On Friday, a prominent Democrat called on the government to halt the Education Ministry’s proposal to give every student and teacher in the country a tablet computer.
The initiative was implemented by a previous Pheu Thai administration ten years ago, but it was deemed a failure by opponents. It was introduced by Education Minister Pol Gen Permpoon Chidchob and his deputy Surasak Phancharoenworakul.
The former King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology Ladkrabang rector and Democrat member Suchatvee Suwansawat said on Facebook that while technology is important for learning, there are three issues to take into account.
Tablet computers, he claimed, are bad for young children because they can stunt their motor skill growth and prevent them from engaging with others.
“The ministry must be confident of the age ranges of youngsters who are capable of using the technology. Otherwise, it will have the opposite effect,” he warned.
Tablet computers, he claimed, cannot ensure kids’ success if parents and teachers don’t comprehend how kids learn.
Parents and educators must understand how to use smart devices to support children’s learning because they are merely tools for learning.
If kids spend a lot of time on tablets or other devices, their emotional development may suffer, he said.
He added that mental health professionals must provide guidance and aid the policy-makers in anticipating potential effects because children are at danger of having a short attention span, being irritable, or getting depression.
“A coin has two sides, but I do support the use of technology for learning, and I must emphasize that Thais must have access to the internet without charge,” he stated.
A teacher from Nakhon Sawan named Kanya Nantana yesterday praised the ministry’s decision to distribute tablets.
She claimed that although they are useful teaching tools, kids shouldn’t be permitted to take them home to avoid misuse.
She claimed that because the school had a tight budget and was forced to purchase low-end gadgets, the devices it purchased for online learning during COVID-19 are now out-of-date.
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