Lee | Lee Vartanian

Shanghai TV Tower

20. May 2012 · Write a comment · Categories: China, Travel

Yesterday we visited the Pudong district of Shanghai and went up the famous TV Tower of Shanghai. It’s Shanghai’s most recognizable modern monument (like Seattle’s Space Needle or St. Louis’ Gateway Arch). It’s the building to the left in this night pic:

They have a “sky walk.” This is me sky-walking:

On our way down, Joshua and I took the wrong elevator and had to wait in a very crammed (and sometimes aggressive) line. I felt something touching my arm. I turned around and it was a toddler and his mom. We exchanged what pleasantries we knew in each other’s language and it really served to lighten up the mood. I snapped a pic. It’s my favorite pic so far on this trip. Captures the moment beautifully:

Microteaching in Shanghai

20. May 2012 · Write a comment · Categories: China

Today was our first day at Shanghai Normal University. The campus is beautiful and looks a lot like the archetypal American college (big trees, lawns for students to lounge and throw frisbee on). After receiving a wonderful welcome by the Vice President of University and the Dean of International Programs, we were taken on a tour of the campus.

SNU has a large and reputable teacher education department. In fact, today we learned that, in 1948 this university began as a teacher’s college and expanded into offering other degrees. On our walk we visited the :

We walked into the modern 5 story building and walked through a dark hallway on the top floor. We passed one class that was in session but did not go in. I was hoping we could meet with someone from the department for a quick chat. Fortunately, we found Mr. Shu Yi Lu, Director of the Education College Experimentation Center, in one of their microteaching classrooms:

He demonstrated a “smart” microteaching classroom. Microteaching is a strategy, developed by Dwight Allen (who happened to be my doctoral mentor and dissertation chair) over 40 years ago, where teachers videotape a short lesson (in front of students or their peers), watch and reflect on the video, and receive feedback from their teaching from their peers and/or their instructor.

Mr. Lu demonstrated the software, developed at SNU, that teacher educators use for the microteaching sessions.

The top 2 panels above are the video of the student teaching (upper Left) as well as a video of the class (upper right). The space below is reserved for a powerpoint.

Mr. Lu said that all of the microteaching videos are available for any student at the university to observe and comment on. I was surprised by this because we treat these types of things in such a confidential manner in our country. Many of my students are embarrassed by how they talk or would be uncomfortable having a “public” videotaped lesson that was not one of their best (some of my students are still too shy to answer a question in class!).

However, I was attracted to the idea of making these videos open for everyone to see. It sort of sends the message of “So what? Why do we need to be ashamed or prohibitively private with how we grow as teachers?” We all have space to grow and improve.

In its highest light, teaching is a profession of continual growth, exploration, and enhancement. In order to improve, we must be open to criticism and insight from all sides. This takes courage and a willingness to be open to discomfort.

I’m excited to be bringing back new ideas to my own courses. This was the second experience this week where I realized I need to add more opportunities for my students to demonstrate their teaching in front of others and be open to the possibility of open and honest critique. Thank you China!

Seeing oneself on video is a humbling experience but also a powerful and enlightening one.

Classroom Observation

16. May 2012 · Write a comment · Categories: China

This morning we attended Sanda University‘s Vice President and Dean of the School of Business, Dr. Jai’s Introduction to Business class. Instead of relying solely on content knowledge through textbooks, quizzes, and tests, Dr. Jai takes a project-based approach to her class. Her students are expected to apply their knowledge through group projects that relate to business scenarios. For today’s lesson, two student groups presented their designs of a startup company. Each group presented entirely in English (which alone was impressive). After their presentations, students asked questions about their projects.

I was particularly struck by the prevalence of constructive criticism. In many of our classes in the U.S., teachers and professors tend to avoid content errors and focus on the areas that the students excelled in. To many of us, criticism has a negative connotation. In this class, both the students and professors freely used criticism. Yet, the criticism was always appropriate, just, and professionally delivered.

I thought about my own classes and how I tend to overaccentuate the positive and avoid criticism of student work in public. In seeing it performed professionally and educationally in this classroom, it challenged my perspective. I realized that I sometimes assume my students are too fragile or sensitive to receive criticism in front of others. Or, perhaps I don’t feel like I can successfully deliver criticism in a way that won’t be misconstrued as me “picking on them.”

I talked to Dr. Jai about this after class and she said, “It (criticism) doesn’t mean that they’re not good. It means that they can do better.” Yes they can.

A student presents in Dr. Jai’s Introduction to business class. Dr. Jai is standing to the left.

Future Bearcats

16. May 2012 · Write a comment · Categories: China

Introducing 3 future Bearcats (from Sanda University in Shanghai) who will be joining us in the fall!

