IMPLEMENTATION OF ONLINE LEARNING PROGRAM IN MIGRANT COMMUNITY: TEACHERS’ CHALLENGES AND SUGGESTIONS

Abstract

While several scholarship opportunities are available to Myanmar migrants and refugee students in Thailand, many students face difficulties finding affordable and convenient ways to prepare for university entry requirements. To provide lifelong learning opportunities for these marginalized young adults, flexible online learning programs can play a significant role. This exploratory qualitative case study presents the challenges hindering the implementation of an online learning program in Mae Sot, a Thai town on the border with Myanmar. The study also reports suggestions of the participants in dealing with challenges of online learning for migrant students. Nine administrators and teachers of migrant learning centers (MLCs) in Tak province participated in this study. Semi-structured interviews and document analysis were methods applied. Although the migrant community acknowledges the benefits and opportunities of online learning, MLCs have not yet fully implemented eLearning as a mode of education. There are particular challenges to effectively implement the online learning program in the migrant community. Six challenges are identified: accessibility, support services, attitude, networking, contents, and accreditation, along with solutions proposed by the participants. This study claims that lack of accessibility, attitude and networking in the community are the major barriers among the other challenges in the migrant community. In dealing with challenges, three main recommendations proposed by the participants were: to develop courses for the beginner level, to establish an online learning study center with suitable infrastructure and resources in the migrant community, and to have regular communications with the migrant education providers