Faculty of Education, KKU answers the new Thai Reserve Officer Training Corps Student program by applying Active Learning in training the teachers
June 13, and 17-18, 2019 – Assoc. Prof. Dr. Issara Kanjak, Associate Dean for Strategies and Organization Development; Asst. Prof. Dr. Jarunee Samat, Associate Dean for Education and Quality Development and a group of graduate students of Faculty of Education, Khon Kaen University were invited by the Territorial Command Unit of the Army, through Colonel Kritpas Tojamroen, Director of the Education and Training Unit of the Territorial Command Unit, to run a workshop on “Active Learning Innovation”. The workshop was aimed at increasing the potential of over 250 military training teachers from 34 military circles and one Territorial Defense School.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Issara Kanjak, Associate Dean for Strategies and Organization Development said that the workshop on active learning innovation has been developed from a research study of a research team from Faculty of Education and an intellectual innovation and technology research team, which is headed by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Sumalee Chaijaroen, Dean of Faculty of Education. Active learning activities rely on technology as a stimulant (Technology-Enable Active Learning – TEAL). This approach builds a new learning environment that answers the new-generation learners by integrating new pedagogies, which comprise: Flipped classroom, Constructivism, Creative Problem Solving together with the use of emerging technology especially smart phone as a learning construction tool.
The important aim of this training is to answer the new curriculum of Thai Reserve Officer Training Corps that will be used in the next academic year. It is also the policy of the army commander to change instructional approach and course content to suit the new-generation learners and the changing society. TROTC students should learn through practices, and thus lecturing will be reduced and replaced by new tools. The training on June 13 was for the trainers affiliated to the Territorial Command Unit. On June 17-18, the training was for the Thai Reserve Officer Training Corps Centers from all over the country including directors of the centers and trainers from military circles.
The workshop featured lecture on the new educational paradigm that is undergoing transformation from teaching paradigm to learning paradigm. This was followed by direct experience building in active learning based on technology. The last activity was the workshop in designing instruction that was consistent with each trainer’s responsible course. This was based on Technological Pedagogical and Content Knowledge (TPACK). The Chief of Staff and the commander of the Territorial Defense Unit. The delegation from KKU had a chance to visit trainers of courses. Follow-up work and evaluation will be carried out at a later stage with collaboration between Territorial Defense Unit and Faculty of Education of Khon Kaen University.
News Source: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Issara Kanjak, Associate Dean for Strategies and Organization Development
