Ni Hao

哈罗

<hello>

Anyone can fly to China and climb the Great Wall. Only a lucky few can journey to a remote village and walk hand-in-hand with the precious children who live there. Only a few can laugh and delight in doing the hokey pokey in a tiny village at the base of a mountain surrounded by happy young faces.

Hokey Pokey

This journey opened my heart and my mind. The world IS a global village. There are things that my children and I can do to make the world a better place. Life isn’t just about work, soccer, basketball, the gym, or the newest restaurants in town. Life is about human connections…giving to the greater good.

My children and I will be putting together a special care package for the 120 children who attend Changiao Village School. We will share my pictures of the adults and children in the village, books for their library, and other supplies for their education. I want my children to share, and to understand the importance of reaching out. We will also write letters to my new friend from the Experimental High School, Roger. I am more passionate than ever about the power of ePals. Our children must learn to connect. They must learn to understand other lands, and share with other cultures. They need our help to open their young hearts and minds.

 Changio Village Children

My family will begin regularly giving back in our own community. I plan to contact a local food kitchen, and offer our services in serving meals to those less fortunate. I don’t want the power of my experience to end with the culmination of my trip.

People-to-People did an incredible job of creating a memorable trip to China for the members of my delegation. We started in Beijing where we saw the Great Wall and the Olympic Village. Then we traveled deep into the country, visiting Guiyang and its schools. Just when I thought I’d experienced “real China,” we journeyed to the village of Changiao and laughed with children from the simplest of homes. To culminate, we ventured to a place that time forgot – Tunpu Fortress – where we saw families who had preserved their way of life since the 16^th century.

Tunpu Fortress

I feel very blessed….for my children…for the privilege with which I work, live, and play…and for the many memories from my journey to understand a world so far away and yet so close.

Xia xia

谢谢你

Thank you

Saturday, December 6th, 2008

In the 16^th century, during the Ming dynasty, the emperor built a fortress to protect him from the local uprising against him. 300,000 soldiers from Central China were sent and stayed for decades, until the end of the Cultural Revolution. The government asked the soldiers to stay rather than return to their home cities. Their families followed them. These soldiers considered themselves better than the locals and used their own language and costumes. What resulted is the preservation of an ancient way of life that goes back to the Old Han. It was undiscovered for a long time, and when it was the government pledged to preserve it. The number of tourists who are able to visit is strictly regulated. As a result, I was able to visit a place that has been inhabited by the same people since the 16^th century and the Ming dynasty. I actually saw a 74-year-old woman in her home. 16 generations of her family have lived there.

The people who built the Tanpu Fortress in this area thought that the mountains reminded them of a dragon. The Buddhist temple was built in the perfect location to make up the head of the dragon. I said prayers and kneeled to give an offering at the temple. Originally, there were 600 hand-carved wooden gates throughout the fortress. Only 50 remain, because they were burned by the red guards during the cultural revolution.

Entering the fortress, little children were hand washing their clothing in the river. There was also a well called the Bright Well. These people believe that if you drink the water you will be smart and become a scholar. In the fortress itself, there were no right angles. T-junctions are considered unlucky. The walls are rounded and have secret holes through which arrows could be shot into the head or heart of attackers.

I bought a special hand-carved mask for my father from a small group of villagers. It will be a wonderful way for my family to treasure the 16 generations of families who have lived in the fortress.

Saturday December 6, 2008

We departed quite early for our drive to the Changiao village where the Miao people live. The views were breathtaking, filled with lots of small mountains like those that had enchanted me on the flight in. Our journey included an hour and a half long bus ride, and a thirty minute walk to reach a remote village at the foot of a mountain. The name of the village is Changiao, which translates to Long Wall village. In ancient China, it was a very nice place.  

 Changio Villagers

I have never experienced such a remote location, and don’t know if I will again. It was a life altering experience …..one that moved me deeply. Our busses had to park thirty minutes from the village, because there was not a street that could handle our large vehicles. Several hundred villagers from nearby villages greeted us. Performers lined the street, and those that were not part of the formal presentation were perched on nearby walls to watch the westerners enter their village. The buildings were very primitive, with single room dwellings. The people were very happy, and very poor. Their teeth were rotten. Many of the older residents were missing teeth. Their skin was taunt and weathered. Roosters were loose, as well as many dogs.  The visual images were very powerful. The people and their homes were extremely impoverished by our western standards. Yet there was such a simple beauty to the people, and the hills surrounding the village were picturesque. Entering their village and seeing their school and the sweet children that attended was a very emotional moment for me. I used the first of many tissues.

We gathered in front of the school with the people of the village. The foundation for the school itself was built by the farmers in 1964, and funds from People-to-People helped build the actual structure. 120 students in grade 1 – 6 attend, and are taught by six teachers. Some of the teachers were from this village, and all looked professional compared to the other citizens. It was another indication of the value placed on teachers in this country.

The villagers put on a series of performances for us. The first was a group of singing children led by a child conductor standing on a simple stool. Next, a drummer sounded his drums and gong, and the village opera began. The performers had covered faces, elaborate costumes by comparison, and donned masks at the top of their heads. Finally, a group of adult women performed in matching dresses. We cheered for them! They surprised us by asking us to return the favor and perform for them. We didn’t have a formal presentation, and so did the Hokey Pokey! It was playful and fun. After we performed the hokey pokey, the village children joined us. We grabbed their sweet little hands and taught them the moves. It was such a delightful experience! What a GREAT morning!

