Browsing by Subject "Challenges"
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ItemEFL university teachers' professional development in the Thai context( 2018) Sureepong PhothongsunanThis study aims to explore the perceptions of 30 English as a Foreign Language (EFL) teachers serving in public universities in Thailand regarding needs, challenges and quality of teacher career development in their universities. A questionnaire and an interview are employed to gather data. According to the teacher development programs offered, all universities served by the participants provide prospects for teachers to have further in-service education. In relation to professional development, nearly all participants point out a strong need for obtaining a higher degree as career advancement in their field and interestingly as a tool for salary increment. Teacher collaboration and student learning also emerge as possible factors motivating teachers to strive for self-improvement. Although undertaking research is referred to as an important and for some a required element for English teaching jobs, time-consuming nature and a sophisticated process discourage its instigation. Regarding views about quality of university teacher development, most report being satisfied with the overall universities’ emphasis on improving English teaching and learning by accentuating teachers as a key. However, teachers’ lacking motivation to progress professionally due to excessive teaching workload and internal politics embedded in some universities can be reasons preventing teachers from securing educational growth. Implications from the study shed light on the significance to support the quality of university teachers through furnishing sufficient opportunities of professional development and what Thai EFL university teachers aspire to accomplish most to develop themselves efficiently.
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ItemPolitical security abstacles and challenges of Timor-Leste's ASEAN membershipThe Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste has implemented its foreign policy by participating in various international organizations. To enhance its relation with other countries, particularly at the regional level, Timor-Leste is working hard to achieve its full membership in ASEAN and has already shown its seriousness to do so, submitting a formal application in 2011. This research focuses on political-security, aiming to find and describe the obstacles and challenges to political security in Timor-Leste, in support of the country joining ASEAN in the near future. Obstacles that have already been resolved by Timor-Leste, include the political security crisis of 2006, a problem of displaced persons, reconciliation and issues regarding veterans. The issues that still need serious attention from the government, in order to be overcome, include unlawful martial arts groups, boundary issues, and comprehensive security. While, political security challenges for the country are good governance, democracy, human rights, the electoral system, and national security.
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ItemA qualitative case study on the challenges of ACS wASC accreditation preparation in King Mongkut's International Demonstration SchoolThe aim of this research study was to identify the challenges of King Mongkut’s International Demonstration School (KMIDS) on the Accrediting Commission for Schools, Western Association of Schools and Colleges (ACS WASC) accreditation preparation, from the perspective of school administrators, school supervisor, ACS WASC coordinators and teachers. For this purpose, the researchers built and implemented an in-depth, structured interview protocol, which was conducted one-on-one with 17 participants. Member-checking and triangulation techniques were used in combination with notes from the observations and document reviews in order to ensure internal validity. The researchers applied a systematic qualitative design, consisting of open coding, axial coding, and selective coding, to analyze and interpret the collected data. Such inductive and deductive qualitative process led to the identification of 14 themes and 24 sub-themes oriented around the six categories of ACS WASC initial visit framework. Regarding “Organization for student learning”, there were four main challenges and eight sub-challenges found. Regarding “Curriculum, instruction and assessment”, there were two main challenges and six subchallenges found. Regarding “Support for student personal and academic growth”, there were two main challenges and two sub-challenges found. Regarding “Resource management and development”, there were one challenge and two sub-challenges found. Regarding “ONESQA standards for Thai language and Thai studies”, there were two main challenges and two sub-challenges found. Regarding “Boarding program”, there were three challenges found. Finally, recommendations for different stakeholders in relation to the six categories of ACS WASC initial visit framework, as well as for future researchers, are presented.
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ItemThe relationship between grades four to six students' perceptions towards Montessori teaching method and their achievement at Mahachai Christian Wittaya School, ThailandThe primary purpose of this research study was to investigate students' perceptions towards Montessori teaching method and whether there is any relationship between students' perceptions towards Montessori teaching method and their academic achievement. The study was conducted upon grade 4,5 and 6 students at Mahachai Christian Wittaya School, Mahachai, Thailand in a Montessori setting. A questionnaire was used for data collection and 97 students completed the surveys that measured their perceptions towards Montessori teaching method. The data analysis showed that the students' perceptions were positive. A one-way ANOVA indicated that statistically no significant difference in the perceptions towards Montessori teaching method existed between the three groups. It was found that the students were most positive towards the construct of challenge and were not sure of their positions towards control and captivate, which had the lowest mean scores. Students' GPAs were found to be very good. A Pearson Correlation conducted to investigate the relationship between students' perceptions and their achievement found the existence of a strong positive relationship between students' perceptions and their achievement levels and supports previous research. It is recommended that Mahachai Christian Wittaya School could use current data to plan future changes and improvements and consider students' perceptions in future strategies. Future research should investigate the constructs of control and captivate to find out the effects of these variables upon student performance.
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ItemThai University Academics' Challenges of Writing for Publication in English( 2016) Sureepong PhothongsunanThis study examines challenges faced by Thai university lecturers with regards to publishing their academic works in English. 18 academics from two university settings in Thailand were involved in this investigation. The interviews were used to understand the lecturers’ perceptions of the issues in writing for scholarly publication in the English language. Particularly, the aim of the research sought to discover what hindrances Thai university academics experienced and how they handled them. In addition, their needs for successful publishing were explored. The findings revealed three salient emerging themes, including (1) the need for publication in English; (2) difficulties in writing in English; and (3) the need for strenuous research support. The study suggests that university lecturers need more encouragement and support to publishing their academic works as a means of securing professional development, enhancing research culture and maintaining and increasing the national and international reputation of the university along with quality assurance.
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ItemThai university academics’ challenges of writing for publication in English( 2016) Sureepong PhothongsunanThis study examines challenges faced by Thai university lecturers with regards to publishing their academic works in English. 18 academics from two university settings in Thailand were involved in this investigation. The interviews were used to understand the lecturers’ perceptions of the issues in writing for scholarly publication in the English language. Particularly, the aim of the research sought to discover what hindrances Thai university academics experienced and how they handled them. In addition, their needs for successful publishing were explored. The findings revealed three salient emerging themes, including (1) the need for publication in English; (2) difficulties in writing in English; and (3) the need for strenuous research support. The study suggests that university lecturers need more encouragement and support to publishing their academic works as a means of securing professional development, enhancing research culture and maintaining and increasing the national and international reputation of the university along with quality assurance.