Challenges of Implementation Digital Learning and Online Collaboration to Teach Pronunciation during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Thailand Nutprapha K. Dennis
Ubon Ratchathani Rajabhat University
Abstract
hat an English pronunciation class for first
year English major students at Ubon Ratchathani
Rajabhat University, a local university in Thailand,
opened for the summer semester during April-May,
2020. One of the government policies to slow down and
limit the spread of the virus was to close places where too
many people gather. Regular classes at schools were
cancelled. All the classes had to shift to online and
distance learning. It was an opportunity to manage
alternative learning and teaching with digital and online
collaboration. Unfortunately, most teachers at the
English department did not have enough time to prepare
and nor adapt to the changes because the mandate was
issued to close to the start date of the summer classes.
Creating and planning online classes were proving to be
absolute challenges. This article focuses on the challenges
faced by students and teachers while adapting to learning
and teaching style needed to implement conduct a course
completely online instead of in a classroom during a 2-
month-summer class at a local university in Thailand.
The most urgent plans were training and educating both
teachers and students about living and working around
the virus, including working and studying remotely.
Wearing masks, sustaining physical distancing and
personal hygiene needed prevent the spread of the virus.
Choosing user-friendly a learning platform was also
another challenge.The information and the conclusion of
this panel will help educators to prepare and choose the
best way to construct a blended online learning
classroom in a limited period of time more effectively.
Keywords: - digital learning; online collaboration; English pronunciation; blended online learning
