Article : Learn how to succeed in Open
University
Author: Ms. Kritsuli Thongniam
Doctorate Student of
Sukhothai Thammathirat University # 5
ID Code 4561500051
Abstract
Currently, people all level in
everywhere can be accessed to the educational system. By the fully support of government,
the remote education via online system have been established as an open
university such as Sukhothai Thamathirat university. Because of the unfamiliar
of this type of education in open system, not a face-to-face environment,
students have to adapt and change their behavior and attitude. The student
should emphasized on preparation of mind & body, time management, knowledge
and expertise in the field of the related subjects, foreign language, skill of
listening - reading - writing - speaking and communication technology.
Furthermore, the practice during class also need to be prepared such as
learning methedology, communicating with the Instructor and the students, a good
study habits, knowing Educational Resources and Enhancing Unity among the
Faculty. The mentioned preparation
should be useful for students in distance learning system of Open University
and online learning to use as preparation guidelines before and during classes
to proudly complete education.
Introduction
Government has put a lot of efforts to expand
the coverage of educational opportunities to the general public by providing
educational institute with no limitation on number of students, nor class
attendance. The kind of education that allows distance learning and
self-studying on the university's teaching materials is required from students,
but also different method of knowledge assessment from "closed
university" with similar standard of quality.
Such educational institute is called “Open
University” or also known as “Education Market”. Currently, there is
only one open university in Thailand called Sukhothai Thammathirat
University (2521 B.E.) who offers distance learning. Several private
universities also provide online education, for example, Pitsanulok University,
Rangsit University, Ratchapak Institute, etc. Also, there is a collaborative
project among universities in Thailand for distance learning via online system
under the name "Cyber Thai University" (source: wikipedia.org).
Distance learning system is taught in open
system without class attendance and no enrollment to individual subject.
Students and teachers are far apart but could have interactive activities
through mixed Medias, for example, on-line, postal, broadcasting radio and
television. As necessary, there still are opportunities to meet, for example,
special classes, academic seminars, etc at the educational institute. Students
would mostly engage in self learning according to the curriculum of each
department.
In the past, learning and teaching in
Thailand was carried out in "closed system" where students and
teachers had direct and simultaneous communication which is different from the
open system. The difference caused Thai students to be quite unfamiliar with
the teaching and learning styles. Hence, students who have become part of
distance learning have to put a lot of effort on their adjustment both
physically and mentally - behavior, attitude, and readiness in all aspects. The
author has the following suggestions for successful distance learning in Open
University:
PREPARATION BEFORE CLASS
1) Prepare
yourself
To begin doing
something, the first thing to do is …
Preparation
of mind : to prepare yourself to be ready to cope with things
especially with the learning. Students
must have vivid learning goals, passionate about what you are learning,
committed and relentless to obstacles and problems, patient and tolerant for
the awaiting success.
Preparation
of body : Healthcare is necessary for learning continuity and
strength both physically and mentally. Over-studying would jeopardize mental
health and damage physical health. Regular exercise would not only lead to
strong physical health but also reduce stress.
2 ) Prepare Funding
This
is also a very important matter. Students must prepare sufficient source of
fund for the completion of all courses on the syllabus; either personal funding
or sponsorship/ scholarship at different education levels so that the learning
would not be interrupted or cancelled halfway due to lack of fund causing
learning period to be prolonged into several years.
3 ) Prepare Time Management
Learning
in Open University system would mostly involve in self-study which would
require time for researching additional information. Appropriate time
management for all other activities is necessary to balance studying, working,
family, and personal time. Importantly, understanding from all relevant parties
is necessary to avoid the adverse aftermaths.
4 ) Prepare Knowledge and Expertise
Upon
deciding to study in any field of your interest, knowledge and expertise must
be sufficiently prepared avoid learning obstacles from ignorance in that field.
Therefore, students need to create foundation in your field of study and
acquire the following knowledge:
• Basic Knowledge
in the field of your study and related subjects
This is essential. If you have no basic
knowledge in your field of study, then you have to research and acquire more
knowledge.
• Basic
Knowledge in Foreign Language; i.e. English
Nowadays, learning is closely related to
researching from foreign countries; i.e., textbooks or research from abroad. If
you have no knowledge in English language, you will miss the opportunity to
access information and the use of media technologies.
• Skill
Enhancements: Listening - Reading - Writing - Speaking
Graduate
study requires reading and listening skills on course materials so that data
could be processed and produced into report, research and academic article,
etc. In addition, speaking skill would also be necessary to present your
ideas/works to instructors, friends or the public.
5 ) Prepare Communication Technology
Today
society is in digital age where technologies are applied to aspects of everyday
life, businesses including learning and teaching. For speed and flexibility in
communication and data researching, all systems require communication
technologies; i.e., computer, mobile phone, smart phone, etc. Students are then required to not only have
communication devices, but also learn and use the technologies to help with
their studies.
DURING CLASS
1) Know how to learn
Consistently pay
attention in learning and follow news/information from the university and
lecturers so not to miss out information/changes. Students must be disciplined
by appropriately scheduling, setting up priorities and be responsible in
learning; i.e., working according to academic principles, completing
assignments and submitting on-time.
2 )
Communicate with the Instructor
For
distance learning, students and instructor will communicate on-line or by
phone. Students must try not to lose communication and participate in
activities otherwise students will not receive important knowledge/information
which would be useful for their studies.
3 )
Communicate with Other Students
Similarly,
students who learn in the open system need to form a network of students.
Communication technologies may be used for discussion, passing, exchanging and
sharing information or comments among students for group works. Nobody could
study successfully by themselves. Extracurricular or recreational activities
with friends are recommended. Genuine achiever is the one whose both IQ and EQ
are high.
4)
Create Good Study Habits
Schedules
are set up as guidelines for studying. Notes from readings and researching are
orderly recorded in steps, no procrastination that would pile up pending
assignments and eventually causing delayed submission, missing deadlines, or
producing low quality work.
5) Find Educational Resources
Another
important thing is to know educational source(s) for academic research.
Students in distance learning system need to study by themselves. Educational
resource is therefore important to know and access; either via university
library, networks and online medias.
6) Enhance Unity among the Faculty
Graduate
study is not about competing but helping one another. It is about supporting
and encouraging one another for unity among faculty members.
The above suggestions should be, more or
less, useful for students in distance learning system of Open University and
online learning to use as preparation guidelines before and during classes to
proudly complete education. Most importantly, students must frequently
encourage yourself, motivate yourself to achieve your endeavors because there
is no one who could help you. Success is exclusively subjective. Different
level of devotion gives different outcome. As the old saying said "Success
is where your effort lies"
A good article and very useful. Would be published as a guide to others.
ReplyDeleteอ่านบทความนี้แล้วทำให้รู้สึกถึงเรื่องจริงรอบตัวที่บางครั้งเราอาจมองข้าม
ReplyDeleteและเชื่อมั่นว่าผู้ที่กำลังอยู่ในภาวะการเรียนคงจะได้ใช้ให้เป็นประโยชน์ ขอเป็นกำลังใจให้กับผู้เรียนทุกท่านในการก้าวไปสู่ความสำเร็จด้วยค่ะ
It is a very good sharing for the new student. Graduation from this kind of education system is not easy. The most importance is how to keep you way to your goal. Thank you for your advice.
ReplyDelete