We did not go on a formal tour of the actual school, but a quick peek inside revealed that it was very barren even compared to the schools in Guiyang. The classrooms did have electric lights, but no heat. There were chalkboards and desks, but little else. The library only had 75-100 books, less than one for each of the children who attend.

 Walking away from the village with these precious children

I was one of the last delegates to leave the village. I couldn’t tear myself away. As a result, I had the pleasure of befriending a group of young children. I held hands with two fifteen year old girls to my right, and five-six young children to my left. I talked with one of the fifteen year olds about her life in the village as we walked.  She looked like she was no older than ten, and her teeth were already brown with stains. She plays ping-pong and basketball. She proudly told me that she is a very good ping-pong player and took first place in a tournament. Another delegate saw the ping-pong table, and shared that is was nothing more than a slab of concrete with a concrete net. She had one brother, and was very proud of the beautiful landscape surrounding her village. I told her about Kansas, and its lack of hills and mountains. I also told her about my children and their interests. They walked with me nearly the entire way to the bus, then veered off of the main street to return to their village and simple home. I immediately burst into tears, and it took me a long time to recover. What lovely children. What a touching moment. How many westerners are able to walk hand-in-hand with children in a location as remote as this?

LUNCH AT TRIUMPHAL RESTAURANT IN ASHUN, CHINA

For lunch, we drove to the nearby city of Anshun, a town of 4 million. It was clearly the nicest restaurant in town. We had a few moments after lunch to see what I would describe as a street fair. There were inflated dinosaurs and cotton candy.

Friday, December 05, 2008

Today I was able to get into schools! The primary purpose of this experience for me was to increase my personal understanding of education in China. I appreciated the opportunities to visit the Great Wall of China, see the Olympic Village, and otherwise experience the country and the culture. However, after this general understanding of the country, I was ready to visit schools.

I am the director of professional development for ePals. In that role, I empower teachers with technology tools that will enable them to communicate and collaborate online. The purpose of this trip was to strengthen the training that I am able to provide to our ePals users. It was my goal to increase my own personal understanding of education in different classrooms around the world.

EXPERIMENTAL HIGH SCHOOL #3

The first school that we were able to tour was a high school. Students at the high school begin their day by reciting political readings to help them pass tests. After these readings, students register for school for the day and go to the playground for morning exercises. Students are required to exercise. During the school day, students have four classes that are 45 minutes long with a 10-minute break between each. Between second and third classes, they have a 20-minute break for a whole school group exercise. Students also do eye exercises. Many of the students in China wear glasses. The Chinese believe that doing eye massages will improve circulation around their eyes.

After high school, most students have military training. They don’t have to become a soldier when they are finished, but they do have to spend 10 days on military training. This is for both boys and girls. Benefits of the military training include learning independence and operating as members of a group.

The high school building itself was a beautiful brick building, modeled after American universities. Surprisingly it was an open-air building. The school was several stories high, and the staircases to the upper floors were open to the elements. The center of the building had an open air courtyard. As a result, there is no central heat or air. Students were wearing uniforms and matching coats to stay warm during their studies.

The tour took us to many rooms, most of which were devoid of students. I found this quite interesting, as it was seeing the schoolchildren that I most anticipated. One of the rooms contained a display of science projects. I loved this, as it was a universal approach to teaching children. Like in America, students had assembled displays depicting a model and a written explanation of their science project. It was a permanent science fair, if you will. There was also an art appreciation room, where students could go to manipulate models. In another room, there were some models with student sketches of them. One science room contained many posters of American inventors, such as the Wright brothers, and Thomas Edison.

We were able to finally able to interact with students during a break between their first and second classes. They flocked to take pictures with us and visit with us. I had a delightful interaction with a small group of girls.

After our tours of the empty classrooms, we observed a Chinese class. It was fascinating. The teacher was on a stage at the front of the room, in an official looking coat. The students sat close to one another in rigid rows, in their matching uniforms. All of the students, 100% , were actively engaged in the lesson, which was completely teacher directed. I did not see one student daydreaming. The closest thing to being off task was one little girl who was twirling her pen while she watched and listened to the teacher. There was very little student involvement beyond choral recitation. The class started with the bell, which was a musical melody rather than a bell. Students stood and recited a greeting to their teacher in unison to commence the class. She responded to their group chant. The teacher played music as part of the lesson, and projected a PowerPoint to the music on the screen. The PowerPoint had lots of moving graphics with some text, but not the text-filled slides that I see so often in my experiences. The PowerPoint was not connected to the Internet and I couldn’t tell if it was available in the room. I believe that this music and PowerPoint was part of a story that matched their workbooks. Students followed along in their books, as she taught and wrote on the chalkboard. There was an unused SmartBoard in the classroom, pushed to the side of the class. The classroom had a speaker sound system.

The room itself was long and narrow, and curtain covered windows lined the top half of one wall. The floors were swept clean. This classroom was nicer than the other classrooms we toured in the building. A water cooler was in the back of the class. There was no graffiti on the desks. It was a very structured environment.

The teacher was very enthusiastic and engaging, and the students giggled in response to what she shared. One student stood to share what he’d written in his workbook, but it was predominately teacher directed. I respected her command of the class. Some of the students had a few trinkets or stuffed animals. I wonder if some of the stuffed animals were from home, as most of the students stay at dormitories from Monday – Friday.

