March 28, 2021 – the Institute for Research and Development in Teaching Profession for ASEAN IRDTP), the Education Section of Khon Kaen University, Center for Research in Mathematics Education (CRME), Thailand Society of Mathematics Education, Education Foundation for Thinking Skill Development, and Education Equity Funding held the online opening ceremony of the 14th National Open Class. Assoc. Prof. Charnchai Panthongviriyakul, M.D., President of Khon Kaen University conveyed the opening address. Over 1,500 people attended the event online including administrators and students of Khon Kaen University, directors of Education Service Areas, Educational Supervisors, directors of schools, teachers and interested public.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Maitree inprasitha, Vice President for Education and Academic Service explained that this event marked the 14th year of the Open Class Conference. The organizer wanted to convey the many hidden meanings of the open class and one of these was that the open class can very well reduce the time or close the gap between the policy and classroom practices. For instance, at present, the Ministry of Education and the Foundation Education Bureau have the policy to join in developing the teaching profession (PLC), which has been interpreted in many aspects. However, at Khon Kaen University by the Center for Research in Mathematics Education (CRME), research and development has for over 20 years been carried out on the use of innovations in the classroom. Therefore, the open classroom is part of the Lesson Study and Open Approach, which can truly raise the quality of the classroom. These approaches can make the PLC policy practicable in classrooms. “The event today will enable those in the circle of teacher training see the picture of the open class and see where classroom qualities lie. This is the 14th year of the 20 years of educational reform in our country, and we begin to see the light at the end of the tunnel. I truly hope that the open class by the Center for Research in Mathematics Education (CRME), the Institute for Research and Development in Teaching Profession for ASEAN and all of the network institutions will continue to progress and make the national policy successful.”
Assoc. Prof. Charnchai Panthongviriyakul, M.D., President of Khon Kaen University said that this event demonstrated the continuous attempts of the Institute for Research and Development in Teaching Profession for ASEAN and the Center for Research in Mathematics Education (CRME), as well as the network institutions in the development of the teaching profession, in which connection is made between the teacher training system and the developmental system of teachers at work with several institutions all over the country. In addition, the work also responds to KKU’s strategies in Education Transformation, Research Transformation, Academic Service Transformation, and Collaboration/Coordination Projects.
The opening ceremony of the 14th National Open Class was organized online on March 27-28, 2021. The activities included:
1) A recorded talk by Prof. Yutaka OHARA from College of Education, Kanto Gakuin University on: How to Update Our Education after Covid-19 Pandemic and a talk by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Maitree Inprasitha, Vice President for Education and Academic Service on instruction that emphasizes thinking skill development based on the Open Approach.
2) An Open Class activity by an overseas expert, Prof. Toshinobu Hatanaka from Toho University, Japan in Science subject for Grade 6.
3) An Open Class activity by teachers experienced in the use of classroom innovations and open class, totaling 6 classes in Science and Mathematics subjects and Integrated studies.
4) A case study in the academic roles of directors of schools where innovations are used in instruction under COVID-19 pandemic.
5) A Virtual Exhibition of schools in the project, the Institute for Research and Development in Teaching Profession for ASEAN (IRDTP), Center for Research in Mathematics Education (CRME), Thailand Society of Mathematics Education (TSMEd) and the Mathematics Certification Institute of Thailand (SUKEN)
News: Rawiporn Saisaenthong
Photos: The Institute for Research and Development in Teaching Profession for ASEAN IRDTP), the Education Section of Khon Kaen University
