July 2, 2006
June 22, 2006
Back in the U.S.A.
When I got back to Bangkok my friend Om took me to the train station where I was to travel to meet Witt, Neung, and A for the last night in Bangkok festivities. It was very difficult to say good bye to her as she quickly became a close friend. It was the first time I was able to travel around Bangkok by myself and it was not exceptionally difficult except for the fact that, as A put it, I had 1/2 of Thailand in one bag and the ohter 1/2 in the other. They took me to a swank club and we had a nice time. They brought me to the airport in a cab and refused to leave untill they saw me go through checking. A kept telling security that I had a gun in my bags. Funny stuff. The flight was uneventful and was a chance for me to catch up on sleep.
It’s great to be back in MN in my apartment, in my bed, with safer water and ice. I look forward to catching up with friends and family over the next couple of weeks and sharing my adventures. There is so much to talk about this trip and I’m afraid the pictures and stories won’t do it much justice.
On the other hand, it is difficult for me to be back. I have very mixed feelings about leaving my friends and my new found comfort for the country. I know I would have missed home the longer I stayed, but I felt like I was just beginning to figure things out. I have few regrets about the trip besides leaving good friends on a different side of our planet.
It seems strange to be home. My stomach has not reacted well to the food here and it tastes so strange and not quite like I remember. It is odd to talk to so many people including waiters who speak English. I am happy about the large napkins and paper towels yet…. Also, the people here seem so fat. Honestly – compared to the Thai people, we are huge. I’m not quite sure its only their genetics. There have been many little annoyances, and I’m not sure if it is a reverse culture shock or what. At any rate, I’m looking forward to some sleep and recharging the stores of energy depleted from the trip. I think that more meaningful reflection will take some time.
June 19, 2006
The last horrah
I have an audio file to upload about my feelings about leavin my new friends in Thailand - some who I may never see again. It feels a bit like summer camp, where you have a very intense experiance with someone and the friendships last for a lifetime. I will upload it when I get a chance.
We (kelly (another experianced teacher )) are traveling around Ayuttaya today for a bit and are experiancing the backpacking tourist life. Although I was concerned about the language barrier and not having someone fluent in Thai with us we have found our travels to be quite pleasant and inexpensive. We got to ride a 3rd class train from Bangkok today that was a wonderful expeirance. Many of the Thai people are very kind and happy to see us, not only for our money! We sat next to a man who offered to take us around, show us the sites and let us meet his family. So kind.
We have been visiting many ancient ruins and temples and have been having a grand time. Tongiht we will stay at a guest house with AC and TV that is clean for $11. Mi Phang (cheap!) It has been nice to travel without schedual or pressure. Tommorow I return to Bangkok and prepare to fly out. I may get a chance to see Whit and Neung tomorrow but it may not work out. Pray I get to my plane at 6 am tues morning ok!
June 16, 2006
Week 2 Wed-Thurs - last night at MWIT
June 13, 2006
A new mix of updates from the weekend
6/10
Adajan Pat was right. I wish I had more time to spend out here to work with these students. I am especially curious to see what Gift, the girl that I had a few nice chats with, thought of my teaching… Once again, it would be nice to pick up teaching again - it is very fun to be thinkin and teachin physics!
12 hour bus ride
Today we spent the day in Krabi, Whit's home town. He showed us where he grew up -he has many brothers and sisters that all live very close to his parents. They are all very nice, but do not speak any english. The children are amazingly cute… Whit would like to spend his weekends working with the rubber tree plants and teaching during the week at a university. His wife will teach at a school around 250 miles away whom he will see only 1 time a month. Seems like it would make a very hard marriage in amreica but here seems to be nomral.
We are sleeping on straw mats tonight in a fairly rustic conditions. On the other hand we are getting a real experinace in a rural, agricultural famring community. It feels somewhat like home…
Krabi is nice but a bit touristy. The prices for fornihers are a bit high and seem to shock the Thai students. Otherwise, it is very senic and not as crowded as bangkok.