There were 54 students in the class. The kids themselves were just kids. Some were shy. They giggled. Some wanted their pictures taken; others looked away. They wore Nike’s, Converse, and regular tennis shoes like those that we’d see in the states. They did wear uniforms and matching coats, but it looks like the students were wearing their own sweaters underneath. Three layers, at least, to stay warm in the very cold rooms.

Overall, the classroom represented conformity and structure. The teacher directed the lesson, and I didn’t see any independent thought. There was little student interaction, and no small group discussion.

Next, we visited the computer lab that held 65 computers. Students are restricted from using the computers or the Internet outside of their formal computer lab time.

Teachers are subject to an annual exam and must also maintain favorable reviews by the students. Teachers are SO much more respected than those in the United States, and entering the teaching profession is highly competitive. Teaching is one of the most honorable professions in China.

As we left the computer lab, all of the students in the building were on their 20 minute break between class two and three. They were in the courtyard doing group exercises. It reminded me of the opening ceremonies at the Olympic. The kids were all dressed alike, all going through the same motions in unison, in straight lines and rows.

After the exercises ended, I had one of my most memorable experiences of this trip! I was mobbed by a group of girls. They were part of the same pack that I’d seen on the earlier 10 minute break. One girl introduced herself to me. In English, her name is Roger. Roger touched me in a very special way. She told me how beautiful I was and how pleased she was to meet me. She asked if I liked her school and her culture. I was able to capture a short interview with her on my video camera. After we taped it, I played it back to the group of a dozen girls. They were all crowded around me, giggling with their hands to their faces, and amazed. Roger then invited me to visit her class. She answered questions about school in China, and then we exchanged addresses and phone numbers. I told the group that I’d been in China for 5 days and that I liked their culture. I asked about their school. Roger lives 17 kilometers from the school, and studies politics, math, civics. She is with the same set of teachers for two years. Their school doesn’t have lockers, and they keep their supplies in the classrooms. I told Roger and her friends that their school was very large and beautiful. She said that the number one school in the area was much larger. The break was nearly over, and I asked if I could please give her a hug. The sense of warmth, love, and admiration that washed over me was indescribable. She gave me the sweetest hug, while her little friends stood around smiling, and giggling. Then I received a flood of hugs from the girls. Some individual hugs, some group hugs… they were so genuinely pleased to have spent a few minutes with me talking about their school. I’ve never felt such instant love from a group of strangers in my life. The experience brought me to tears. I do hope that I can stay in touch with sweet Roger.

After the tours, we were able to visit with the head master of the school. She shared much information about the students and the building. The students in the school come from the Guizhou province. The teachers are very good, and she said that the “students are lively.” This is an experimental school because it is a relatively new boarding school funded in 2004. As a result, they are still in the experimental process of implementing the school. Only five teachers live here after 9 o’clock to monitor the students in the dormitories. The three core academic areas are Chinese, English literature, and math.  The Chinese incorporate the study of philosophy into politics. Chinese students don’t have summer camps.

Students must pass a middle school exam to enter high school. If their score is not high enough they have to choose a different school. Many of the students at this school come from poor families, and 50 of the students don’t have to pay to stay. Their summer break is from July – September; winter is from January – February. Our visit happened at the end of their semester.

Like the students, teachers must pass an exam. They are specialized in one teaching area. Social studies is separated to three separate content areas: politics, history, and philosophy. Parents have to have permission to visit their students during the week. On the weekends, students take a piece of paper home with them to show their parent that is like a progress report.

My delegation focused on the use of technology in education. As a result, we had several questions for the head master of the school. She shared that every classroom has a projector and a screen. Teachers have their own laptops. Computers are not for the students to use freely, only for their lessons. Students learn how to research to get information, but they only use it when they are in computer class. During computer class, students learn basic computer skills like how to use word, excel, and make music. They do not use computers in their content classes. There is no Internet access in the dormitories, because they believe that Internet surfing will negatively influence their studying. iPods or cell phones are prohibited. There is one telephone in each dorm which is shared by all of the children. This brought vivid flashbacks to my OWN college days, during which I stood in line to use the phone to call home. A network connects all the schools in Guiyang.

LUNCH

Today’s lunch included a unique treat. We were treated with a tray of extremely hot STONES. Yes, I said STONES. J Over the stones, raw egg was drizzled. The eggs cooked instantly by the heat of the stones. Then we took turns scraping egg from among the stones to eat. It was actually delicious. I think perhaps it compares to our American fajitas.

Yum

After lunch, I had a few moments to stroll through the alleyways nearby. The poverty was incredible. Small stores, a barbershop, and even a storefront dentist lined the alleyways.

GUIYANG PRIMARY SCHOOL

What’s it like to go to elementary school in China? I was able to witness a primary school. Like the high school, students wore uniforms and worked as a seamless member of a larger group. Again, the students were fully engaged and on task. Again, the teacher controlled the learning environment and used a projected PowerPoint to aid in her instruction. Like the high school, students waited for the bell to ring and the teacher to formally begin class. Students laid their heads on the desk and responded together to greet their teacher. Again, there was no student work hanging on the walls. However, in the math class that I visited, students worked in small table groups, often verbally participated in the lesson, and reported new learning.

As we arrived at the school, the children lined the walkway to greet us in uniform. They shouted Ni hao, and waved their greetings.

