Ed. ConnectThe Bi-annual Graduate School of Education newsletter

ISSN: 1686-4948

Dean, Dr. Sangob Laksana’s Visit to Seton Hall University, U.S.A., July 2010

In reference to the agreement between the Graduate School of Education, Assumption University and the College of Education and Human Services, Seton Hall University, Dr. Sangob Laksana has been invited to make a presentation to cohort members of the Executive Ed.D. Program of the Department of Educational Leadership, Management and Policy, and hold an extended discussion with the members on July 12 -16, 2010.

The activity was organized by Prof. Dr. Joseph Stetar. The students and lecturers have got the success in reviewing the international education addressing the current results of Trends in Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS), Program for International Assessment (PISA) and Progress in Reading Literacy Study (PIRLS). The best practices toward the high achievement of certain successful countries have been reviewed and the innovative approach to curriculum, instruction, and teacher development has been proposed.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Suwattana Eamoraphan, the Associate Dean, is expected to represent the Graduate School of Education for the next meeting at Seton Hall University in the year 2011.

JUNE –OCTOBER 2010

IN THIS ISSUE … Dean’s visit to U.S.A. Orientation 1/2010 Trip to Russia Teacher Feature Student Reflections Coffee Talk English Language Improvement Seminar Assoc. Prof. Bro. Dr. Thomas Oldenski Dr. Richard Lynch Special Lecture: Professor Gerald Grace Student Activity: Marriott Resort and Spa Upcoming Events: International Conference

: Field Trip to Singapore

GRADUATE SCHOOL OF EDUCATION ASSUMPTION UNIVERSITY

JUNE –OCTOBER 2010

Trip to Russia

Annually the Assumption University organizes a study tour abroad. This year a trip was arranged to Russia from May 1- 8, 2010. Three of our faculty members, Dean, Dr. Sangob Laksana, Dr. Wipa Mhunpiew and Dr. Watana Vinitwatanakhun joined this trip; they visited “People‟s Friendship University,” Moscow and St. Petersburg. This trip aimed at building moral support, cultural, political and educational enhancement and to develop team spirit

and good relationship.

This year’s orientation brought many more

nationalities together. It was a pleasure to

see the different cultures merging together

to attain the same goal: Education.

We have 11 students joining the Ph.D.

program; 10 students joining the M.Ed.

(C&I) program and 8 students joining the

M.Ed. (E.A.) program.

Students are from China, Taiwan,

Philippines, Iran, Thailand, Korea, U.S.,

Turkey and Myanmar.

The Graduate School of Education has two semesters each academic year, in June: Semester I and November: Semester: II. The orientation for new students is held before each semester to gear them for the program and bring awareness of the rules and requirements of the school and the University as a whole.

Orientation: Semester I (May 29, 2010) at Salle D‟ Expo

Teacher Feature: Improving Students Understanding of What We Teach

One of our most important tasks as teachers at any level is to help ensure that our students understand what we

are trying to get across to them in our classes. In days past, most of this work had to be done in the classroom,

since, once the student left the class, there was very little we could do to create further learning. So we needed to

make sure that all of the ideas were clear, that we used many examples in our lessons, and that we reinforced

learning by checking up on and reviewing homework assignments in future classes.

Though homework review and examples remain an important part of the learning process, we no longer

have to rely on them alone. Technology continues to give us an ever expanding set of options with which we can

engage students and enhance learning through a variety of practices. For example, Edline, now in use at

Ruamrudee International School, allows us to dialogue with our students, further discuss work covered in class, test

students, and schedule items. This is a new initiative for the Middle School section this year, having already been

implemented successfully in the High School section last school year. To give you an idea of what it may look like,

here is a sample class of mine currently being developed:

http://www.edline.net/pages/Ruamrudee_IS/Classes/04490501

Blogs have been in use for some time; they are fairly simple to create and allow students to interact,

discuss, complete assignments online, while giving the teacher a chance to review important concepts and check for

understanding. The teacher can also post the course syllabus, PowerPoint given in class, articles or assignments,