Sophie, Claire, & Lily (between Lee and Boyoung)

East Coast trip

16. May 2012 · Write a comment · Categories: Korea

On Friday, we travelled for an hour and a half through misty mountains to reach the east coast of South Korea. We visited the Naksan Buddhist Temple

Next, we drove to Mt. Sorak:

We took the tram up the mountain. Joshua is talking too Ms. Sun Young, an English teacher at Seong Su High School:

When we got off the tram, I heard Buddhist chanting echoing down the mountain. I saw a path and followed it down the steep, winding steps until I found a temple situated between the cliffs. No monk was chanting. It was just a recording. Here’s the temple:

Country Cabin

14. May 2012 · Write a comment · Categories: Korea

For the four days we spent in Chuncheon, our host Mike’s mother made us a special breakfast each morning. Both of Mike’s parents are retired teachers. On Sunday, Mike took us to their “mountain cabin.” After retirement, his parents bought a piece of land between two hills and a mountain stream, about 20 minutes outside of Chuncheon, They built an amazing retreat and garden. The photo below is of their house, from the stream:

The boulders form steps so that you can walk down to the water. Mike said that, in the summers, the water gets a little bit higher so that his nieces and nephews can swim. He also said that he and his friends will sometimes lay pallets down underneath the tree (visible behind me and Ivy in the pic below) and sleep by the stream at night:

They have a lovely and impressive garden filled with herbs, lettuce, garlic, and much more.

Mike’s mother ferments a number of sauces in these containers:

They also have a dog. I thought the roof was interesting, in that it mimics the ancient roof design typical of historic buildings in this area:

Goodbyes

14. May 2012 · Write a comment · Categories: Korea

Boyoung and I have been really impressed by our students on this trip. They represent our university well. At each school we have visited, our students have presented different aspects of university life at Lander to eager groups of students interested in studying at Lander University. Their demeanor is light and jovial, and, even though they may be tired, they bring positive energy to their interactions with our wonderful hosts. I’m proud to be travelling with them.

I think our students are natural at forming connections with students in the schools we are visiting. At each stop along the way, we have been matched with “buddy” students who take us around to different places. It’s hard not to form immediate and strong bonds with these students that will hopefully continue through facebook, email, future visits, or, fingers crossed, them coming to Lander. I think the pic below sums up the feeling when we must inevitably leave our buddies and move to the next location:

Seong Su Institute

14. May 2012 · Write a comment · Categories: Other

From Thursday, May 10 through Sunday, May 13, we have been hosted by the Seong Su Institute (high school) in Chuncheon. Chuncheon is a charming city, situated between a long procession of low mountains and a river.

Getting off the bus, we were greeted by “Mike” Osik Kong, who organized our delegation’s stay and was the host person for Ivy and myself. “Mike” took us to the school, where we met with their teachers and administrators. The school is split into a girls school and boys school, with about 600 students in each one. There are 3 years in high school (10-12th grade, equivolently).

At 6:30, we moved to a local restaurant that specializes in a type of barbecue chicken that is famous in this part of Korea. We were told that they were taking us to a “humble” restaurant, which I was excited about. Some of the best restaurants are a little rough on the outside but have amazing food that only the locals know about. The food and atmosphere were perfect. Teachers, administrators, and some parents were in attendance for this informal dinner. Below, Mike, our host, is welcoming everyone to the dinner:

I sat with Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Dr. Kim Chung Ho. Dr. Kim is a professor at the University of Pusan and went to graduate school in California. You can tell that this school is near and dear to his heart. He drove 5 hours to meet us for this weekend. He told me that his father started this school 50 years ago. In the late sixties, a US Pease Corps volunteer worked at the school. He and Dr. Kim became close friends. In fact, this volunteer was instrumental in helping Chairman Kim enter graduate school in the US. It was fascinating to hear about how the US has helped, in some way, to improve the educational opportunities of students in this community. Chairman Kim, a product of international education, wants the students of Seong Su to avail themselves of the opportunities of studying in the US (including Lander). One of the purposes of our visit is to establish a relationship between Lander and this high school. Some of the high school students are considering coming to Lander for their undergraduate degree.

Saturday, May 12

This morning was a bit more official. We had a meeting where interested students and parents attended a presentation by our students and myself.

I was particularly impressed with our students’ presentations and the attentiveness of the students from Seong Su.

After our presentation, we went to visit scenic Nami Island. We were paired with “buddies” from the girl’s school. My buddies were Ellen and Su. We walked around Nami Island for a couple of hours. I asked Ellen and Su a lot of questions about their experience as students in Korea. I had heard that Korean students spend most of their time at school, but it never quite seemed believable until I talked to Ellen and Su. Their schedule:

Monday through Friday, they go to school from 8:00 in the morning until 9:00 at night. They have about an hour for lunch. Unfortunately, they are not done for the day. Many of them go to tutoring until 11:00 at night. Then there’s the weekend: they go to school from 8 – 2:00 on Saturday. On Sunday, no one is supposed to go to school. However, many students end up going to school for 4-5 hours of study hall. That’s more than 80 hours of studying per week!

Templestay

13. May 2012 · Write a comment · Categories: Other

On Wednesday, May 9th, we arrived at the Jeondeungsa Buddhist Temple on Gangwhado Island for a “templestay” (one word). The monastery is situated in the calm, scenic hills of Mount Jeongjoksan. As soon as we arrived, we were given monks’ clothes to wear for the duration of the stay (they had to get special pants for me) and shown our rooms for the night.