This classroom was unique. It was designed to be a lab where other teachers could observe classroom instruction. The front of the room was a classroom. The rear was set up with tables and chairs for peer educators to come and observe. Twice each semester, teachers are required to exchange ideas and watch other teachers in their same content areas. Every grade has 10 classrooms, so each teacher eventually observes nine other teachers. Each team also has team planning, called research teams, to discuss how to teacher each of their content areas. These planning sessions occur twice a week. Math, Chinese literature, and English are the core classes. Teachers specialize in one core class, and some also teach an additional class such as morality, art, or music. One English teacher, for example might teach 400 students in eight classes per week. The English class was a full immersion program. Children begin learning English as early as 3 years old.

The approach to the use of technology in the elementary school was similar to the approach at the high school. Students begin to have computer lessons in grade four in primary school. They use the Internet to gather information, and a site called QQ to talk to teachers if they don’t understand a concept. However, teachers and parents share the same concerns that if given home access, students will spend too much time on games and chat. During the day, teachers who do have technology in their classrooms use it to deliver instruction, and this only happens in special multimedia rooms.

The English teacher at their school asked if we have a course on Chinese language or culture, in the same way that they study English. One of the delegates in our group shared that we study ancient civilizations and world geography at starting in middle school. Another shared that students at his school learn about Chinese calligraphy in art. They were surprised that we would study their language as part of an art class.

The school is over 100 years old. It has 4,000 students, 73 classes, and 98% of the teachers have college certificates. Each class contains about 50 students, and the more advanced students help those who are having difficulty mastering concepts. It has received many national awards, and clearly, we were sent to observe the best of the best.

Wonderful surprises have filled every day on this trip. For me, however, today aligned the best with the purpose of my trek across the world. I was able to personally witness learning in action in two schools in China. I was able to interact with students and teachers. I was able to increase my own personal awareness of what it is like to learn on the other side of the world. 

Thursday, December 4^th, 2008

This morning I was the “loose noodle.” We’ve had a running joke provided by our group leader that we must function as a group. Functioning as a group is called “sticky rice.” We all stick together. The day we walked up the Great Wall, two of our delegates were “loose noodles.” They were LATE from the trek back down the wall, and our bus had to wait on them. Since that day, we’ve had a running joke about the loose noodles. This morning I had the pleasure of having a video conference with my two kiddos – Bobby and Gracie! It was the highlight of the day, and I feel grounded since I was able to talk to them and see their sweet faces. I taught them how to count to ten on one hand, and also a few terms in Chinese. BUT as a result, I was the “loose noodle,” and the bus almost left without me for the forum.

SINO-US EDUCATION GUIZHOU FORUM

What a welcome reception! The people of China literally “rolled out the red carpet” for our delegation! As we arrived at the Guizhou Normal University, we were greeted with a red carpet lined with Chinese performers dressed in full cultural costume. Approximately 100 performers lined the red carpet, as we walked by drummers, dancers, and singers. It was another “goose bump” moment. They made it clear that they were thankful to have us here. The opening ceremonies of the Sino-US Education Guizhou Forum was our equivalent of the opening ceremonies of the 2008 Olympics.

 Rolling Out the Red Carpet

AN OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE GLOBAL CONNECTIONS

The forum itself started with introductions of important education leaders in China. The sponsors of the forum are: The Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries and People to People Citizen Ambassador Programs. The organizers of the program are: Guizhou Provincial People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, Guizhou Normal University, Guizhou Provincial Education Society, China Star Professional Programs, All-China Youth Federation, and Guizhou.

The opening speakers thanked us for our American participation in the forum, and for traveling such a far distance to China and to Guiyang. They also thanked the sponsors and organizers of the forum. The goal for the forum is that it will serve as a platform for us to have broader exchangers between US and China. It is hoped that we will learn from each other and come up with solutions to common problems that we come across in teaching.

China has 13, 645 primary schools, and 4,550 teaching centers in Guizhou with 4,663,000 enrolled students and 192,000 full-time teachers.  There are approximately 2 million middle school students, and 485 high schools. China’s 9-year compulsory education program has been made universal, and by and large illiteracy among young and middle aged people has been basically eliminated. 94% of people can read and write.

China representatives outlined their plan and to improve education in China, as well as their achievements. The plan includes a strategy to improve literacy, provide strong higher education programs, and also strengthen vocational training.

Following presentations by Chinese leaders of the forum, we heard from several American experts in their respective fields. The goal was to provide an overview of education in America, to complement the overview provided by the Chinese.  

Forum presenters shared highlights of their Hope Project Schools. There are 1440 of these schools in China. They help students of financially challenged families, provide dormitories for teachers and students, and boast no less than 200 students in each school. Elementary schools have 200 students, middle schools have 600, and high schools have 2000 students in their facilities. This program has reached 165,000 students across the country, and the largest Hope Project School is in the Guizhou province.

TIME ON CAMPUS

Our delegation had the pleasure of dining at the campus canteen. It was a wonderful opportunity to experience first hand university life.  We grabbed our lunch trays and served ourselves cafeteria style. The tables were arranged in structured rows.

 After lunch we were able to take a short tour of the campus. I was surprised by how much I learned on the tour. Our group was led by a university student tour guide. Our guide, Layonda (her English name), did a wonderful job of allowing us to tour the campus library, including the historical documents facilities, computer labs, and the print book library.  The students were working in computer labs arranged in rows. There was no wireless connectivity, and students could only access library resources from the computer in the lab. Remote access to university resources was not available.

