#Education

A wave of educational innovation is making coding more accessible for Thai students and teachers. At the 2025 Future of Education Technology Conference (FETC) in Orlando, experts discussed block-based programming and a teaching shift that could narrow Thailand’s digital divide and inspire future coders.

Global recognition of computer science as a core future skill highlights a common hurdle for Thai classrooms: English-based coding languages, limited resources, and a shortage of trained teachers. Block-based programming lets learners snap together visual blocks to create programs, bypassing complex syntax. A senior leader in computer science education notes that block-based tools support learning in students’ local languages and reduce language barriers. When traditional languages like Pascal, C++, or Python are used, much of the coding environment relies on English; block-based approaches can enable Thai, Malay, or other languages, helping students say, “I can program,” much sooner.

A surge of new research is challenging long-held beliefs about how parenting shapes us as adults. In his book, Rethinking Psychology: Finding Meaning in Misconceptions, renowned psychologist Michael W. Eysenck highlights that genetics may play a larger role in adult personality than parenting styles. The Times of India outlines these findings, signaling important conversations for Thai families and educators accustomed to linking nurture with lifelong temperament and mental health.

In Thai culture, parenting often centers on discipline, moral guidance, and constant presence, values reinforced in homes, schools, and Buddhist temples. Eysenck’s synthesis draws on international studies to suggest that genetic inheritance accounts for a greater share of adult personality differences than previously recognized. While parental love and guidance remain essential for security and social skills, core traits such as extraversion, emotional stability, and openness may be rooted more in DNA than in parenting methods.

A groundbreaking international study, recently published in Nature Reviews Neuroscience, reframes how we understand music’s effect on the human brain. Led by a research team at the University of Connecticut, the project introduces neural resonance theory (NRT). It describes how brain activity naturally syncs with musical rhythms and melodies, offering new insight into why music moves us emotionally and physically.

For Thai readers, this research matters beyond science. Music is woven into daily life in Thailand—from wai kru ceremonies and mor lam performances to karaoke nights with friends. Understanding its neurological basis could inform health strategies, cognitive education, and cultural programs that strengthen well-being and social cohesion.

A wave of new research is overturning long-held beliefs about the power of parenting in shaping who we become as adults, with renowned psychologist Michael W. Eysenck’s latest book, “Rethinking Psychology: Finding Meaning in Misconceptions,” spotlighting the ways genetics, more than parenting styles, influence adult personalities. The findings, detailed in a recent report by the Times of India, are likely to spark important conversations in Thai families and among educators who have long assumed nurturing—rather than nature—was the primary driver of children’s lifelong temperaments and mental health Times of India.

A landmark study from the University of Houston has brought new clarity to an enduring educational challenge: while gender stereotypes in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) are pervasive, students’ views are far more nuanced than previously thought. Released this week and published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, the research found that girls and boys continue to assign masculine stereotypes to certain STEM fields—particularly engineering and computer science—while displaying more gender-neutral or even female-favoring attitudes toward math and biological sciences. The findings have important implications for educational practices and gender equity efforts in Thailand, where encouraging girls to pursue all STEM fields remains an ongoing policy goal.

A wave of recent research is challenging long-held beliefs about Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), questioning whether the condition is truly a lifelong, biologically fixed disorder and whether the medical model that has dominated diagnosis and treatment actually serves those affected. With global ADHD diagnosis rates soaring and stimulant prescriptions at record levels—mirrored by rising numbers in Thailand—the debate over what ADHD is and how best to help children and adults affected is more urgent than ever. These new perspectives could have a profound impact not only on clinical practice in the West but on the evolving approach to ADHD in Thailand, where both awareness and skepticism about the condition are growing rapidly.

Public use of screens to entertain children in restaurants has sparked renewed discussion among Thai families and experts. A widely shared opinion piece—“I let my children watch screens in restaurants — don’t lecture me if you don’t have kids”—has fueled conversations online and offline, underscoring evolving parenting approaches and growing scientific interest in screens as part of daily life.

For urban Thai households, dining out is increasingly common in cities like Bangkok, where space and schedules push families toward restaurants rather than home-cooked meals. In these settings, parents strive to keep children engaged and well-behaved to maintain a pleasant atmosphere for everyone. Critics often overlook the everyday pressures of parenting in a fast-paced society, while many parents argue that judgments rarely account for these realities.

A new study from the University of Houston sheds light on a persistent issue: gender stereotypes in STEM are real, but attitudes vary by field. The research shows that students often view engineering and computer science as male domains, while math and biology are seen as more gender-neutral or even female-favoring. The findings carry important implications for Thailand, where policies aim to expand girls’ participation across all STEM areas.

