On Monday the 18th of September 2023 a truly international collaboration of KKUIC x EdTESOL 17 x KKU Learning and Teaching Innovation Centre broadcasted live from the smart classroom 734 on the 7th floor of KKU’s Central Library to Adlington Primary School in England, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
Led by the Director of General Education and Linguistics Division of KKUIC, Dr. Paul Fairclough facilitated the special project requested from Mrs. E. Anderson of Adlington Primary School to give an introduction to Buddhism in Thailand to her class who were studying world religions.
Dr. Fairclough’s students who are studying to be English Language Teachers went above and beyond the expectations of the school and created a 45-minute engaging and interactive session that resulted in numerous questions at the end from Adlington Primary School pupils.
Part of the session was pre-recorded, including interviews with Buddhist Monks, and temple lay people, with translated dub and subtitles added.
Staff and pupils from Adlington Primary were engaged and impressed by the session, giving them a first hand account of Buddhism in Thailand. Likewise Dr. Fairclough’s students were surprised by the pupil engagement, including the number of pupils raising their hands with well thought out questions exercising their critical thinking.
This was an amazing opportunity for Dr. Fairclough’s students to practice teaching students virtually in the high tech smart classroom at the KKU Learning and Teaching Innovation Centre with smart and diligent pupils, promoting Buddhism, Thai language, Thailand and Thai culture. For Adlington Primary School pupils this was an amazing journey deep into the origins of Buddhism and Thailand from the heart of Isan.
Adlington Primary would like to engage in future projects and collaborations on other topics and Dr. Fairclough is keen to use the excellent facilities provided at KKU Smart Classrooms in the Learning and Teaching Innovation Centre to deliver a truly international experience for both KKU, KKUIC, and Adlington Primary School promoting sustainable development and creating global citizens.
