PROMOTING CREATIVE LEARNING THROUGH SMARTPHONE TECHNOLOGY FOR SOUTHEAST ASIA’S CHILDREN.

IMG_092916-18 November, Chiang Rai, Thailand

Children and teachers from Baan Nongbuadang School joined the workshop supported by The National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) to benefit from the training conducted by The Research Center of Communication and Development Knowledge Management (CCDKM) on promoting creative learning through smartphone technology and digital storytelling.

As technologies accelerate and change the ways countries produce and trade, it is essential to adapt to the demands of the emerging economies and learn the skills of critical thinking, creativity and problem solving needed in the workplace. During the training workshop, trainers and mentors coached 130 6th grade students on the importance of digital skills and knowledge for their future. In a research conducted among students from Baan Nongbuadang School, all of the children owned a smartphone and used mobile technology mainly for calls, play games, take selfies and use Facebook.

In the hands-on workshop, children were trained on the fundamentals of using Google tools in the classroom, connect through e-mail, social media and imagine digital products and services through digital storytelling. Children were encouraged to think out of the box, stimulate their creativity and use digital photography and editing skills as a tool to express their ideas, vision and design.

After the workshop, children presented their digital photography projects in front of the class and two of the students were awarded for the best pictures for advertising and e-commerce. “I have never used a smartphone to take product pictures before, but this experience taught me the skills I would need for my future”, said one of the students.

The training at Baan Nongbuadang School was an opportunity for kids and adults to learn and share knowledge about smartphone technology and how creative learning can benefit children in classrooms. Teachers should encourage media education and participatory activities to enable children to express their visions and make sense of the digital world.

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