A Tranquil Web Pavillion 静思亭

改换

2007-04-03T21:01:00.000-07:00

用这个博客已有一些时日。但一直感到有些不方便。第一，中文字符的显示问题。经常有学生告诉我看不到我的博客，只有改换解码方式才能看到。第二，大陆封锁了整个blogspot.com。我们的博客在大陆都看不到。很失望。因而我改用另一个博客网 http://teachchinese.blog.edu.cn 同时我也在尝试使用播客，见http://podlesp.podbean.com 及其它几个博客地址。

Hongkong

2006-09-10T19:00:00.000-07:00

Hongkong is still a pearl. I enjoyed very much the night scene at Victory Harbor. Here is the photo I took.

"李敖说如果我是日本人，我也会去参拜靖国神社! "

2006-08-20T18:09:00.000-07:00

在网上看到这篇文章，有感。转载在此。

李敖说如果我是日本人，我也会去参拜靖国神社!
　如果我是日本人，我也会去参拜靖国神社！
　　而我是中国人！
　　做为中国人，今天我想起在抗日战场和朝鲜战场上用血肉之躯抵抗了小日本和美帝机枪大炮的几千万中国先辈……我欲哭无泪，我想跪下叩一万个响头……却找不到他们的牌位！　　
　　日本人为什么要参拜靖国神社？因为对于大和民族来说，里面所供奉的：都是他们民族的英雄呀！
　　为了国家民族的荣誉，日本军人可以驾机冲向美国军舰，同归于尽！战败时可以集体剖腹！剖腹！
　　你知道怎样剖腹吗？把刀插进腹部往胸部用力一剖，再横着用力一刀！
　　淋漓尽致！
　　为了祖国的尊严，你们谁敢！谁愿？！不敢就没有资格说日本人！
　　张自忠，是谁？
　　邱少云，还记得吗？
　　朝鲜战场上的两位特级战斗英雄是谁？
　　回答的出来吗？你知道他们的事迹吗？你知道他们是怎样死的吗？今天我们已经把他们遗忘了差不多了吧？
　　我们已经蜕变了，我们已经没有了精神，我们不配做中国人，我们的时代罕有英雄，罕有男子汉！我们丢了祖宗的脸，中国历史上从来没有一个时代象今天一样窝囊！
　　当然这指的不是我们的政府，而是我们的这一代人。
　　我们的政府懂得强国之道，懂得什么叫忍辱负重，后发制人，我们的政府建立了丰功伟绩。
　　而我们的青年，除了象狗一样叫几声，骂几声，无所作为。
　　我们的祖先在历史上领先了几千年，多少英雄豪杰，多少王朝强盛之极天下之大，唯我独尊，侠客英雄，君子大家层出不穷，他们能够舍生取义，光明磊落，精忠报国，贫贱不能移，威武不能屈。
　　而今天为了钱可以没有人格，更何况什么国家民族的尊严？！
　　没有想到，到了今天，中国已经找不到什么英雄！
　　即使有，也被官吏当作花瓶装饰一下政绩!被一些白痴当做傻瓜猴子嘲笑！
　　今天是我们自己有人看不起中国传统的东西，它们是西洋的走狗！
　　日本人有靖国神社可以参拜，我们没有！也没有人要去！
　　烈士尸骨还在，名字已经消失……
　　我想找个给英雄下跪的地方！
　　我想请日本人告诉我当年是谁在中国的哪个地方和日军血战过！
　　不过日本人肯定不告诉我，我们的英雄已经战死几十年，日本人仍然害怕他们。
　　但今天我们比抗日时有钱，日本人却变本加厉地唾弃我们！
　　这不能怪他们，我们是活该的：
　　一面我们的尾巴翘得如此之高，欢迎日本的二流商品在中国称雄，陶醉于日本影片，崇拜日本明星，我宁愿他崇拜东条英机，将来成为中国的东条去灭了日本。
　　一方面我们的下一代很多被娇生惯养，严肃的东西不看，中国历史一问三不知，中国的未来是一大*软骨头的孬种。
　　当日本人在小学课本里彻底扭曲侵华历史时，我们的教育学家居然在讨论金庸武侠小说要不要入选中学教材！
　　更何况，我们不知从什么时候起，居然连英雄都唾弃。
　　这已不是悲哀那么简单了！
　　在民族精神上，中国人不如日本人。
　　日本人说：从总体上看，支纳人是世界上最低劣的种族。在总体素质上，南方支纳人又要远远优于北方支纳人……我们日本人（除了只会叩头的少数政客外）愿意称你们国家为支纳，不愿称它为中国，但我们称宋代以前为中国。我们轻视支纳人的一个原因是……我小的时候，父亲带我去日比谷公园，指着缴获北洋水师的战利品对我说，日本就是在打败支纳的北洋水师后，才成为世界上主要强国的。当我来到支纳的时候，我发现支纳人比我想象的还要低劣，他们对我这个毫无背景的日本学生点头哈腰，说什么都是日本的好……当我问他们支纳一个在韩战中为了完成任务宁愿被火烧死的英雄时，他们居然说那种傻瓜再也不会有了。我们日本有靖国神社……我们日本人将会永记为国殉死的英灵，他们在靖国神社里享受他们应得的敬意。每当我们唱起为国而逝的英魂啊，你要常常回到慈母的梦中，我们就会感慨万千，永志难忘。
