Our theme for this visit was to enable an IPST team to learn more about the social/human sciences thinking and to think further how to lintegrate (link+integrate) the sciences together.
Before then, let me tell you what was behind our thinking and designing this visit na ka.
First of all, Khun Kevin has been in education all along with his doctorate from the Harvard School of Education. Secondly, it'd work better for a science-oriented team like IPST to learn from an outsider who's in the social/human sciences field with hope that the team would be inspired and trying to see and bridge the sciences. Thirdly, it was a rare opportunity for us all to see the Portugese Ambassador's residence with an exclusive guided tour. Lastly, he is an American who has been with his husband to stay in Thailand for 4 years now and so his marriage to a Portugese and his exposure in our country and region could be so unique to learn from ka.
Khun Kevin's talk was rich in content and inspiring ka. As always, let me share what I've learned.
- His introduction on history of Siam and Portugal made us all learn much more about the intention of Portugal to build relationship with Siamese through marriages, not colonization, about many plants they brought from different places to Siam from chili (yes, Chili!), papaya, custard apple to guava and cashew nuts and many other, about our own history during Ayutthaya till early Bangkok periods.
I was surprised to learn that we didn't have chili and papaya while our somtam is popular worldwide (my former colleague's observation!) We owe it to Portugal na ka and should be proud to have 'creative DNA on gastronomy as our core competency too!)
I was embarrassed to know I knew real little about our own history, let alone about the relationship between the two countries.
I was hurt when Khun Kevin mentioned that Thai people didn't that much 'sense of history'! It's so true when asking myself and hearing from our team of visitors ka.
- From his views, teachers need to nurture students' creativity and critical thinking. Teachers must not carry the burden of saving faces!
I like one simple yet powerful story he shared was when he was a fifth grader. His teacher pulled down a big map and then pulled it up right after that to trigger students' curiosity to ask 'why?'
I was thinking of one trick I played on my former team long time ago when I wanted to teach them about 'April Fools' Day'. I then asked one colleague to take out everything posted on our division board, telling all that I got upset why they weren't alert to share new info and learning. Many were shocked to learn about it later ka!
- Multi-lingual capacity is still very much needed for Thais.
Well! Big sigh kaaa!... we still can't cross this language barrier while others are working on the third and fourth languages. Language proficiency is to integrate intercultural competence to feel comfortable amid uncomfortable situations for increased creativity and collaboration mai ka?!?
- He stressed the importance of teaching kids about democracy and diversity based on a document on 'Principles and Concepts for Educating Citizens in a Global World' ka.
Students should learn about the complex relationship between unity and diversity within and beyond their localities; world of interdependence and interconnections; citizenship education including human rights in multicultural nation-states; and knowledge and practice on democracy.
Are we aware and balanced when learning about our own history and our situations, while looking beyond our own boundaries to the region and the world?
Do adults realize and prepare kids for what they really need for their, not our, future?
- When asked about intercultural lessons from being in Thailand, Khun Kevin said he learned how Thais could remain calm when westerners tended to express their feelings loudly! He too noticed that he has changed from being exposed to another culture.
It's clear that our exchange programs with reflections from self-assessment continue to be highly useful. How to make the overall experience more systematic remains a big challenge particularly among those who love to say, 'We have it, have done it, have numbers to show trends, etc.!'
Deeper learning has to be in FOCUS!
- The exclusive tour of the over 150-year-old colonial architectural style house was a delight treat for all of us to learn about the cultural wealth of Portugal, especially ceramics, carpet, and paintings.
- A little reflection session reconfirmed how history has to be integrated into our education, how teachers need to rid some cultural habits that could obstruct kids'curiosity and critical thinking, and how science-oriented people need to understand more about social and human sciences.
Happy weekend ka.
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