student reflections, videos and related documents. Here are a couple of samples from ABAC graduate courses I am

teaching, one in the Foundations of Education,

http://www.ed6007drandy.blogspot.com/

and another in the field of Educational Planning and Development,

http://www.ea6220drandy.blogspot.com/

In addition, videos are another great way to get information to students. The video can be reviewed at home

as many times as a student needs to enhance understanding, it can be downloaded by students for future reference

and review, and may be commented upon or transferred to others to facilitate ongoing discussion and improve

understanding. Here is a site with over thirty video segments for the Foundations of Education class:

http://www.youtube.com/user/drandygoodman

-Dr. Andrew M. Goodman

English Language Improvement Seminar: August 7, 2010

The English improvement seminar was held in the lounge, Graduate School of Education. This is a part of activity in ED 5012 English Proficiency. On that day, we discussed with Dr. Suwattana, Dr. Nora, Dr. Andrew and Mr. Vitas (Kenny) who is a native speaker from America. . They provided some activities and games to guide us to speak more English and ease us We also shared each background, opinion and some experiences.

Ms. Phasupa Watchareeruthai (Goi)

A Coffee Talk was organized on June 16, 2010. Getting the new batch acquainted to each other. Having discussions outside the class room environment and bringing students of different programs together, we help them to unite and form activities for the semester.

Coffee Talk: June 16, 2010

Although I graduated as an elementary education major, after two years of teaching, I decided to pursue a Master's degree at Assumption University to gain knowledge of new discoveries and innovative changes in the educational world. I am thoroughly enjoying my classes at the Graduate School of Education. The classes I am taking are interesting, and the professors give me a wonderful opportunity to become a better teacher by giving me the solid background in instruction and understanding of curriculum. I find enhancement in ideas, concepts, and skills in teaching. Taking classes in Assumption University gives me the opportunity to talk and share ideas with other teachers from different Schools in Bangkok, and it is indeed a golden opportunity for me to improve myself by learning more about how to teach from fellow teachers. I believe that programs offered at Graduate School of Education are well worth the investment.

– Zarni Lwin (M.Ed. Student)

Student Reflections

Education is not simply just a career, is not just a professional term to describe teaching and learning; it‟s a life-long experience, it‟s an opportunity to review the past and building the future, it is a great responsibility preparing the children for the future. This is my second semester in the Graduate School of Education and I have never regretted to begin this exciting journey of learning and discovering. I started this course after 3 months I began to teach in Thailand. The courses in GSoE have given me a platform to learn, to grow and to excel in the daily life of teaching and learning. GSoE has provided me essential and practical guidelines, methods and methodologies in education yet the students have taught me how to become a real, caring and effective teacher where I learn ways to speak into their lives. In a good way, life of a teacher might be tiring and challenging but I would still like to firmly say that I JUST LOVE TEACHING.

- Jia Yunn Chang (Jean) (M.Ed. Student)

Visiting Professor: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bro. Thomas Oldenski

During the most recent term, Brother Tom Oldenski has returned to the Faculty of Education, which is his second “academic home”. He was involved with teaching two doctoral courses (Educational Leadership: Theory and Practice and Cross Cultural Perspectives on Leadership) and two Master courses (Theory and Practice of Instructional System Design and Comparative and International Education). Brother Tom offers the following advice in order to be a good educator, that is, one needs to be attuned to and aware of the yearnings and the aspirations of the heart and one‟s spirit. Through a regular diet of being reflective on what one reads and experiences in the classes and daily life, one develops this aspect of human consciousness and will that yearns

towards meaning and purpose.