 Card Catalog

A LOOK AT TECHNOLOGY USE IN US SCHOOLS BY BOB MOORE, BLUE VALLEY SCHOOLS

Bob Moore offered a presentation on what is happening in the United States with respect to technology to a group of American and Chinese educator leaders in this field. Here are some highlights of Bob’s presentation.  In 2008 alone, approximately 15 billion will be spent on technology in schools. All but a very small amount is funded by states and local school districts. Some people are still not convinced of the value so funding is not guaranteed, and the current economic downturn threatens future spending.

Bob offered an overview of NCLB and its impact on American education, and the role of technology in the legislation. Technology is helping schools meet NCLB, enabling data driven decision-making, supporting online assessments, and technology-enabled interventions.

Technology skills are essential for a 21^st century education, and schools are embracing technology to prepare students for the future. Examples of this include: one laptop per child initiatives, intelligent classrooms, and web 2.0 tools for collaboration.

COMPUTER AND NETWORK IN EDUCATION, XU ZERONG, DEPUTY PROFESSOR, GNU

Xu Zerong provided a look at the use of technology to support learning. He addressed structured and unstructured learning, and the role of technology in supporting the two different types. He also discussed the fact that the use of technology makes information appear in a different form. I studied new literacies of the Internet during my doctoral coursework, and was able to connect to this important point. Technology in schools provides an opportunity to students to learn to access information differently. As teachers, we need to teach students how to tap into these new strategies. Xu Zerong used a variety of analogies as part of his presentation. One story pointed out the belief that technology is like the tool that fisherman use to trap fish.

INFORMAL DISCUSSION HIGHLIGHTS

Following the formal presentations by Bob Moore and Xu Zerong, the delegation had an information question and answer session with the assistance of an interpreter. Below are some highlights from that information discussion. Students in China at the University use the Internet to socialize and communicate. Chinese students use QQ, which is like our Yahoo to communicate between teachers and students and between students. For the eastern part of China, the Internet system is well organized, better than for the students in northwest China. Use of the Internet to socialize is very popular in China.

The most prominent consumer technology in the USA is the cell phone. It can be used to connect to the Internet, texting, email, camera, camcorder, etc. In US schools, in many cases, students are not allowed to use texting. Also, many schools purchase cameras and video cameras for students to use. What we are trying to understand in the US is how can we learn to use the technology that students already have in our schools. Additionally, some students can afford to purchase their own laptops, thus creating an interesting dilemma in some American districts.

I asked the Chinese delegates about the types of technology in their schools, since most of the conversations had only centered on computers and the Internet. I listed examples of American technologies, such as SmartBoards, sound amplification devices, iPods, projectors, etc. They responded that they had similar technologies, but also technologies of the past including the tape recorder and white board. They are currently researching SmartBoards.

What types of support are available for “Intelligent Classrooms?” Helen Hoch from Burlingame, Kansas responded that her district had site based technology support. 90% of her high schools have intelligent classrooms. Other delegates shared stories of support in their buildings and districts. Michael Ramirez from North Kansas City, Missouri shared that his district nurtures teacher experts with different tools. Teachers then jigsaw to teach one another how to use the tools.

What does distance learning look like in China? Distance learning has a long history in China starting in 1970’s. It is controlled by the government, and is delivered through the television and the Internet. In the 20^th century, the government granted rights to 68 Universities to offer distance learning. After evaluating distance learning, they found it was very hard to set a standard. As a result, no more universities can have these rights. Distance learning is only available for universities. 

Jon Bernstein addressed the issue of equal access to technology, and asked how prevalent computers and Internet access are in homes in China and how reliant students are on this home access. In China, most of the parents an afford technology in homes. But most parents don’t allow them to use technology at home because they believe this will influence their studies negatively. Most of the students in primary and middle school, who want to use technology, use it at school. 90% of students have access to technology.

One of the Chinese delegates asked about our use of web 2.0 tools. I answered, using ePals as an example. I shared that classrooms use our safe and protected social network for education to connect with other classrooms around the world. The example I shared was having a classroom in the United States connect with a classroom in China, and shared that China classrooms were already a part of our network. This enables students to develop cultural awareness and sensitivity. The Chinese delegate asked how students could connect. I answered that connections for students occur through their classroom teacher using formal web 2.0 tools such as our SchoolMail and SchoolBlog. Students also connect on our student forums, that are moderated by ePals team members who moderate them for appropriate content.

 For a peek at pictures from yesterday and today, go to share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=0AZNGjFw3cM2TtQ . I'm headed to an evening banquet, and will embed them in the blog posts later!

Wednesday December 3, 2008

JOURNEY TO SOUTHWEST CHINA

Today we flew from Beijing to Guiyang in the Guizhou province. It was a fascinating experience. We flew on Air China. The airplane was labeled with Chinese characters inside and out. The flight attendants spoke in Chinese to give their safety precautions speech to passengers. The in-flight meal service was Chinese food: pork with stir fried rice, cantaloupe, roll, dried beef, and a packed of spice paste. It was an interesting experience to be the “foreigner” on an airplane.

The view from the plane as we were landing was breathtaking. It was just like I’d pictured ancient China to look like as I read Wild Swans. Lots of small mountains with clusters of small homes in pockets at the base of the different mountains.

