Faculty of Education Education News Spring / Summer 2012 Page 13
Thailand . The findings were used as the basis to offer suggestions for best practices in workplace learning programs . Both external and internal factors were associated with the success or failure of workplace learning programs . Suapa ’ s recommendations related to the critical roles and responsibilities of administrators , managers , HRD personnel , and employees in enhancing the success of workplace learning programs . Dr . Khalideen and Dr . Abu Bockarie , current director of the U of R AE / HRD program , were his mentors and co-supervisors .
Although he completed his research in Thailand , Suapa says “ the knowledge and experience gained from the research is definitely applied to my current job ... My work experience from Thailand and my dissertation provided a good understanding of the nature of industrial workplaces . In addition , I understand how people in organizations perceive the advantages of workplace learning programs [ and ] how those employees , as adult learners , need and learn new skills .”
A Thai background can be considered both an advantage and a disadvantage , according to Suapa . One advantage is that he can be a role model for his students . Suapa says , “ I overheard some of my Aboriginal students talking to each other and to other work colleagues saying ‘ Look at Nic ; ( my nickname here ) he is not a native speaker , but he graduated with his Ph . D . from a Canadian university . If he can do it , so can you [ Aboriginal students ] do it !’ ” Another advantage is , “ I understand how difficult it is for people who learn English as their second language , like some First Nations students . I could help them to overcome those difficulties . I am not claiming I am English instructor ; however , I know where they get stuck and how to help them to overcome because I have already experienced those difficulties ,” says Suapa . Other TRU employees see an advantage in Suapa ’ s Thai background because he does not hold a Canadian- , European- , or First Nation-centric viewpoint . Suapa says , “ My background provides me with an unbiased view with First Nation students . I believe that my unbiased perspective is my greatest strength in this job .”
Still , Suapa explains that his Thai background can also have disadvantages : “ Some white students may feel uncomfortable with my pronunciation , enunciation , word choices , or grammar . This limitation affects a few white students at first ; however , once they have listened to my lecture , they seem to become more comfortable with the class . I solved this problem by using more written content such as PowerPoint along with my lecture . This helps a lot .”
Suapa has now been in Canada for 7 years . He has benefitted a great deal from his education and work experiences . While working with the Learning Centre , “ I taught many Aboriginal students on campus and went to teach members of First Nations Bands for months . I have gained great understanding of how Aboriginal people perceive , respond , and approach their education . I have learned their culture and perspective toward their life and their education . I have learned about how to deal with their life context and difficult situations , especially when they want to progress in their education from basic education , to university preparation and continuing to their certificates , diploma and degrees ,” says Suapa .
A strong educational background has equipped Suapa for his current position . He says , “ In terms of education , I have a B . Ed ., M . Ed ., MPA , and Ph . D . in Education . With this educational background , many people think that I should be a perfect fit to the position . However , I think the course : ED870 Trends and Issues in Aboriginal Adult Education that I took at the U of R with Dr . Shauneen Pete was definitely a benefit to me for work in this position .”
In July 2012 , the Academy of Education Arts and Sciences announced that the first National Education Tweetup has attracted some of the most influential micro-bloggers in the field of education . The list includes prominent online thought leaders like Harvard alumna Shelly Blake-Plock , coexecutive director of the Digital Harbor Foundation ; Alec Couros , professor of educational technology and media at the Faculty of Education , University of Regina ; Kyle Pace , instructional technology specialist ; Shannon Miller , awardwinning teacher and librarian ; George Couros , Division Principal of Innovative Teaching and Learning for PSD70 ; and Eric Sheninger , principal of New Milford High School ( NJ ), member of the Academy of Education Arts and Science and ambassador of the Tweetup . Though not household names , each of these individuals is an influential and prominent member of the education Twitterati , with 14,000 to 23,000 educators following their daily tweets .