Introducing New Faculty Member: Dr. Richard Lynch

Dr. Richard Lynch is originally from the Canadian Maritimes and has been involved in education in one way or another for most of the past 3 decades. He earned a BA (Hons.) in History from St. Mary‟s University in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, a CERT/TESL from Concordia University, Montreal, an MA/TEFL from Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, and a Ph.D. in Education (educational psychology & technology) from the University of Southern California, Los Angeles. Dr. Lynch did not obtain his degrees one immediately after the other, however. Rather, there were several years between each period of study during which he worked first as a high school generalist teacher in Papua New Guinea for 3 years and following that for varied periods at institutes and universities in Canada, the U.S., Australia, Japan, Korea, and Thailand. In Thailand, he worked at Chulalongkorn University‟s Sasin Graduate Institute of Business Administration for 4 years, at the National Institute of Development Administration (NIDA) for 2 years, and was also, for 4

years in the early-mid 90s, the Deputy Director of the AUA Language Center responsible for all AUA Language Centers throughout Thailand. Dr. Lynch has just completed several years teaching educational psychology & technology courses in the College of Education at Korea University in Seoul. He is very happy to now be able to use his many years of experience as a learner, a teacher, a researcher, and an administrator in working at Assumption University where he first came as a visiting professor during the summer of 2005. At that time Dr. Lynch was very impressed by both the programs and the teaching/learning environment in the Graduate School of Education here at Assumption University and resolved to return when his responsibilities in Korea were concluded. That time has now arrived and Dr. Richard Lynch is delighted to commence his full-time association with AU and looks forward to meeting and working with the students in both the M.Ed. and Ph.D. Programs.

This aspect of one‟s development as a graduate student is just as important as gaining knowledge and skills to be a good teacher and administrator. Our yearnings and aspirations make it possible to be a transformative educator involved in the building of a better world, a world that is more equitable, just, and carting; a world that is our home and that we must preserve. Hopefully, each of us can accept the challenge to articulate the yearnings of the heart with the realities of the present times, thus, we will be and become transformative educators as teachers and school administrators.

Mission Integrity: Contemporary Challenges for Catholic School Leaders

During the lecture, Professor Grace dwelt upon the changes of the world, and how those changes influence the definition of poverty. He said that the Church offers its educational service to the poor, meaning those who are economically poor, or those who are deprived of family help and affection or those who are far from the faith. The professor noted that . . . today one sees a world which clamors for solidarity and yet experiences the rise of new forms of individualism…Professor Grace added that people must overcome their individualism and discover, in the light of faith, their specific vocation to live responsibly in a community with others. New right ideologies of competitive individualism, free market economics, a reduced social and economic role for the state and the extension of market values and practices into all forms of institutional life were beginning to influence political thought in a number of countries. Professor Grace also emphasized that the Church was proclaiming a countercultural mission of solidarity and community for its schools precisely at the same time when competitive individualism and market values were beginning to affect educational, social and economic „reforms‟ or at least agendas for „reform‟. Professor Grace strongly reinforced the idea that academic education is a means, not an end. Education is not given for the purpose of gaining power but as an aid towards a fuller understanding of and communion with people, events and things. Knowledge is not to be considered for material prosperity and success, but as a call to serve and to be responsible for others. School leaders are those who have the capacity to inspire, influence, motivate, and change the others, not just managing systems. Two questions to ponder here: 1) to what extent are Catholic school leaders actually realizing these principles in their policies and day-to-day practices? 2) What are some of the major challenges to these principles in contemporary cultural, social and ideological conditions? While these aren‟t easy questions to answer, we have to consistently ask ourselves: “Are we living up to our principles?” As long as we put serving others as the first priority, we are moving toward the „right‟ direction. We, as educators and leaders, are the guardian of mission integrity. This means that we are necessarily concerned with principle and authenticity, ethical and moral conduct, values in practice and the formation of youth in concepts of the good life. We are here to benefit others, not just ourselves. Together we can make tomorrow a better day, and the world a better world.

A Glance at Professor Gerald Grace‟s Special Lecture

It was our great pleasure to attend this special lecture. Professor Gerald Grace‟s presentation was full of joy and wisdom. He started with a very interesting story about what people thought of discipline in the past. “Discipline meant punishment,” he said and maybe that‟s what people still think. For instance Bro. Martin mentioned the adage, “Spare the rod, and spoil the child.”