The airport in Guizhou province was drastically different from the one I’d experienced in Beijing. While Beijing’s airport was sleek, modern, and vast; Guizhou’s airport was small and much less advanced. We deplaned outdoors, and waited on shuttles to commute back to the airport. Upon entering the main building, baggage claim was right near us. They had an enormous banner greeting us as we entered the building.  The bathrooms were Chinese style and not as clean as the other’s I’d experienced in Beijing.

GUIYANG

Guiyang translates to Precious Sunshine. It is considered a small town, although it boasts a population of several million. It was a 30-minute drive from the airport to downtown Guiyang. The landscape is made up of 87% mountains and hills. In fact, 11 mountains and hills were removed to make space for the airport.  Like many cities in China, Guiyang is experiencing a recent surge in growth. The first expressway was built in 1991, and now there are highways everywhere. 15 years ago, the highest building was 5 stories high. Now the skyline is filled with skyscrapers. More tall buildings are being built all the time. 15 years ago, the finest hotel was only a 3 stars. Now Guiyang has 5 star hotels, including the Howard Johnsons where we are staying. Next year a Hilton will be built in Guiyang. There are many changes in all the cities of the country, including this small city in southwest China.

China’s provinces are the equivalent to our states. There are 31 provinces in China as compared to 50 United States. Guizhou is considered a small province. It is very rich in natural and mineral resources.

It is a very convenient city filled with 4,000 green taxi cars. Guiyang has many small cars, taxis, buses, minibuses, and motorcycles. It is inexpensive to get around. A cab fare around the city is $1.30 American dollars. It is very inexpensive to purchase a car, too. A Cherry car can be purchased for $4,500. Every day in this town, 15 new vehicles are purchased. While it is becoming inexpensive to purchase cars, it is still costly to run them. Gas here is the equivalent of $7 American dollars a gallon. The average income in Guiyang is $2500 per year. Fewer people speak English in Guiyang because they have had less exposure to westerners than those in Beijing.

THE PEOPLE’S SQUARE

We drove straight to the People’s Square from the airport. In the center of the People’s Square was an enormous statue of Chairman Mao.  The People’s Square was just that --  place in the city where people can spend time together and play. It was a delightful example of “adult recess;” a special glimpse into real life in China. It was much different from what we experienced in Beijing. The Chinese people at People’s Square were as fascinated by us as we were by them. News crews and crowds followed us around. Chinese people surrounded our bus when we arrived, and many Chinese followed us as we followed them around the square. The citizens were playing cards, checkers, singing, dancing, and mingling. One particularly touching moment for me was the sight of two elderly women holding hands. I’ve read about lotong’s before – life long female relationships that represent a special life bond between women. I also experienced a festive group watching a performance by two elderly women. They were dressed in costumes; one woman donned a hat and mustache, and her companion had two handkerchiefs that she used in her dance. The women used what I would describe as a karaoke machine to put on a playful musical performance for us and the other people at the square. It turned in to a “middle school dance,” however for me, in that the Americans gathered on one side of the circle while the Chinese stood on the other.  All of the spectators laughed and delighted in the performance. I also found that it was a special honor for them to have their babies photographed by us at the square. A few people even handed their babies to us to take pictures. Leaving the square, the people again lined the outside of our bus and waved goodbye as we drove away.

 We went to dinner at the Dongja Restaurant, and again enjoyed a variety of cultural foods served on turntables. After dinner, we visited the Jiaxiu Pavilion. The Jiaxiu Pavilion was a beautiful architectural display over a small waterway. The beautiful site was a moving way to end the day.

Expanding Vocabulary:

Nee Hao – Hello

Monday December 1, 2008

WHAT a day! Today was simply magical. I’ve visited one of the Seven Wonders of the World, and begun to experience life in China! And yes, I ate a scorpion!

China unveiled itself for the world at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing. Today I was able to catch a small piece of the magic of the Olympics.  I was able to see the Olympic Village, the Birds’ Nest, the Water Cube where Michael Phelps changed the face of swimming, as well as the buildings for Tennis, and Field Hockey.  The Birds Nest is quite simply a work of art! It is enormous, modern, and breathtaking. I was literally giddy with excitement at the opportunity to see this architectural phenomenon. Next to the Birds’ Nest is home to the building that we will always associate with Michael Phelps – the Water Cube! To know the magic that occurred in both buildings and be able to witness it was a “once in a lifetime” opportunity.

 Birds Nest

Water Cube

WOW!

We were able to witness the Olympic Village on our way through the city to the Friendship Store. I was able to capture images of the city of Beijing along the ride. It was an interesting glimpse of the vast urban scrawl, where budding skyscrapers dominated the landscape. Yet there were also farmers’ houses made of red brick along the drive.

When we arrived at the Friendship Store, we were able to tour a Cloisinee factory. Cloisinee is an artistic tradition handed down through generations. This artistic process involves a multitude of highly intricate steps and results in, quite simply, a work of art. The process begins with copper and a design that is traced on the pottery. Next thin leaf copper is soldered onto the pottery. Powdered enamel is then added, and the pottery is fired in the kiln to bake the powder. The process is finished with polishing.  My father has shared cultural works of art with me from his travels to Russia, and so I was able to make some interesting connections to this timeless process. You remember studying art history in school, right? Ancient art tells so much about a culture. Cloisinee represented the beauty, visual poetry, and symbolism of the Beijing culture for me.

