Obviously, all articles should be taken with a grain of salt and we should understand that each student, regardless of country of origin, is capable of breaking away from the norm. However, it is interesting to read an article that talks about the drawbacks of being one of the best testing nations.
High Test Scores, but China Education Flawed
There are many videos cycling through this that are interesting to watch. Most poignant is watching 3rd graders learn how to massage pressure points to relieve stress!
I have a mixed feeling after I watched the video you posted. It's interesting to see how American media portrait China's education system. I think no one should point finger on other countries education system, norms, tradition, values, cultures without an authentic understand of their history, culture, economy, and so on so forth. Nor evaluate it without considerate the certain context. Most of the schools in China have a block of time for the children to do eye care movement (I've done the same 40 years ago) to protect their eyes and obviously, was misunderstood by Diane Sawyer. It has been a healthy tradition in China's schools, especially in secondary schools. I'd have a lot to say about this video. Since I came to the United States, I felt that I have the Paramount Duty to bring understandings, justice, and true and authentic values to the American people, especially educators. Americans are good at sports and have an athlete’s culture and Chinese are good and Study. Between ball and book, no one should judge good and bad right and wrong. Narrow mind does not do the students service. We’ve been talk about diversity, how about, together, we let the world be more diverse and focus on our connections and remember that all children deserve a good education whether they athletes or scientists, we are family. The children in the video are not stifled at all. They are conversing with Diane Sawyer confidently.
ReplyDeleteI've done the comment so quickly and realize that I left out some sentences. I meant, the Paramount Duty to bring understandings, justice, and true and authentic values of Chinese education system to the American people, especially educators to promote understanding and collaboration between China and the U.S.
ReplyDeleteWen,
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for responding! When I was watching this video I kept thinking, I wish I had Wen sitting here and giving me a different perspective! I too realized that Diane Sawyer had misinterpreted the situation where the students were learning pressure points and my understanding was that it was a way of bringing ancient medicine into the students lives that they might not know about otherwise, a way of teaching instead of simply using it to relieve headaches. Is this an accurate understanding?
I agree that there is no good or bad system, just different. You are right that the children are energetic and curious, not stifled. I posted this video to illustrate some differences between the systems and I am glad you are here to help round out any gaps in the video!
Thank you. I am glad that the video provides the opportunity for us to discuss the different educational systems and to bridge the gaps between two cultures.
ReplyDeleteThe eye care movement is a healthy Chinese school tradition, a typical school routine to ensure the student's physical well-being. It is just like Chinese schools' other daily routines such as, recess and lunch time, etc. It is a healthy habit that the Chinese educators strive to promote among children. (Like exercise, we exercise body, mind, and eyes, and...) The propose of doing that is to help the children protect their eyes and learn all the pressure points (Chinese Medicine, one of the most valuable national treasure and tradition, and well accepted by the western) from a young age for a lifelong healthy habit.
I understand the stresses and pressures that the societies and cultures have placed upon the children in many countries around the world. These issues worthy of serious consideration and drive my vocation. I understand from my first hand experiences that Chinese children are carrying more burdens than others did, because of the large population, tradition, and educational values and so on.
I am very interested in discussing these issues with you and I think this will further our understanding about both United States and China's education system. Thank you so much for your open-minded insights and understandings. Keep in touch! Have a nice weekend!