I remember the exact moment last year when the government relaxed restrictions and we became less fearful of Covid-19. I began planning my teaching and decided on a theme for the year, which was respect. We use this theme to guide our curriculum in our Bible and life skill classes.
I think the most difficult aspect of last year was that we couldn’t meet or study face-to-face. Teaching our lessons would take a lot longer online than in-person. It was also challenging to make the content engaging for the students, but the students still put in a lot of effort and were very determined.
Last year, one of my classes was a multimedia class. To engage the students, I gave them activities to complete for homework.
For example, they learned to come up with a topic for their own YouTube channel, set up their YouTube channel, create content, make short videos, earn money from stickers (LINE Application), and sell photos on different apps.
What is impressive is that many students were able to study online and even finished all their homework consistently. Some students made YouTube channels and started creating videos. Some people took pictures to sell on stock photography websites. Other students even drew cartoons and sold them on different applications. I was very proud of their progress and creativity.
At Dton Naam, the students learn practical skills, like the ones I taught in my multimedia class, but they also learn personal skills too. Each student comes from a different background, upbringing, and family situation, so the skills they need to learn are different. I enjoy learning about their stories. I hope that when they finish at the foundation they will take what they have learned, whether it be baking, making coffee, speaking English, or having greater self-esteem, and apply it to their lives.