Following the tour, we ate lunch at the Dayi Restaurant at the Friendship Store. Meals here are served on “lazy Susan’s.” The meal is a dining experience compared to our western approach. We were treated to cucumber, fried nuts, smart tomato, fried shelled shrimp, fried beef with black pepper, fried eggplant with pork, fried spring roll, mushroom soup, and fried rice.

After lunch we were given less than an hour to shop at the store. I cannot disclose the results of this brief shopping experience, but will say that my kids have some unique gifts to look forward to!

 Gifts for Bobby and Gracie

ONTO THE GREAT WALL

I’m getting goosebumps just writing about the Great Wall of China. I’m not sure that my words can adequately describe the visual and physical experience of climbing the wall. During the Ming Dynasty, a series of seven walls were connected to protect China, thus creating the Great Wall. It is approximately 6,000 km (4,000 miles) long. We were able to visit the top part of the wall. You’ll see from my pictures that there were many watch towers along the wall, where guards stood to keep watch for Monguels threatening China. You’ll also see from the images the hand made steps -- steps that were different shapes, heights, and sizes. One minute my feet were scampering up small little inclines and the next I was taking tall strides to climb to the next level. I’ll never look at a stairmaster quite the same!

 I Climbed the Great Wall of China

This wonder of the world is not something that you simply pause and take in visually. You experience it! The climb is strenuous. At each platform along the way, tourists could be found panting and catching their breath. Smiles and camaraderie were shared, as tourists decided if they were ready to continue their ascent. At each level, some climbers turned back, and fewer and fewer continued the journey.

The views along the climb were exhilarating. You could literally feel the history and the sum of the many lives that were dedicated to the erection of this structure. I was proud; I made it nearly to the top in our 2 hours at the wall. But coming down was almost more difficult. My legs were shaky from the height that I was able to travel, and so coming down on the irregular steps was a careful process. I made new friends with other members of the delegation as we celebrated and shared our accomplishment of climbing the wall. I also bought for myself at the top of the wall, a jade paperweight commemorating the event!

I felt exhilarated, exhausted, and elated simultaneously.  I traveled across the world to experience first hand a defining, symbolic structure for the Chinese. I did it! I climbed the Great Wall of China! 

I ATE THE SCORPION

Seriously, I did it! I must confess that initially I just posed with the scorpion and “pretended” to eat it for the purpose of capturing the moment on film. I couldn’t imagine actually putting a BUG in my mouth! BUT, alas, “when in Rome….” And anyway, everyone else at the table was doing it!

 I ate a Scorpion

So, yes, Gracie and Bobby, your MOM ATE A BUG! And, no, it doesn’t “taste like chicken,” but rather it was more like popcorn! It wasn’t quite like Fear Factor or the Immunity Challenges on Survivor, but it’s the closest that I’ll ever come!

The actual point of our dinner meal was for the delegation to experience Beijing Roast Duck, a Chinese tradition. We ate at the Qianmen Quanjude Roast Duck Restaurant, near Tianamen Square. Again, we were served on Lazy Susan’s.  The Scorpion was part of several appetizers. Other items on the menu included sauteed prawn ball in sichuan sauce, lemon chicken, beef fillet with vegetable, stir-fried fresh vegetables, duck soup made from the bone of the duck, and of course, Beijing Duck.  Carvers stood near our table to carve the meat, which was then eaten on flat pastries with sauce and scallions. It was actually quite delicious, but eating the scorpion dominated the meal!

TIANAMEN SQUARE

A few of us left the formal delegation following dinner, and scurried over to Tianamen Square before it closed for the day! I read Wild Swans: Three Daughters of China as preparation for the trip. (My Book Club joined me on the reading adventure… thanks girls! It had been recommended to me by David Greer, a dear friend who is living and working in Africa). The controversial book is outlawed in China, and provides a detailed glimpse into three generations of life in China. I share my reading journey with you because it gave me wonderful background knowledge for journeying to Tianamen Square, where Chairman Mao’s portrait still hangs in full glory. Tianamen Square was an important site in the cultural revolution of this country. I encourage you to read the book!

So in 24 hours, I experienced one of the seven wonders of the world, saw the site one of the most elaborate Olympic games to date,  witnessed an intricate artistic process handed down through generations, visited the site of the cultural revolution, and ate a bug.

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Funny Expressions:

I promise I’m not obsessed with restrooms, but I have taken pictures of several of the “Chinese style toilets” on this trip. Our guide shared a cute term to explain the differences between western and Chinese style toilets that I simply must share with you.

Western Style Restrooms are “5 Star Restrooms.” Chinese Style Restrooms are “One Star.”

These Chinese style toilets are a bit of a shock for a westerner like me who doesn’t even like to camp!

Expanding Vocabulary:

Xia xia – Thank You

Boo xia – You’re Welcome

Monday, December 01, 2008

CHINA – THE COUNTRY

This morning we heard a briefing on the history of China, and learned about some basic information about this highly populated corner of the world. 1.3 billion people live in China. 92% of the population is Han people, and 8% of the population is made up of 55 other ethnic groups.

Beijing is located in northern China. It is the political capital, educational center, and  economic powerhouse of the country. Beijing’s population is 15 million, the third highest city in the country. Shanghai has 17 million people living in its city. China has two important rivers. The first is the Yellow River. It flows into the yellow sea, and is the 5^th longest. The second is the Yangtze River, which means long river. The rivers are considered to be the cradle of ancient civilization. 1/3 of the population lives near the Yangtze.

