Three months after schools in Samut Sakhon Province were closed down due to the COVID-19 situation, the EEF through the Teacher and School Quality Program (TSQP) launched a self-learning media called “Blackbox” and delivered it to pilot schools in many areas that were affected by COVID-19 at different scales. The self-learning kit was meant to be part of the mechanisms to help children progress in education even though the schools continued to be closed down.

Benjamat Dechket, a teacher in Ban Chai Talay Bang Kachao School, Bang Kachao Sub-district, Mueang District, Samut Sakhon Province which was one of the schools in the red zone that needed to be closed down until the end of February stated that the school split the course into two groups in which students from pre-school to grade 5 would be given assignments to work from home which they would come to pick up and submit the assignments to the school on a weekly and monthly basis, while grade 6 students would study online as they were old enough to do so. For those who were restricted by the lack of internet access, the school would provide assignment sheets instead.      

For the self-learning tools of the 21st century or 12 units of “Blackbox” issued to students in the Educational Equity Program through their schools, she considered it to be a self-learning kit that helped enhance the experience of children who studied from home under the guidance of their parents and teachers.

“They are very excited after receiving the kits as some items are totally new to them such as a microscope that makes them wonder how to use it or what it can do. The teachers need to guide the parents to help their children achieve their study objectives, give advice, conduct basic evaluations and make the deadlines. We send assignments via the LINE application that we normally use to communicate with them. The children may ask questions to their teachers through the application also.”    

Benjamat also added that the self-learning course would not be strict at the beginning to give students time to get familiar with the study modules one module per week, but they would need to submit assignments on time. The advantage of using the Blackbox was that the children could study at any time during the day which would allow them to finish other assignments or homework also. It was also convenient for the parents as they could choose their own time to guide their children, unlike conventional online study where the schedule was usually fixed.

 “In my opinion, the Blackbox helps children learn a lot such as the “Who am I?” subject that teaches them about their families and local communities or other subjects that integrate English, Science and Social Studies into the content. Now the children are using their free time to grow tray gardens, survey herbs and research the surrounding environments.”

“There were some difficulties at the beginning when the children were thinking too big about finding the materials for their projects. The teachers had to let them know that they could improvise from common materials around the house to build their unique creations. Overall, the Blackbox really motivated children to enjoy learning by themselves.” Said the teacher.

A self-learning model that will be implemented for more students in the future

Onuma Jamjedrew, Director of Ban Omronghib School, Ban Koh Sub-district, Mueang District, Samut Sakhon Province stated that the Blackbox was a great tool in providing education opportunities for children during the COVID-19 pandemic situation as it offered various study topics adapted from mandatory subjects so that students were able to learn, research and test with firsthand experience in the comfort of their home.

“A good thing about the Blackbox is that children get to learn from the topics they are interested in. That way, they feel motivated and enjoy learning while the parents are also willing to guide them. As it is a new learning approach, the school personnel monitor and communicate with the children and parents to ensure that they are keen to learn. Each student gets to choose a study module of their interests. But most of them choose gardening because they are already familiar with it.”

The school director further added that the self-learning kit derived from an attempt to continue to provide education while schools are closed. It is a good learning model as schools can monitor the progress from a survey form given to the parents to determine the result of the Blackbox. And when schools are reopened, the children will share their experience with the Blackbox with their friends and teachers. Then the schools will analyze the results to further develop the next series of self-learning kits for other children. On behalf of the school, I thank EEF for providing opportunities for the students and teachers to experience new learning methods during the educational crisis.  

A lesson learned that will be carried over to a future career

Warapon Singhto “Pon,” a grade 6 student of Ban Omronghib School stated that she always loved self-learning, especially reading books in a library to obtain knowledge outside school textbooks. But when her school was closed down, she was unable to do so. Fortunately, the Blackbox allowed her to continue learning. She enjoyed it very much as it offered many activities where she could carry the experience over to her future career. The small kit enabled blended learning that could be adapted in many ways.

“I think that the kit and its lessons are very interesting, especially when it comes with a guidebook. I enjoyed the activities very much such as learning about my community which was a new thing for me. It allowed me to learn what I had no idea before. The tray garden set comes with decorative items thus, I can be as creative as I want to build my unique tiny garden. I believe that I can hone skills from this kit and turn it into a part-time job.” Said Pon.    

Suwit Singhto, the parent of Warapon stated that the assignment kit allowed him to provide guidance for his daughter in his free time after work.

“Normally, I work almost every day. I have no time to follow up on her study. But the self-learning kit allowed us to choose the time. We could choose to study at our convenience such as after work or on days off. Most of the time Pon would try to learn by herself and ask when she faced things she did not know. I would help her find the answers or explain about our community and her life when she took the lesson about the family. In a way, it drew us closer together as a family.” Said the parent.

 

Provide opportunities through
Educational Equity Fund (EEF)
Krungthai Bank, Soi Aree Branch, Account No. 172-0-30021-6
Account Name: EEF Article 6 (6) – Donation