February 23, 2021 – Khon Kaen University by the Education and Academic Service Section welcomed the executives from the Secondary Education Service Area Office 23 (Sakonnakhon) and the affiliated schools to a meeting to discuss the upgrading of pupils’ mathematics achievements according to the intention of Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Maitree Inprasitha, Vice President for Education and Academic Service, Acting Director of the Institute for Research and Development in Teaching Profession for ASEAN, acted as the chairman at the meeting. Among those attending were Asst. Prof. Kiat Saengarun, Dean of the Faculty of Interdisciplinary Sciences, Khon Kaen University Nongkhai Campus; Asst. Prof. Piyasak Pakkhothanang, Acting Deputy Director of the Institute for Research and Development in Teaching Profession for ASEAN; Assoc. Prof. Jumpon Rachawijit, Advisor for Service and Training of the Institute for Research and Development in Teaching Profession for ASEAN; Mrs. Jariya Pareephan, Deputy Director of the Secondary Education Service Area Office 23 (Sakonnakhon); and administrators and personnel from Than Phuying Jantimaphuengbarami School, Banmuang Pittayakhom School, and Kudruakham Pittayakhan School, which are affiliated with the Secondary Education Service Area Office 23 (Sakonnakhon).
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Maitree Inprasitha, Vice President for Education and Academic Service said that the meeting to discuss and listen to suggestions about the ways to improve the achievements in mathematics learning according to the intention of Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn was held between the Institute for Research and Development in Teaching Profession for ASEAN of Khon Kaen University and the Secondary Education Service Area Office 23 (Sakonnakhon), with the schools under the affiliation. This meeting was a good beginning for improving the mathematics instruction at the secondary level. Khon Kaen University has the potential to support in terms of knowledge, innovation, tools, teaching practicum students and supervision. The schools attending the meeting have joined in the project or have a pilot project in mathematics teaching and learning, and intention to develop mathematics learners.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Maitree Inprasitha added that the Institute for Research and Development in Teaching Profession for ASEAN of Khon Kaen University has applied the concept in developing mathematics instruction at all levels, with an emphasis on the new trend of learning, especially the planning of learning that aims at developing students’ thinking while teachers are supporters. In one class there can be more than one teacher helping to integrate students’ learning. This differs from the former instruction that emphasized content according to the teaching plan. If the learning innovation developed by KKU is used in mathematics instruction, then it should be in line with a new way of thinking. Therefore, this type of instruction emphasizes learners’ thinking skill, and opens up a chance for learners to solve the problems by themselves, promotes and develops their advanced thinking skill. There will be evaluation that sees the value of conceptual development that leads to effective thinking skill, especially the analytical thinking and other related skills. It is believed that the discussion at the meeting is a good start that will be implemented continuously for sustainable outcomes.
Mrs. Jariya Pareephan, Deputy Director of the Secondary Education Service Area Office 23 (Sakonnakhon) thanked Khon Kaen University on behalf of the Service Area Office 23 for giving the suggestions to the school administrators and teachers for improving mathematics instruction. Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn once came to Banmuang Pittayakhom School in Banmuang District, Kudruakham Pittayakhan School in Wanornniwat District, and Than Phuying Jantimaphuengbarami School in Phuphan District, Sakonnakhon province and saw the means to develop pupils’ learning competency. Therefore, the schools wanted to seek advice in this matter. There are 43 schools under the Secondary Education Service Area Office 23 (Sakonnakhon). The 3 schools listed above would be the piloting schools to develop the pupils according to their needs and aptitudes. The purpose is to enhance their skills and capacities for their future education at a higher level, as well as their future occupation. Another important thing is to increase a chance for pupils in remote districts and sub-districts to learn under the new instructional method from Khon Kaen University. The teachers will also be upgraded and will then be able to acquire new knowledge and innovations in teaching.
News / Photos: Natthawut Jaruwong
