Session 1A: Orientation 7-28-08

[Anonymous]

Another twist would be to have the students go to Wal-Mart. I was listening to talk radio a few months ago and the host was interviewing an economist who was talking about China's rising economy and how the U.S. supports their economy. He stated that approximately 80% (if not more) of Wal-Mart's products are made in China. Without telling the students this, you could have the students go to Wal-Mart to inquire about where their products are made... This could be a great opener to the unit!

[Anonymous]

for some "ignorance is bliss." many choose to "not know." many choose to "not question." many are content with the world around them, including their own, being created for them. this oddly brings to mind "daoism."

[Anonymous]

I was most interested in the PPT about Korea. I know (knew?) very little about these two countries. I could identify them on a map, but could tell you little else. I had no idea the level of poverty that exists in North Korea, and the image of the night photograph of East Asia is still vivid in my mind. Completely dark, save the capital city! Also, the photographs of the crowded train station reminded me of my recent trip to NYC and my journeys on the subway. I did not feel entirely comfortable, but it is difficult to imagine living that way always.

[Anonymous]

Along the same line as the Wal-Mart activity, I have used a similar opener. Have students get into pairs and together they go through all of their clothes, belongings, etc. and figure out where all of their stuff is from. After they do that they share out - you will pretty much end up with a huge list of countries, many (or most) of which are Asian countries. This activity shows the same idea - interconnectedness with Asia.

[Anonymous]

ritow first posting I was wondering from where you pulled your statistics because they seem inaccurate to me. Maybe it's reporting the East Asian trade and showing that of that 50% is done with China. Regardless, the importance of our relationship with East Asia must be recognized, respected, and never down graded.

[Anonymous]

Yes, the world is an interconnected place and we have invisible threads connecting us. What I found interesting was the side-stepping of the whole issue of Tibet. Is Tibet really part of China? So, where is the China Institute on this issue? Could the take over of Tibet occur now, in this age of instant information? If the images of the invasion were instantly available, how would we respond now? It's not the 1950's and I wonder what the U.S.'s response would be to such an invasion were it to occur now and if we were asked to help. We were asked to help. Would we, like Adams in 1785 advised, push commerce "to the Indies [China and Asia]as fast and as far as it will go." Are we looking the other way because we must? Because the chains that bind us in commerce are so heavy and because we have borrowed so heavily from China? Or did that policy just continue what began as a convenient isolationism? What can the Chinese people know about this if what they know is restricted by a deal Yahoo made in China, promising to censor anything unflattering about this issue? If the U.S. had been far thinking enough, known how much raw material and perhaps oil is in Tibet, we might have been happy to help resist the "liberation from imperialists" lead by the Chinese communists

[Anonymous]

I was also extremely surprised by our apparent inferior internet speed. Are there pockets of comparable internet in the U.S., or are we entirely behind South Korea? So...even Bill Gates' computer is slower than some guy in S. Korea? Really?![Edit by="clawson on Jul 29, 11:29:27 AM"][/Edit]

[Anonymous]

When talking about American students having a lack of geography knowledge I think it is important to view the various factors that have created this situation. It is complex and the blame goes to various people in society. For example, in my geography class we start the year with this discuss. Part of the reason I put out there for America's lack of knowledge of geography is the use of the Mercator Map Projection over the Peter's Projection in the American classroom. Students' mind focuses on the West being the center of the world, and larger, hence more important that the rest of the world. This deemphasizes the importance of learning about the world.

I think another thing to think about is the fact that America is the dominant country (economically and militarily at least) of the world. Our need or desire to learn about the location, happens, etc. of other countries is less on our minds that on the mind's of people in the world who have economic motives that make our business their business.

I wonder though that since America, especially California, is so diverse and full of so many cultures and ethnic groups our youth, through their personal interactions, might actually have a better understanding of other cultures that many other kids in the world; who live among a more homogeneous population. We might have a harder time assessing that in our classrooms though.

Going forward, when another country replaces us as the leader in the world, it will be interesting to see if they take on the same characteristics of general ignorance to geography that we do.

[Anonymous]

Here are some of my thoughts. As China becomes more of a global power, business and social interactions will increase between our two nations. With the upcoming Olympics, interest in Asia has soared within our general population. Family discussions, summer school classes, and conversations amongst friends now include information and questions about China. The changes happening in China will make them a powerful player internationally in the years to come. Our students need to be educated and equipped to work with the Chinese and / or compete with them for their working lifetime. As teachers, we can encourage our students to learn and appreciate the Asian cultures and plan for success in the future. We begin this learning in the elementary school classrooms with the "safe environment" to learn new ideas and cultures through classroom discussion, encouraging multicultural activities and learning all year long instead of just during a multicultural month, reading libraries showcasing different cultures, guest speakers, and starting this past year some school districts offered free Mandarin lessons in the after school programs. The programs were sectioned at 2-3rd grade and 4-6th grade. The bi-weekly sessions included reading, vocabulary, simple sentences, art, music, and culture. The classes were taught by native Chinese teachers, funded by a Chinese organization. Similar lessons for children and adults were offered by some cities with a fee attached. I thought (you) secondary teachers may find this interesting.

