scope and a set of steps that a study should follow when conducting research and how to find answers for research questions.
Some examples of good research questions would be:
nDoes educational technology bol-ster academic achievement?
nDoes educational technology X or Y lead to greater academic achievement?
nWhat factors increase the likelihood that a teacher will adopt educational technology?
nWhat factors increase the likelihood that a student will welcome educational technology?
nDo students with previous comput-er experience gain more benefits from the introduction of educational technolo-gy into class activities?
nWhat research methods do educa-tional technology researchers tend to use?
nUnder what circumstances do they use those methods?
nWhat are the strengths and weaknesses of using those methods under a variety of dif-ferent research situations?
nWhat is the best method for educa-tional technology research and develop-ment?
nWhat is the best method to imple-ment and improve the utility of techno-logical innovations?
nHow effective is each item of educational technology?
With the right research questions, researchers can then work out proper methodology and go ahead with their mission to find out how to best use technology for educational purposes in Thailand.
Because research is important in determining what is best and effective, the government should allocate funds to educational-technology researchers before jumping into a new ICT plan. The country's educational sector needs clear guidelines before moving ahead. Otherwise, there is a risk of wasting time, money and energy on things that not really work.
PRIYAKORN PUSAWIRO
Learning Scientist
Computer Engineering Department, KMUTT