6/11/2006, 1:08 AM
Quite an amaziing day today. I'm positive that we cound not htave the saem exeriance if it were not for Witt and Nuegn. They have treated us so well and have asked for little in return. I feel bad that we cannot do more for them, yet they will not take any extra money from us. I think when I leave tha tI will give whitt some extra money in his gift for his child and wife. I found out today, shorly after meeting his wife, that she is pregrant. She woudn't have any beer or wisky and then mentioned it would be a year or so before she could. I asked him about it and he said yes. He was happy and hoped for a son, but was confused and worried because he is still in grad school. I know teachers and profs out here don't make much money… I wonder if he married because she was pregant?
We traveled to Krabi and Puket today. We took a trip through mangrove swamps out to some amazing isalnds - we saw the island where a bond movie was filmed. I bought a sweet necklace which I quickly lost at the beach - I am disspointed but can probably find another. The frarang are gorged out here and are upsold about ever where you go. Puket was quite touiristy and I was happy we found a more secluded beach although the waves were quite high and a bit scarry at times. We were joined by Witts cousin Jom who was 12 years old and quite funny and cute. Apparently 2 universal things are twisted up straws being popped and titty twisters. I think when I travel that I would like to find somewhere that is less touristy and more local - yet the langague barriries can be quite difficult.
After we returned from the beach, we stopped at an 8 day funeral for a 90 year old woman. Aparently the celbrate for 8 days with food and drink, etc- they were happy to see us, I think… They offered us wisky and redbull like stuff - quite nasty - It was one of the more fun funerals I have been to.
This has been an amazing trip and well worth every penny.
6/11/2006, 11:12 PM
More insight into Thai culture and agriculture - wow… I still feel so new here after being here for over three weeks. I miss some of the creature comforts of home, like paper towels and regurlar toilets. But I feel so comoftable sitting outside, having a whisky and water with the neighbors at the Whitt family compound even though most conversations take place through broken english translations. Abstract concepts are nearly impossible to communicate.
We had a tour of the Whit's families mountians that have been stripped for rubber tree production. Not an inch of ground gets unused here - I suppose that is not different from back home. There really isn't much large wildlife here, unless you count the infinite number of stray dogs and cats.
Had a nice conversation with Whit's oldest brother how is the director or principal of the school we will vist tomorrow. Poor Nueng had to translate the entire conversation for over an hour, but it was a pleasure to talk to such a passionate man. I get the feeling that he was an excellent teacher and a very good director. We talked at length about simialrites and differences between our systems and some of the problems that we face. It really sounds like our systems of k12 ed are very similar in teacher style, curriculum, and purpose. However, while the U.S. is trying to retian its dominance in the world, Thialand is trying to move out of third world status. I think their king and educational officals have done some very intersting things yet I think they are prepareing all students to go to college - while many do, I think that maybe they need to keep tighter to their purpose of ed for improving happiness of the people, preparation for occupation, preperation through applicaition, etc…
After and amaizin trek up a 1237 step temple hike, we got a chance to go back to the hot springs at night. A small slice of heaven….
Also, after "talking" with Whit's wife, there apparently is a different in hospitality between the northern and southern hospitatiliy. From what I gather, the people in the north are more hospitable to frarang because they are not as busy - in the south they must farm nearly all the time and it can be difficult to let others use vehciles that can be used in farming. I think that they have been quite hosptiable and have shared with us what they can….
6/12/2006, 8:29 PM
Annnoyed a bit today….
Had an amazing trip to a small primary (k-6) rural school near whit's home town. His brother was the director and was kind enough to take us to his school. We were treated so kindly be all the staff and students. The staff brought us coffee and food in the morning, we were introduced infront of the flag cerimony, and were prepared a special lunch which was amazing! They were so proud of their school - particually the director whose primary concern was that they enjoy learning and be able to apply their knowledge in everyday life. They had a garden, sponsored by the king, in which students learned how to grow crops, herbs, rice, catfish, aquiculture, and hog farming. Everything is organic and much is reused. They have rubber tree and palm tree farms that fund the school. How great would it be for U.S. schools to ag plots for students to do experimenents, learn how to care for and grow their own crops, etc…
We had the chance to teach a few lessons in english for the students. We caused quite the ruckus wherever we went - students would poke their heads out of classes etc - im not sure they have seen foringers before in their school - their english was not quite as good as the M.Wit school- Nueng thinks that english teachers are good at grammar and reading but are not strong in conversation because they do not practice the langauge enough. I'm sure there is some research out there. We also got to teach a science class on agriculture which probably went ok. I think that there is a huge language barrier - I tired to do a lesson on sheep, but not sucessfully - I couldn't even get them to say Minnesota until robyn stepped in and helped out. They had a good time at least and maybe picked up a thing or two.
