School Observations
Classroom Observations
At Suranaree Wittaya School there are 2 programs, namely the Regular Program and the English Program. The Regular Program uses Thai as the medium of instruction, while the English Program uses English as the medium of instruction. We were placed in the English Program Class which uses English. The facilities in the classroom are very adequate, including LCD with projector screen, air conditioning, whiteboard, whiteboard markers, whiteboard eraser, computer for teacher, chairs and tables, wall magazines, display case, shelves for storing things. student. Outside the classroom, specifically on the terrace of each class, there is a shoe rack for storing students' shoes. Apart from that, there are cleaning tools such as brooms, scoops, trash cans, dusters and soft mops.
Observation of Teacher Teaching Methods
The mathematics teacher named Mr. Patrick Cagalawan. In my opinion, his way of explaining was fast but on time. Apart from that, he will ask students who are not paying attention when he is explaining and students will be given time to answer in the form of a countdown from 10 to 1 quickly. He also sometimes writes wrong answers on the blackboard to check whether students are paying attention or not. He occasionally jokes and advises students when the opportunity arises.
Learning and innovation materials
The mathematics learning material there is more or less the same as in Indonesia, although there is some material that I don't get in my country but it is taught there. The innovation is that teachers use simple and practical methods to solve a problem. For example, when explaining, the teacher gives students two formulas. One is a formula with a long solution, the second is a practical formula. Then the teacher asks students to work on one problem using the two formulas that have been given. If both results are the same, it means they are correct, if both results are different, it means there is something wrong in the calculation. However, for exams where time is limited, teachers encourage students to use practical formulas to save time.
Sources of learning and technology used by the teachers
When learning mathematics, teachers usually look for sources from websites, YouTube, and printed books from schools. The technology used to support learning is LCD, Laptop, iPad. Most students usually record learning material using an iPad, although there are some who still use notebooks. They would be happier if they learned to use adequate technology. Therefore, the school is trying to develop learning technology that is more creative and attractive for students in order to increase student learning motivation.
Authentic assessment used by the teachers
KPA - 60pts
Knowledge, Performance, Attitude
It refers to the daily class participations, homework submissions, and Unit Summary Tests.
Midterms - 20pts Includes Unit 1 and 2, Finals - 20pts Includes Unit 1-4.
KPA - 60pts
Midterms - 20pts, Finals - 20pts
Total 100pts
80-100 = 4
75-79 = 3.5
70-74 = 3
65-69 = 2.5
60-64 = 2
55-59 = 1.5
50-55 = 1
We also have PENDING grades if student has incomplete works or if they went for exchange program to another country.
And FAILED for students who didn’t get at least 50pts or students who dropped out without notifying.
Observation of Teaching Plan
This is what the lesson plan he showed looks like. Very short compared to Indonesia, only writing sub-chapters. However, there are examples of lesson plans that are more detailed and complete. The following is an example of a more detailed lesson plan. And below is the teaching plan that I made.
Curriculum
The curriculum used is The Basic Education Core Curriculum. The Basic Education Core Curriculum is aimed at enhancing capacity of all learners, who constitute the major force of the country, so as to attain balanced development in all respects—physical strength, knowledge and morality. They will fully realise their commitment and responsibilities as Thai citizens as well as members of the world community. Adhering to a democratic form of government under constitutional monarchy, they will be endowed with basic knowledge and essential skills and favourable attitude towards further education, livelihood and lifelong learning. The learner-centred approach is therefore strongly advocated, based on the conviction that all are capable of learning and self-development to their highest potentiality.
Teaching Practice
Procedures of Teaching
The material I taught at that time was about Graph of Quadratic Functions for class 9. The learning media I used were PowerPoint and textbooks. The learning method that I use is the contextual learning method, namely this learning method will be used by the teacher to explain the material presented and then connect it to the real world. The aim of this model is to enable students to understand material with comparisons to the real world that they have experienced.
Time management and organizing activities
Lesson lasted 55 minutes. The time distribution includes 5 minutes for the teacher to go to class, 45 minutes for the teacher to do lessons in class, and 5 minutes for the teacher if he wants to go to the rest room. 45 minutes during learning activities include :
- Introduction (5 minutes)
I introduced myself, where I come from, my major, Instagram ID, and so on.
- Review material in the last meeting (5 minutes)
I reviewed the material at the previous meeting, namely about the Pythagoras Theorem. I drew a right triangle with one side known as "x" then I asked the students, "What is the value of x?" Then I guide them to calculate it.
And I made sure they all really understood the material at the last meeting by asking "Does everyone understand
the Pythagoras Theorem? If anyone doesn't understand or is still confused, please ask me."
- Teaching (20 minutes)
Then I started explaining today's material, namely about Graphs of Quadratic Functions. First of all, I explained the material in the textbook, then I gave questions via PowerPoint to work on together.
- Seat work (10 minutes)
I asked students to make the groups, one group consisting of 2 people, and distributed the worksheets that I had
previously made to each group. I gave them 10 minutes to work on it. I also walked around and was ready to help
them if there were any difficulties while they were working on the questions. They are very enthusiastic about
working on questions and actively ask questions if there is something they don't understand. I try to be friendly
with them when explaining so that they are not embarrassed to ask questions.
- Checking (5 minutes)
After the time for working on the worksheet was up, I corrected the students' answers by discussing the answers
together with them. I showed the correct answer on the monitor screen, then I asked them, "Girl, who has the
correct answer, please raise your hand?" Then those whose answers were correct raised their hands and for
those whose answers were not correct, I asked about where their mistakes were, which parts they did not
understand, then I explained to those whose answers were not correct according to their mistakes.
Classroom Management
Teachers motivate their students to be actively involved in class during learning by asking students questions. Apart from that, the teacher also invited students to come forward to solve the questions given. The teacher previously checked the students' seats, whether they were neat or not and also ensured the condition of the air conditioning so that students were comfortable while studying.
Problem solving during teaching and stay at the designated school
In accordance with Mr. Patrick's directions, if there are students who are not paying attention, ask them questions about the things I have just explained. To check whether students understand or not, I need to write down the wrong answers. If students are just silent it means they are not paying attention, but if students correct it it means they are paying attention. If students are busy in class, while I'm explaining, try to be quiet for a moment, wait until they are quiet on their own, then ask them a question.
For Mr. Patrick:
Thank you for giving me knowledge that I would not necessarily get in my country and this extraordinary experience. Hopefully we can meet again to share the best stories.
And for students :
Thank you for being my first international student, warm greetings and smiles from me...
See you on top, girls.
I'll miss you all... ;-)
​
This is a video link of my teaching practice :
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1_q0Lku-y0mNpoEPklw57MdGPyJbMzq84/view?usp=drivesdk