This matters for Thai readers because the country has long promoted STEM as a path to individual success and national growth. Thailand’s 4.0 initiative emphasizes gender equity in STEM as part of moving toward a value-based, innovation-driven economy. Yet women remain underrepresented in tech and engineering, mirroring global trends. The study suggests that interventions should treat STEM not as a single block but as distinct fields with different stereotype dynamics.

The use of screens to entertain children in public spaces, particularly restaurants, is sparking fresh debate among parents and experts, as new research sheds light on the nuanced role of digital devices in family life. A widely-shared recent opinion article—“I let my children watch screens in restaurants – don’t lecture me if you don’t have kids”—has ignited conversations both online and offline, reflecting shifting attitudes and growing scientific interest in how screens are woven into everyday parenting choices, especially in situations that call for calm and cooperation.

A new analysis ranks Louisiana as the riskiest state in the United States for sexual health, highlighting sharp regional disparities and limited access to reproductive care. By examining STD rates, teen birth rates, reproductive health resources, and state-level policies, the study draws attention to how policy and infrastructure shape health outcomes. The findings spotlight the south as a critical region for public health intervention, with implications for neighboring countries observing global trends in sexual health.

A newly released study has ranked Louisiana as the riskiest state in America for sexual health, highlighting sharp regional disparities and a crisis of healthcare access that has implications for public health responses in the United States. Utilizing an analysis of sexually transmitted disease (STD) rates, teen birth rates, reproductive health resources, and state-level reproductive rights policies, the report has brought national attention to alarming sexual health trends particularly concentrated in southern states.

A paradigm-shifting international study, just published in Nature Reviews Neuroscience, is transforming our scientific understanding of how the human brain engages with music. Led by a University of Connecticut research group, the project proposes a “neural resonance theory” (NRT) that describes how our brains physically sync with musical rhythms and melodies, providing groundbreaking insight into why music moves us—literally and emotionally.

This research is significant for the Thai public, as it not only broadens the global dialogue on music’s universal power but also points to direct health, cultural, and educational applications. From community wai kru ceremonies and mor lam performances to everyday karaoke, music permeates Thai social life. Understanding its deep neurological basis may help in designing interventions for well-being, cognitive enhancement, and even healthcare.

As artificial intelligence becomes increasingly accessible, a silent revolution is upending global higher education, with students using AI tools like ChatGPT to complete coursework, exams, and even job application processes. According to a recent in-depth report from New York Magazine’s Intelligencer, academic cheating via AI is rapidly becoming normalized in universities across the United States. The article exposes how students now routinely offload assignments to AI, with some estimating that as much as 80% of their written work is AI-generated. This trend raises serious questions about the authenticity of academic credentials—and the future of learning itself.

Recent remarks from a senior Apple executive have sparked renewed questions about whether AI could threaten Google’s dominance in online search. As global digital behavior shifts, the topic matters for Thai consumers and Southeast Asia’s tech sector alike.

Apple’s top services executive noted, for the first time, a decline in searches conducted through Safari, where Google remains the default. The shift is linked to growing interest in AI-powered alternatives, including OpenAI and other providers offering direct answers and richer interactions. This trend has prompted Apple to explore integrating such tools into its devices in the future, signaling a broader move toward AI-assisted search. Research from industry analyses supports the idea that AI-enabled results are reshaping user expectations and potentially altering traditional search dynamics.

A new AI platform named Xanthorox has surfaced, drawing intense attention from cybersecurity experts and ethicists. Designed to assist cybercriminal activity and accessible via a subscription, it signals a troubling shift in how digital crime could be carried out. A recent report highlights concerns that Xanthorox could lower barriers for individuals to conduct sophisticated scams and attacks.

For Thailand, a country rapidly embracing digital services, the emergence of Xanthorox matters deeply. With daily life increasingly conducted online—from banking to government services—the potential for data misuse grows. Thailand already faces a higher-than-average rate of cybercrime in the region, underscoring the need for strengthened defenses and public awareness campaigns.

A recent opinion piece in The Oregonian sparked renewed discussion about priorities in parenting: should compulsory family time trump participation in children’s birthday parties? The debate, amplified by a family policy declared by a parenting influencer, resonates with Thai families navigating how to balance Fun (sanook), community harmony (saamaaki), academic pressures, and time with loved ones.

In the piece, the influencer cites insights from well-known parenting economist Emily Oster and advocates reserving Sunday mornings for nuclear family activities such as outings and shared meals. The aim is to streamline schedules and strengthen togetherness, which the author says enables more meaningful interactions at home. In Bangkok’s fast-paced urban life, many families can relate to the desire for predictable routines amid crowded calendars.