The director told us that the primary schools recive little funding - only about 25 dollars per year per student - the class sizes can be up to 50 per room. There are few supplies etc, but they seem to do the best they can with what they have.
Although excited to see us - when we tried to talk with them they shut down on us right away and smiled and looked away when we asked them questions. They are so cute and adorable! When we were getting ready to leave they came around and asked robyn some questions… I came out and they were shy again - I asked one girl who was lingering what her note said… Nueng tranlated it to read - sign please - so we signed autographs for about 15 mintues - absoluetly amazing. Probalby the last time I will achive rock star status in a school!
June 8, 2006
Week 2 - Day 4 - Teaching Day 2
I had the opportunity to teach the same topic/lesson today with the divers. The lesson went much better I think. I modified the lesson a bit. I think the really interesting thing about this simple lab, is how complex the ideas can become and how hard they are to understand. My Thai friend and I got into a large arument about the explanation of the phenomona (see debate at http://www.ed.uiuc.edu/courses/CI241-science-Sp95/resources/philoToy/philoToy.html)
Although I did not get to the level of calc they desired, I think that they are well primed to get there. After very excited and careful investigation of the phenomona they are ready to move onto the calc. Fred says that students who learn physics only through calc often can not explain qualitatively how it works. I think they conceptual nature of the 5E model makes it so powerful - and FUN! I can not wait to look at the video - these students are so bright and primed to be great scientists. They think and problem solve like you would not believe... yet I am not sure these gifts are used or developed in their classes here.
I think the advice from my parents about not being a perfectionist in a foriegn country and fred telling me that it is ok to shake them up a bit and make the teachers a bit "skittish" was good for me today. I am much happier about the lesson and how it went. Many students came up to me aftwerards and had amazing questions for me about the phenomena - If it would work with a solid cap, if the water were filled completely, etc.... I really liked working with students who struggle, but it is also a treat to work with students who get so excited!!!! I think it would be fun to work in a magnet school... If I could only teach in a college and teach HS students! OH well
Today was honor your teacher day. They had a 2 hours, traditional cerimony in which students spent all day yesterday preparing. The students made arrangments of flowers and candels for many of the teachers. The walked forward, got on thier knees, bowed to the flag, to budah, and to a picture of the king, and then crawled across the stage to thier teachers where they bowed and presented the flowers to them. The arrangments are exquisit.
Thai culture seems to embrase both our western culture thorugh their dress, music, and numerous pirated copies of DVD's out here (X-Men 3 is avaiable in shops everywhere out here) yet seem to keep thier traditions in tact. Theier archetecture, visual aragments, and respect are quite amazing!
I will be going to Krabi and to Phuket tonight to stay with Switt's family at thier home. I will be out of contact for the most part until next Monday (Thai time)
June 7, 2006
Week 2 – Tuesday - First day of teaching
1st day of teaching. I spent most of last night getting ready to teach today and prepare for my faculty presentation. Both presentations today were very draining. I’m not quite sure how either went? I am very happy with my lesson in Physics and I think it would be a good one for to use in the U.S. but am not sure that it would work well over here. I did a full experimental, inquiry for the students – they were very, very engaged and possessed excellent experimental design skills. They really seemed to enjoy it, but I did not get as far as I thought. It was very easy to speed back up and slip into English mode, but I think the detailed PPT helped a great deal. I think that Witt, Mr. Kittypong, and Ms. Admon were not largely impressed, but said they liked my teaching methods. The lesson went over 2 hours today and I think the students were maxed out! So was I.