For the evening, a monk instructed us in some of the procedures for prayer and meditation in the temple. We also practiced for our Baru breakfast ritual in the morning. As the sun was setting, we all filed into the main temple (about 20′ x 20′) and “prayed” with the 10 monks at the monestary as they chanted in unison. I was not expecting such a moving and intimate experience. I did not know that all of the monks would be there and allow us to be with them during their dusk prayer time.

After the chanting, our guide monk taught us about how to meditate. After doing a variety of stretches, some of us got into the lotus position (not possible for me) and had quiet meditation for about 45 minutes. The monk advised us to find and focus on our “true selves” and not to close our eyes but to focus just a few meters in front of you. I was a little doubtful that I would be able to concentrate on much during this time, but I found that it was very beneficial to me. I’m not sure that I “found myself” but in a way, I did. I won’t go into detail as to what I thought and contemplated, but I did connect with something internal that helped me to refocus myself on how to be an effective leader on this trip.

After meditating, we had about 30 minutes to walk around the temple grounds. The lanterns were lit up and I got some nice photos.

We were required to go to bed at 9:30 because we would be getting up at 4:00 the next morning. At 4:30, we returned to the main temple and participated in the same prayer chanting we witnessed the night before. After that, we went to another temple to complete 108 prostrations. We were all a bit worried about completing these prostrations, because, for some of us, it is very uncomfortable. Holding your hands together in prayer, you go down to your knees (on a pillow, thankfully), place both hands on the floor (right hand first), place your head to the ground, turn your hands up in supplication, raise your head, lift up your hands into the prayer position (left hand first), then stand up (holding your hands together, if possible). It’s quite a workout on both your thighs and ankles. For a newcomer, 3 is a bit difficult. 108 is a workout.

Throughout each of our prostrations, a narrator spoke a supplication of some sort. I particularly connected with some of the supplications dealing with the alleviation of suffering (a central theme in Buddhism).

After our prostrations, we had a breakfast in the Baru tradition. This breakfast has formal procedures (that we were taught the night before) and must be completed in complete silence (you must try to not even make noises with your utensils). You also must absolutely eat everything you take. In fact, they give you water that you rinse out each of your 4 bowls with and you then drink that water. Buddhist monks believe in appreciating gifts from nature, God, etc. and feel it disrespectful and inappropriate to waste anything.

Our monk told us that there are 3 causes for suffering int he world: desire, anger, and ignorance. He also said that monks only take enough food for what their body needs for sustenance. Eating for pleasure (i.e. desire) is not their aim. During my stay at the monastery, I wondered if this was possible, because the food (all vegetarian) was some of the best I’ve had in Korea, so far.

After breakfast, we went on a walk to the top of the mountain. The temple is on an important site for the Joseon Dynasty (who ruled Korea from 1392-1897). The emperor used this site for his palace to avoid the invading Mongols. He was unsuccessful.

After our hike, we had a wonderful farewell tea ceremony with our monk. He gave us each a pearl-like bracelet and thanked us for coming. He couldn’t have been any more welcoming, patient, and sincere.

On to our next destination, Chuncheon.

University of Incheon

13. May 2012 · Write a comment · Categories: Other

For the first 10 days of the trip have been spent in the modern city of Incheon. We have been hosted by the University of Incheon–a top notch global university with around 15,000 students. The entire campus moved from the old part of the city to a new location and was completed less than 3 years ago. It’s an amazing place–completely modern, new, and impressive. You can sort of get a glimpse of it from this pic, taken from their main administrative building:

While in Incheon, I find myself particularly impressed by the following things:

1) New Architecture of Incheon – Most of this city, filled with several million people, literally rose from the sea within the past 10 years.

Much of the land where these skyscrapers exist, are situated on “reclaimed land” (i.e. former ocean bog that has been filled in). The scale of development is staggering. Everywhere you look, there are brand-new beautiful skyscrapers, parks, bike lanes, flowers. Everything is new, including the trees (which need to be held up by tripods to keep them upright):

I get the picture that a handful of architects had a field day with this city and the results are striking. I look forward to seeing what this place looks like in the next 5 years. Most of what you see in the model below what has been built in the last 10 years (or will be built within the next 5 years):

2) Food – This is my first experience with authentic Asian cuisine. Every meal feels like a feast (for the eyes and tastebuds but without the unpleasant overstuffing I all too often experience in the US).

3) Karaoke – For our final night in Incheon, our buddy students from the University of Incheon took us out for karaoke.

In Asia, karaoke is sung in rooms that you rent out, instead of in open bars, like we do back home. We rented a big room and had a pretty amazing time. Everyone “brought it.” It was great seeing different sides of our students and delegation members come out when the sang. Our Korean friends were amazing:

Rachael totally brought it on this one!

4) Hospitality – I feel overwhelmed with how well we have been treated. Mr. Choi, Mrs. Sung, and Ms. Chung Yun, and Dean Kim from the Office of International Programs have been wonderful hosts. They are treating us with so much care and kindness. We look forward to repaying the favor when their delegation of students come to Lander this Summer!