Competency of Thai Teacher in 21st Century : Wind of Change

Abstract

The objectives of the research were (1) to study the problems of basic education teachers and 
(2) to study and understand of teachers’ competencies in the 21st century. The methodology of the research was qualitative research using in-depth interview of six experts on the teachers’ competency in the 21st century. Those six experts stated that the world society has been dramatically changed but at present some of the teachers still cannot keep up with the times. The findings obtained from qualitative analysis are as follows: (1) Regarding styles in teaching, the teacher use traditional teaching style are still dominant in actual classroom practice. And (2)Teachers lack teaching spirit. From the interview with experts, it was found that the teachers’ competencies at the basic education in the 21st century are (1) student-centred teaching competency, (2) formative evaluation taking into individual learner difference competency (assessment and evaluation taking into account individual learner difference), (3) computing and ICT literacy competency, (4) morality and professional ethics competency, (5) teamwork and professional learning community competency, (6) cross cultural awareness competency, and (7) coaching and facilitating competency. The results have implications for administrators and stakeholders to create necessary teacher training and development to prepare them to be teachers of 21st century.