I had a funny incident where I was squeezeing a bottle and the top flew off and hit the ceeling. None, not a one of the students laughed. In America, this would have been hours of entertainment. Not so here… they immediately went to find towels and mops to clean up. Hilarous to me and my buddy Witt.
The presentation went ok. I had to speak in broken English and speak very slowly. A few teachers fell asleep and answered cell phones. I don’t think that it is rude here, but part of their culture. Mr. Pat translated a lot for me which helped a great deal.
I want to do a good job for these people and their wonderful students – but I am afraid that due to cultural and language differences, what is defined as a good job is not the same thing. Students saying they had fun and students learning are related but not exclusive to one another. On a positive note, I felt I did not have to change my style much to meet help the students!
June 6, 2006
Week 2 - Day 1 - Part 1 Audio Journal
Week 2 Day 1 - Part 2 Audio Journa
Day 4 - Thursday - Week 1
Day 1 Audio Journal
June 5, 2006
Audio Journal Day 2
Good guys... a mix of updates
Day 6/7
Surreal… this experience has been surreal. There are times when there is no cultural translation to help us understand Thailand. Our visit to the town of Pattya was one of those times.
The Thai U students arranged for us to meet the other U.S. participants in Pattaya this weekend for “Adventure�. If it was adventure we saught, we found it. I’m not quite sure that this experience would be as wonderful with out their help. They are not only our language translators but their cultural translators as well, helping us understand what it is we should and should not do. There are so many customs…. They feel that they are not good hosts, but we continue to be impressed by their most generous hospitatity.
I know they don’t make much money at all and althought the prices are insanely cheap out here (a 9 course meal for $6 a 6 hour bus ride for $4, etc) this must be extravangant living for them. I payed for a meal for 14 people this weekend to celebrate Thor’s birthday, some of my students becoming teachers, and the generoucity of the Thai students. I had to fight with them to pay for dinner. We have began to split most things with them, including transportation but they are a crafty bunch. They feel that they should pay for everything, are a bit uncomfortable with splitting but usually do it, and are not comfortable having their guests pay for them. So after paying for them, they decided to chip in together to pay for our transportation to and from the hotels, etc… not cheap. I called them on it, but they insisted they would feel awful if they did not do it…
Honestly, they have no idea how valuable they are to us and how impossible it would be to get around here without them.
“good guys go to heaven, bad guys go to Pattaya…�
There is no U.S. parallel to the Walking Street of downtown Pattaya – 3 blocks of assorted bars, dance clubs, etc that stay open all night long. It’s like Vegas (complete with a Thai elvis), but more extreme… so surreal… The prostitution is rampant through this area and many of the girls are quite young. There are so many western men here seeking only God knows what… I think it is sad…Many of the girls come up to you and chat, and when I ask them about the feelings about their work, they respond mostly the same about how they wish they didn’t have to do it. When talking to my Thai friend Nok, whose English is quite good and his sense of humor quite funny, about my feelings about this, he responded, what would they do? They are poor, they have no money, may have a family to support. His logic makes sense, but I still don’t quite buy it – however applying our American sense of values to their problems probably isn’t always the best thing to do… For example, Nok beats his students. I was agast at this and asked him about it even when it is against the law. He explained to me that it was the students idea to have this done to ensure respect in the classroom. He explains to them why they are punished and then canes them – Nok takes no pleasure from this and feels it is necessary. He is a good man (although a smart ass) and again, his logic makes sense. I’m not sure that western psychology would agree with his actions, but I am trying to be careful with expressing my feelings on certain practices…
What works in Minnesota, may not work in Thailand – F. Finely
At least, we got to spend a day a the beach away from the crazyness of the city…
Thai Journal
5/26/2006, 9:17 PM
Went out and walked around a bit last night after checking into the hotel. The streets smell of sweet urine and there are many stray dogs and cats. The area we eneded up at seems to be very close to one of the Red Light districts, freqented by American GI's in the Vientram War. The hotel is quite nice and has a lot of ammenties and nice service and is very close to the unversity where we will meet.
