Ban pong: Sarassit Wittayalai College has initiated a significant shift towards Active Learning by implementing the GPAS 5 Steps systemic higher-order thinking process, transforming the educational landscape in the region.
According to Thai News Agency, Sarassit Wittayalai School recently hosted over 50 educators from the Salesian network for a workshop focused on the GPAS 5 Steps approach. This initiative is part of the school's preparation for a standards-based curriculum, aligning with its goal to become an innovation-driven institution. The move marks a critical point for Catholic schools in Ban Pong, setting a precedent in the Thai education system for competency-based learning models that emphasize rapid adaptation and effective implementation.
Father Somroj Chaiyachana, the school's director, emphasized the clarity and enhancement brought by the GPAS 5 Steps to Active Learning. He noted that the systematic approach not only bolsters higher-order thinking but also aids teachers in planning and problem-solving, thus fostering genuine competency development among students. The enthusiastic participation of teachers, even on a holiday, underscores their commitment to advancing student learning.
Teachers at the workshop expressed that the GPAS framework offers a clearer process for analytical thinking, structured questioning, data collection, and result summarization. It allows for directed student self-assessment, complementing the existing curriculum to facilitate deeper analysis and more effective student outcomes. This systematic thinking process is seen as a key enhancer of active learning.
Dr. Thanet Kidrungruang, Deputy Director of the Salesian Education Center, highlighted the alignment of the GPAS 5 Steps with the Salesian curriculum's goals of holistic development. He pointed out that the integration of higher-order thinking with systematic processes cultivates responsibility, collaboration, and rational evaluation, essential for student growth.
The GPAS 5 Steps method, as articulated by Dr. Saksinsin Rojnasranrom, President of the Institute for Academic Quality Development, addresses major educational weaknesses in Thailand. By focusing on thinking before reading and understanding before writing, the process aims to improve analytical skills and moral values, thereby positively impacting student performance in assessments like PISA.
The initiative at Sarassit Wittayalai School serves as a model for adaptation in Catholic schools, demonstrating that focused teacher development can lead to systemic transformation. The implementation of the GPAS 5 Steps is a testament to the potential for Thai classrooms to evolve into contemporary educational environments that foster real competencies through active learning.