[Anonymous]

I have met amazing students from various Asian countries with beautiful spirits. Understanding their culture and core beliefs would have helped me to be a better teacher to them. Understanding that country and culture are critical to one's identity, I use my students' background throughout my units. This past year I was unable to highlight/approach the East Asian culture because I was not knowledgeable enough to do it justice. I am here to gain that authority. In only a few hours I am miles away from where I started.[Edit by="lculp on Jul 31, 7:27:21 AM"][/Edit]

[Anonymous]

Heartfelt thanks to the Freeman Foundation and others for the opportunity to be here.

The morning session reminded me of taking my daughter to the horror/slasher flicks so she could hide her head and ask, "Is it over yet?" I am reminded that in many ways economics is a zero sum game. In the last eight years America has lost over three million manufacturing jobs, many of which have gone to East Asia. As the standards of living and the middle class expand in Asia, they have put more pressure on the American middle class which is slowly shrinking, has stagnant wages, and needs two wage earners per family to maintain a lifestyle that one could sustain three to four decades ago with one.

The strain of moving billion plus populations to a "better" lifestyle is being felt across the planet from low-grade Bolivian copper mountains to Indonesioan forests. No wonder we live in an age rife with talk of peak oil or any othe resource one cares to name. It seems there is a new mercantilist system at work and America is the classic colony that provides natural resources and a market for goods manufactured elsewhere. Corporate America may finally achieve its goal of wiping out the social contract of the Depression years and return to the Gilded Age through globalization.

Couple increased industrialization with models based on the 1800's, destruction of the commons, and the neighbors be damned, and one has a recipe for disaster. I was astouded to hear of the amount of particulates laced with mercury from the ever increasing number of Chinese coal-fired electric generating plants that settle on the western coast of North America.

As soon as I can calculate the new northern limit of citrus production, I'm heading out. If you're still here, don't bother to turn out the lights when you leave.

[Anonymous]

First, I really apprecciate that Freeman Foundation, Unitred States Department of Education (National Consortium for Teaching about Asia), USC-China Institute to give me (us) this wonderful opportunity.

In this session, I learned new and interested things. For example, 200 million Chinese people use internet (this is more than any other countires.) I knew that many Japanese people use cell phone for internet, games, and movies (especially Anime for young generation). I learned that Korea has the highest level of internet connections (this is new to me). Another interest examples were: comparison of Vincent Van Gogh and Tamagochi, Pikachu. Also comparison of 2 internationally historical famouse people on money: Fukuzawa Yukichi and Ben Franklin.

I teach language, and teaching the culture is the important component: including historical back grounds, philosophy, literature, and arts. I will use the lessons I learned today to motivate my students.

I am looking forward to learning more!

[Anonymous]

response to ashapiro posting: Elementary students love to look at the labels on clothes and other items to see where they are manufactured ( a US labeling requirement). To mix it up, students can draw from a pot to go home and check labels on clothes and other items and you can offer bonus points if they bring in something they think is from a place the other students won't know about. They bring it in in a brown bag and describe the item, having the classmates first quess what it it, reveal it, show it on the map, then discuss why that item was manufactured there. An interesting note: in China, most of the items you buy , as a tourist, do not say "made in China" in it or on it. I find that quite ironic. Also, 24 Hour Fitness is a sponsor of the Olympic games this year and they have 2 styles of t-shirts for men and 2 for women available to purchase in the health clubs, and guess what..... on the shirt I bought it says"Beijing 2008" with ring logo on the front of the tag andon the underside of the tag is " Bejing, 2008, Official Licensed Product for the U.S. Market only". The laundry instruction tag under it says "made in Nicaraugua". This kind of stuff fascinates me. You would think the Chinese contract for the Olympics would have been all over that.

[Anonymous]

my original post for the topic Why Teach About Asia, 7-28-08 am:
Since China has opened up and more and more Americans are coming into contact wth the Chinese--through daily encounters such as the quality of goods purchased to more global implications ie. transfer of jobs. With China becoming more powerful economically while becoming more socially acceptible worldwide, Americans need to increase their knowledge and understanding of the Chinese (both people and their way of life). To gain a better understanding of what makes China "tick" enables us to understand why they are as they aare and who they got go be where they are today in the scheme of global importance. As our students graduate in the upcoming years, they'll be more successful if they can work with cultures different from their own, as well as their own. The world is becoming a more gloval marketplace and workplace each year. Our students ( and ourselves) can survive the competitive global workplace best if they/we understand the history as well as present nature of the Chinese. Knowledge and understanding promotes acceptance. Acceptance is a first step of a successful working relationship between the two top global powers.

[Anonymous]

Great eye opening presentation. I knew the world was headed for a Chinesization of just about everything so I guess we better get with it, and understand what is going on. The statistics are amazing. The interconnectedness with east asia is something my students really need to know about. They live in such a secluded part of California that their exposure to Asian culture is limited. The idea that just about everything we wear is from China will probably be news to them. I personally have always been aware of the importance of trade with China since my family has been involved in trade with Hong Hong. My plan is to pass on this important information to my students.

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