There are 7-11's everywhere in this town along with night markets for people to stop and eat at all hours of the night. After Per and I discovered an interesting dance club call Narscist The club was clean and very classy - not unlike some of the more upscale clubs in Minneapolis… Loud booming techno was the order of the day. Men in the clubs wear mostly jeans and tshirts and women skirts and tank tops. The standard seems to be, buy a bottle of Jhonny walker red and some coke or water and ice and they serve it for you all night. Odd. There were quite a few tourists in the club dancing, but it seems that the Thai do not interact with them. After the club, we stopped in a late night kitchen/bar and had some Pad Thai that was similar to those found in restruants in the states. It was good, flavorful, but needed spicing up. It is strange to see so many forigne tourists, even in this local late night eatiery
Many young men around. Lord only knows what they are in town for.
Saw a man passed out in the middle of the sidewalk…
5/27/2006, 10:37 PM
Day 1
Thailand, at least Bankgok has a great deal of poverty. Although it does not appear it would take much to eat around here - a complete street meal would cost around $2 U.S. dollars - quite a few work in jobs that seem to be low wage. There are countless taxis, street vendors, motorcycle taxis, masusues, etc. Americans seem to be targeted right away as potentials for money. I've been upsold a number of times and probably come out on the wrong side of many deals here so far - negotations are the norm for nearly everything. They are great salesfolk and are quite charming. The people are generally not overwieght and are friendly - there is much smiling and laughing.
Thai boxing was a bit dissapointing. Quite pricy and a bit dicey to get into. Again, it seems like foringers are charged a bit more. Really, I think its fine, because most peole on "holiday" or "business" can afford to travel here. College students probably not so much, but it was interesting to see the culture, traditions, betting, and other rituals with their sport. Not much punching untill the last round.
Day 2 –
Thai love to tease and joke with eachother - very playful and not mean spirited. No one takes it serious like they would in the U.S. They do it very deadpan as well
There are many Thai graduate students who will be helping us with our teachign. We met quite a few of them today as they showed us some key sights in Bangkok including a trip to a floating market on a river that included a 2 hour boat tour through the canals. We also visted a enormous Royal Temple. They are amazing hosts who have treated us very well!
I got to talking about educatino with one of the grad students and what she was planning on doing research on. She mentioned Nature of Science work (which was/is a huge topic in Woman mentioned NOS and I laughed - it was so strange to hear her talking about some of the same research issues and teacher issues that we have. Inquiry is an issue for them because their teachers are concerened about time issues due to standardized testing for college - same with us… They want to change the tests so they become more NOS Inquiry based - which is not a bad idea… if teachers teach to the tests anyway why not change the format and purpose of the tests - they are concerned more with students getting into the university where we are more concerned with all learners… very funny
They are all doctoral students studying science educatino with very little teaching experience - many I talked to taught for 1 year or for a coupel of months through practicum - I had assuemed their educainal system to be a bit defunct but they are quite savvy - Honestly, I'm not sure what our role is here - they seem to have a pretty good handle on things from
June 1, 2006
Hail to the King
So this entry will be out of order with the others sitting in my laptop, but I have a bit of time now to write - so now seems to be as good of time as any. There is still a huge language barrier here and I find myself speaking in broken english to those who can understand engish. I'm very impressed that they can speak multiple languages! Becuase, they can read english I find it easier to communcate in writting.
The are familiar with the 5E model of instruction and some strive to use in their instruction. Mr. Kittpon or Admon (teacher) KIttipon and I were "chatting" this morning about lesson plans. They must turn in thier lesson plans each year to thier boss. He was complaining about the time spent preparingi lesson plans and how teachers should be trusted as professionals. I think he was telling me about the amount of paperwork they have to do. It seems typical of teachers in U.S. who strive to be treated as professionals. I think lesson planning is good for the first few years but then after a teacher is experianced probably less reported planning is good. Just as long as they continue to imporove thier lessons.