The main idea was mission integrity and the challenges for the Catholic school leaders to serve the common good of society. The article stressed two arguments. First, Professor Grace stressed parental and citizens‟ rights to choose a particular faith-based education for their children. Secondly, he stressed the Catholic school system‟s ethical service to the whole society and not simply to the Catholic community. The Sacred Congregation for Catholic Education is aware of the serious problems which are an integral part of Christian education is a pluralistic society.

According to this article, Professor Grace said, “The authentic mission was constituted by the following regulative principles: The Catholic school forms part of the saving mission of the Church…Mindful f the fact that human has been redeemed by Christ, the Catholic school aims at forming in the Christian those particular virtues which will enable him to live a new life in Christ. The faith imperative, as would be expected, is given as the foundation cause and rationale for the work of Catholic schools.”

Organized by Rev. Bro. Prathip Martin Komolmas, President Emeritus

Summarized by Li-Wen Lai (Shira Teng) Ph.D. student, Graduate School of Education

Pattaya: The most popular beach resort in Thailand

So how could you describe Pattaya? A good place to start would be to confirm that this is Thailand's most popular beach resort, jam-packed with 5 star resorts and high quality restaurants. It's also worth pointing out that the budget traveler is also well catered for with some mid-range hotels and guesthouses. However, this wouldn't go even half way to describing the real atmosphere and unique aspects of Pattaya!

And the best way to describe Pattaya‟s weather throughout most of the year is tropical and humid. Apart from the friendly atmosphere which I feel is partly due to the predominant of religion Buddhism where the practitioner have an inner peace about them, there is always the food- Thai food is well-known for having a unique combination of wonderful herbs and spices and not to mention an explosion of other international cuisines were readily available- quality were excellent and must be some of the best value eating experiences we could have in anywhere.

Marriot hotel surrounded by tropical gardens and it had wonderful ambience where we relaxed and felt at ease. It was a quite cross cultural communication trip which tried to bring together such relatively unrelated areas as cultural anthropology and established areas of communication to understand how people from different cultures communicate with each other. This trip also produces some guidelines with which people from different culture can respect and communicate with each other. We are as educators need to experience intercultural communication which is also used in a different sense and reflection. It is essential for universities to educate effectively and comfortably in a world characterized by multi-faced relationships. By participating in this kind of trip we are able to possess a certain level of global competence to understand the world we live in and how we fit into this world. This level of global competence starts at ground level- the university and its faculty- with how we generate and transmit cross-cultural knowledge.

– Mrs. Fatemah Rava Hamidifar

GRADUATE SCHOOL OF EDUCATION ASSUMPTION UNIVERSITY

Student Activity: July 2010

I congratulate ABAC University for creating such a wonderful environment in order for internationalization to be

more effective.

The 3rd International Conference: New Directions in Education October 2, 2010 Hall of Fame, HuaMak Campus Assumption University New Directions in Education, an international conference is organized by The Graduate School of Education, Assumption University, in collaboration with the Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization (SEMEO) and The Association of Southeast Asian Institutions of Higher Learning (ASAIHL). The agenda for the conference aims at setting out to foster inquiry, inviting dialogues and building a body of knowledge on the sources and solutions to concerns in the New Directions in Education.

JUNE –OCTOBER 2010

Upcoming Events

ISSN: 1686-4948

For more information please contact:

Graduate School of Education, Assumption University

Ramkhamhaeng 24, Bangkok 10240, Thailand

Tel: +66(0) 2300 4543 – 62 ext. 3718 Fax: +66(0) 2300 4143

Email: education@au.edu

Advisors: Dr. Sangob Laksana & Dr. Suwattana Eamoraphan

Editor: Mrs. Niti Sampat Admin: Mr. Nikom Rord-Kwan & Mrs. Niti Sampat Student Committee Chairperson: Mika Tanasarnsanee

Field Trip to Singapore October 12- 14, 2010

The Graduate School of Education will organize a field trip to Singapore. Students get the opportunity to enrich their knowledge which enables them to relate theories and practice in the area of education by visiting schools and Universities in Singapore and understand the differences in methods

and environments compared to Thailand.

GRADUATE SCHOOL OF EDUCATION ASSUMPTION UNIVERSITY