Tomorrow, we will fly to Guiyang in southwest China, It is the capital city of the Guizhou province. There are 23 provinces in China: Inner Mongolia, Outer Mongolia (which is Independent), Tibet, and Xinjuiang (largest land area of the province). There are 4 municipalities under the jurisdiction of the China central government – Beijing, Shanghai, Tienjen, Chonguing (flying tigers based during the second world war). There are 2 special SAR: Hong Kong and Macau.

CHINESE HISTORY

A condensed look at Chinese history: China is one of four ancient civilizations in the world. In 551 B.C. Confucius was born. China was not unified – there were 7 states and they fought against one another for their own interests. Confucius was born in a very poor family but managed to get good education, and when he was 50 he became prime minister. He was forced to retire at age of 55. He left his disciples and traveled around competing states and advocating his teachings. He was a famous educator and philosopher. Confucisim is considered a philosophy, not a religion.  

First unified feudal dynasty in Chinese history was the Qin Dynasty – 221 B.C. Emperor Qin Shihaungdi initiated the construction of the great wall, which is the connection of separate walls into one great wall. During this time, he standardized currency, measurements, written language. He was a cruel emperor.

The Tang Dynasty occurred in 618. It was one of the most prosperous dynasties, and is referred to the golden years of China. During this time, the Silk Road reached its peak. China was the most powerful country in the world at the time.

The Ming Dynasty was another golden era of China. In a book, 1421- The Year the Chinese Discovered America , the author of the book argues that America was discovered by a Ming dynasty Chinese explorer 70 years before Columbus.

Qing Dynasty was the last dynasty. The Mancau Dynasty is what we call it in the west. Emperors were all Manchurians.  China was overthrown in 1911 by a revolution led by the equivalent of the Chinese George Washington. He overthrew the feudal dynasty of Qing, and established the first republic of China. He died in 1925.

1840 was the first Opium War between China and the UK. In 1921 Communist Party founded. The Great Leap Forward lasted until 1947. During this time, the first economic plan was developed in China. There was an increase in the speed of growth of socialism in China. The leader established special communes for collective labor. The whole population was mobilized to produce steel. It turned into an economic disaster.

From 1925 – 1949, China was ruled by the Nationalist Party. Between this period of time, China was occupied by the Japanese. There were 8 years of anti-Japanese war.

1949 the People’s Republic of China was founded by the Communist party by Chairman Mao. He declared this on the Tianemen Square.  October 1 is the National Day of China.

Between 1949 and 1978, there were a lot of movements and historical events happened in China. The Cultural Revolution from 1966 – 1976, was a campaign launched by Mao to eliminate his political rivals. It officially ended in 1969, but lasted until death of Chairman Mao and the arrest of the Gang of Four in 1976.

1978 Open- Up. There have been dramatic changes over the past 30 years – socially and economically. This year is the 30^th anniversary of this policy.

BASICS ABOUT CHINA

Chinese mandarin is the official language. There are over 100 unique forms of local dialects. Various religions are celebrated in China: Buddhism, Taoism, Christianity, Islam, and Catholicism.  There is one official time zone nationwide. Dining in China is round-table service, eaten with chopsticks. The currency is RMB,  yuan.

GUIYANG

We also received a briefing on Guizhou Province. It will be a three-hour flight from Beijing to Guiyang when we travel. We will tour a school in the Changjiao village which is 1 ½ hours by bus from the city.  As a result, we will be able to experience remote areas of the country, in addition to the large city of Beijing. Guiyang has 39.3123 million people living there. It is made up of 17 ethnic groups. 37.8% of the total population of the province is Miao. Guiyang is mountainous, and is a very poor area. The average annual income is $64 American dollars. The weather will be rainy while we are there.  There is no heating in the school.

We will present gifts to the school. During our briefing, we received several cultural tips on the types of gifts to avoid. We were told not to share a clock as it symbolizes the end of life. We are also not to give men “green hats” because it means that your wife is having an affair. Finally, we were advised not to give Chinese news papers and journals that were written in the United States as gifts.

The Chinese People’s Association for the Friendship with Foreign Countries has partnered with the People-to-People organization to establish this forum. Guiyang was selected because it is an underdeveloped region of China. Teachers there have fewer opportunities to meet Westerners and are eager to learn from us. This fourm creates a unique opportunity for the native teachers as well as those of us on the delegation.

Expanding Vocabulary:

Boo shi – no

Teqwela – too expensive

I made it!

Our 13-hour flight left San Francisco at 11 am on Sunday, November 30. While in air, we crossed the International Date line and landed in Beijing at 3:30 pm on Monday, December 01, 2008.  Whew! Talk about a LONG flight! Luckily I was able to sit on an isle seat, and most of the passengers were a part of this People-to-People Education Delegation.

 Kari Flies to Beijing

The airport in Beijing is modern, clean, and quite impressive. It just opened in May as part of the recent summer Olympics. I navigated my way through immigration, and showed the attendant my passport, visa, and documentation of arrival to the country. I met the other delegates at the baggage claim.

 Beijing Airport

Large busses shuttled us to the Swissotel, where Christmas is in full bloom! I was surprised to see holiday lights and Christmas trees greeting me in the hotel lobby. Dinner was hosted at the hotel, and I met new friends that were part of the conference.

Running on much adrenaline, a few of us toured the city briefly after dinner. It was interesting to see Beijing by night. I even had my first encounter with the Chinese “non-American” restroom facilities. Culture shock!

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