The students today were sent to a field trip to an expo for the King. It is the 60th aniversery of the assention of Rhaman 9 to the throne. You would not believe how much respect they have the Royalty. You do NOT joke about the royalty at all. There were tens of thousands of people that came to this expo to learn about the history of this king. This exihibit was 5 times the size of the Minneapolis convention center and was much better than any exhibits I have been to at any museum. I try and make sense of the experiance by relating it to things that are familerar to me but this one escaped me. It was quite moving to see the uncoditional love they have for this man. He really seems to be quite amazing - he has provided many things for his people by improving the education, agiruculture, and the well being of his cournty. They also had a section celebrating his love of other's religions. He is an acomplished musican, writer and painter. Quite amazing and nearly undescribabale.
Check it out at www.peopleforthekingexpo.com
Funny note... I tried to say excuse me in Thai today and it came out "please pass me a cup"
School Website
http://e-lib.mwit.ac.th/
May 31, 2006
On plane
Send to Geoff, George, Cassie,
T -0 Liftoff
In the air somewhere over Canada.
Why I am going to Thailand….
Offically:
1. Work with Thai teachers and educational officals to help them reform their curriculum to become more student centered.
Thailand has recently passed a national law requiring instruction to become more student centered. This means (I think) that pedagogy moves past lecture, drill and kill, didactic style instruction. Student centered instruction places the focus of instruction on the students; students prior knowledge drives what is to be taught and how it is to be taught, students work together to help construct their knowledge, instruction based on individuals needs, strengths, background, and so forth. My friend Eric put it best when he wrote that students become the sole focus of what it is you do and why you do it.
2. Teach science to Thai students
I think the purpose of this is to demonstrate the great American standards based, well reformed, curriculum and pedagogy to the Thai students. I’d imagine I’ll be toting some learning cycle, inquiry based, conceptual change stuff in there as well. For those of you not in education, I’ll give you an example of what this may look like.
While teaching, lets say physics, I would start by doing a demonstration that would require students to predict what they think what would happen. For example, many of you have seen the table cloth trick done where the magician pulls the cloth out from under the dishes. After the predicted, they would explain to eachother and to me what they think would happen and why they think it would happen. The purpose of this is get at what prior knowledge and udnerstandin they have. Also, prediction engages them a bit – think of it as a bet. After that I’d do the demo and have them observe and explain what they saw happen and why. After that, they could disccuss factors that would make the demo go better or worse and then experiment and report their findings to the class. After that, I would explain Newton’s first law and give some real world examples or have the students develop real world exmapels of their own. examples. They would then further their application knowledge by doing a lab in which they were to design a seatbelt for an egg. A couple of keys… students must have their hands on, hearts on, and minds on. Science education is no longer straight lecture, skill development, and mathematical problem solving. Science education is focused on helping students develop understandings of the content of science (i.e. DNA replication) and process of science (i.e. how scienistits really work) The current reform movment in science tries to do both, in a student centered context.
It’s been no secret that I’ve missed working with younger students and teaching science a great deal this year. I’ve been quite pleased with my time at the U of M, yet… It will be great to be back in the classroom. We’ll see what this graduate school experaince has done to my ability to communicate clearly and concisely. I’ve always wanted to teach overseas and had applied to teach abroad before but never did. Now I’ll get my chance.
3. Research the experience….
I’m planning on teaching future science teachers at a college someday. There are five science teachers who just got licenced in the program I work for. I’m curious about the impact of this program on their beliefs about student centered instruction and inquiry based science. Educational reform has been notoriously slow over the past 150 years. Many of the same ideas listed above have been around in one form or another for centuries yet instruction has largely remained the same. Even new teachers instructed in new forms of pedagogy revert back. This program, in which they must teach the Thai teachers this new curriculum may be helpful in helping these new teachers stay the course. I’ve always found that teaching something really helps you understand it on a new level. Also, since the instruction will be with students whose primary language is NOT English, this will be a great experience to develop skills to work with students who are ESL or ELL. We’ll see… this is my first research experience.
There was a snake in my bathroom so I peed on it. I later found out it was poisonous and could have killed me. – Greg (a dive instructor on plane)