A wave of new neuroscience is reshaping how we think about sex differences in the brain. Leading researchers say while tiny biological differences exist, male and female brains are far more alike than once believed. This has important implications for education, health, and gender equality in Thailand and around the world.

For many years, stereotypes have linked logic and spatial ability to men, and empathy or nurturing to women. In Thai classrooms and workplaces, these ideas have influenced career choices and mental-health perceptions. Modern neuroscience suggests these labels oversimplify a complex picture. As a senior researcher from a national institute explains, there is no brain measure that cleanly separates male from female brains; distributions overlap across the board. If shown two brains—one from a man and one from a woman—it would be nearly impossible to distinguish them by structure alone.

A new artificial intelligence (AI) platform named Xanthorox has recently surfaced, igniting intense debate among cybersecurity experts and ethicists. Unlike its predecessors, this AI is designed almost exclusively for cybercriminal activities—and it’s disturbingly accessible to anyone willing to pay a subscription fee. The emergence of Xanthorox marks an alarming shift in the cybercrime landscape, potentially lowering the bar for everyday people to engage in sophisticated digital scams and attacks, according to a recent report in Scientific American.

A new study links girls’ dietary quality to the age at which puberty begins, with broad implications for health, education, and families in Thailand and beyond. While genetics and body size have long been considered key predictors of menarche, researchers now emphasize that nutrition quality may play a decisive role, potentially affecting long-term risk for chronic diseases. For Thai communities, this signals the importance of early nutrition not only for immediate well-being but for lifelong health trajectories.

Recent remarks from a leading Apple executive have reignited debate about whether the rapid rise of artificial intelligence could undermine Google’s long-standing dominance of online search. As digital habits shift worldwide, these developments carry significant implications for both Thai consumers and the wider Southeast Asian tech sector.

In a notable admission, Apple’s senior vice president of services told media outlets that for the first time ever, the volume of searches conducted through Apple’s Safari browser—where Google is the default search engine—declined in April. The executive attributed this trend to surging interest in AI-enabled alternatives, including services such as OpenAI, Perplexity, and Anthropic. These platforms, which deliver direct answers and richer interactions than traditional search engines, are capturing attention globally and prompting Apple to consider integrating them into its own devices in the future, as reported by Investopedia.

A wave of groundbreaking research is transforming our understanding of sex differences in the human brain, shaking loose centuries-old stereotypes about male and female cognition. According to leading neuroscientists, while certain biological differences exist, the reality is that male and female brains are far more alike than once believed—a message with deep significance for education, health, and gender equality in Thailand and beyond (VICE).

For generations, popular culture and even some scientific claims have painted male brains as inherently more logical or spatially gifted, while female brains are seen as more emotional or nurturing. These ideas continue to echo through Thai classrooms, workplaces, and family discussions, influencing everything from career choices to mental health stigma. But modern neuroscience is dismantling such binary thinking. As Dr. Armin Raznahan of the US National Institute of Mental Health explains, “I’m not aware of any measure you can make of the human brain where the male and female distributions don’t overlap.” In fact, according to Raznahan, if you were shown two brains—one from a male, one from a female—it would be nearly impossible to tell them apart based solely on structure.

A new study has brought to light a critical link between girls’ dietary habits and the age at which they reach puberty, with profound implications for health, education, and family life in Thailand and worldwide. Traditionally, genetics and body size have been considered the main predictors of when a girl will experience menarche—her first menstrual period. However, this latest research, published in the journal Human Reproduction, suggests that what girls eat may be an even more significant driver, potentially influencing long-term risk for several chronic diseases. The findings underscore the importance of early nutrition, not only for immediate wellbeing but also for shaping health trajectories long into adulthood (Earth.com).

As artificial intelligence becomes more accessible, a quiet upheaval is reshaping higher education worldwide. Students now use AI tools to draft coursework, prepare exams, and even navigate job applications. A recent in-depth feature highlights how AI-assisted cheating is becoming normalized in many universities. Some students report that a large portion of their written work is AI-generated, raising questions about the authenticity of degrees and the future of learning.

Thai universities are not insulated from these trends. The country has fast-tracked digital learning and AI-powered tools since the pandemic, and educators are wrestling with new forms of academic dishonesty. For Thai parents, students, and teachers, the key questions are clear: does technology erode the value of a university education, and how should institutions respond?

A recent opinion piece from The Oregonian by columnist Lizzy Acker has sparked renewed discussion regarding family priorities in parenting, analyzing whether “compulsory family time” should trump traditional childhood activities—specifically, attending kids’ birthday parties. The debate, drawn into public view by a parenting influencer’s declaration of a family policy against weekend party attendance, holds wide-ranging implications for Thai parents and families navigating cultural, social, and emotional priorities for their children.