Teacher, what did I learn today?

The teacher was surprised and asked why the child wanted to know. Somchai said: "My mum always asks me and I never know what to say."

Not many students would pose such a direct question to their teachers. And while many would find it hard to answer, some teachers would know just how to respond.

Mr Chanarat Kamonn and Miss Atchara Rattanawong, two information, communication and technology (ICT) coordinators and teachers from Rayongwittayakom School, would say that their students come to school to become better, more intelligent, and healthier people.

Rayongwittayakom, a highly regarded secondary school in Rayong province, is a participant in the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (Unesco) SchoolNet project. The project launched in 2004, with one of its primary objectives being to strengthen ICT utilisation.

In addition to creating ICT-integrated lesson plans in maths, science and English at the middle school level, the project offers the opportunity to work with students and teachers overseas, in what are known as learning circle activities.

Participants in learning circle activities use the Internet as a tool to communicate and work with teachers and students in other member-countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean). Asean comprises Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Burma, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

A learning circle typically consists of six to eight students in the same or different grade. Each group collects cultural and geographical information and works through six different stages: preparing, greeting, investigating, data collecting, sharing and saying goodbye.

The project attracts all kinds of students, and has so far proved a big hit, especially among the more curious individuals.

Nevertheless, Ajarn Chanarat warns that the success of the SchoolNet project largely depends on the effectiveness of individual schools' computer facilities. The ideal scenario would include a free webboard service and a stable hosting network.

Once a school decides to participate in the SchoolNet project, students are required do all the work, and need minimum teacher supervision. However, given the interactive nature of the project, it is vitally important that groups keep on schedule with one another.

"In the learning circle, students can use the Internet purposefully," says Ajarn Chanarat. "They can make different friends across Asean and learn from them."

Both Ajarn Chanarat and Ajarn Atchara would be able to answer Somchai's question. They understand that nowadays, students learn an enormous amount from projects such as SchoolNet, without necessarily knowing they are gaining new knowledge and skills.

For more information about the Unesco SchoolNet project and Learning Circle visit http://202.183.216.170/schoolnet/index.htm .