　　支纳人，我们敬拜靖国神社时，你们根本没有资格说三道四。
　　对他的说法我深有知己之感，他日我若在战场上遇到他，必先干上三杯再打！
　　张自忠将军在枣宜战役壮烈而死，日本高级军官亲自抬棺！
　　虽为敌人，杀死日本人无数，但日本人起码知道，英雄是用来崇拜的，这样的英雄，即使是敌人，也应表示万分的敬意。
　　只有这样敬重英雄的民族，才能长盛不衰，日本人就是这样的民族，日本人不是看不起中国，而是看不起现在的中国人。
　　我们的祖先他们不敢辱没。
　　只有我们这些不肖的子孙自己才干出辱没祖宗的事，忘了祖宗的许多精神和思想精髓。
　　日本人只尊重强者，你打死他，也要尊重你。
　　日本人唾弃弱者，你越跪得欢他越把你当狗对待。
　　而我们是弱者。
　　中国的历史上，有多少英雄惜英雄的故事，如今只是故事罢了。现在的人连自己眼前的英雄都讥为傻瓜！何况别人的英雄？
　　当然，我说是有立场的，日本人的英雄是我的敌人，但即使要灭之而后快，也应先敬三分，对于本国的小人汉奸，即使是同一祖宗，也应诛杀而唾弃。
　　我们有的人看不起先辈，看不起父辈，认为他们老土，但正是在这些老土的父辈身上，才有希望看到中华民族真正的精华，正是他们直接间接和日本美帝斗争，才保住了我们的最后一点尊严。
　　今天中国周边形式严峻，也有许多英雄在大叫骂娘，让我感到中国真的没有希望了，关键是没有人想一下我们能干什么？
　　我们要报仇，但只不是用嘴！那只会象阿*！
　　血债要血还，但我们要懂得尊重自己尊重敌人，大丈夫喜怒不露，杀人于无形。
　　如果，打一场仗可以打出我们的民族精神来，可以让我们的科技和工业前进一大步。
　　那么，我们打！
　　无赖的老年日本人根本就不承认侵略过中国！
　　无知的年轻日本人根本就不知道侵略过中国！
　　无耻的军国主义者说当慰安妇在是一种荣耀！
　　我们却在自我安慰的寄希望于日本人的良知！
　　而他们认为我们这些可怜的第三世界在编造故事以敲诈他们的钱财……
　　如果你是一个不太喜欢狂热、激进的温和派，那么我个人认为你应该所做的是：
　　把不买日货这个原则默默地记在心里，我们没有必要非得用示wei或游xing来反对日本可耻的行为。
　　我们应在心里默默的抗议日本对我们犯下的错误和他们对这些错误无耻的抵赖！
　　这是做为中国人最起码的原则吧？
　　我们只需要在购买商品的时候更多的忽视一下日货，能不买日货就不要去买。
相信自己，只要我们团结起来，人人都能做到这一点，就会使日本在经济上受到打击，就会使他们不敢再轻视我们的力量。
　　如果你认为我是在痴人说梦，那么可以先看看下面的数据：
　　在世界各地，几乎90%的华人用的是日本车和日本电器。
　　我统计过如果世界各地的华人停止购买日货，日本每年将损失1000-1400亿美元的外汇收入！
　　而外汇收入是任何一个国家的源泉和动力！
　　它和国民经济的关系是一带动八，或者说：损失一份外贸收入，这个国家就要损失八份的国内经济收入。
　　换算一下：1000-1400亿美元的外汇收入等价于一兆美元：日本经济的总产值的五分之一。
　　所以，如果世界各地华人同心协力，不用动刀动枪，就可制日本于死地！！
　　而且是永久的死地！
　　我们应该学习尤太人：曾经集体拒买一家德国工厂的产品，最后导致这家公司的彻底破产！
　　起因就是因为这个公司的总裁说了一些所谓理解希特勒的话！
　　现在德国人对犹太人特别好，您知道为什么吗？
　　原因有二：
　　一个是怕：因为尤太人特别团结；
　　第二个是尤太人的狠：尤太人从来没有放弃过对纳粹分子的追杀！
　　只要在这个地球上发现有任何藏匿的纳粹分子，他们就一定就会抓捕绑架如果实在无法得手，那就杀！
　　看看我们中国呢？！
　　对刽子手的仁慈，无疑就是自杀！
　　开始行动吧！
　　同胞们：多少年过去了，还要等吗？
　　开始行动吧：
　　从我开始做起！
　　从我家开始做起！！
　　从我的朋友开始做起！！！
　　从我身边的各个组织开始做起！！！！
　　只要大家共同努力：
　　最后，我想最多10年，全世界所有的华人都会做到！
　　既使能做到一半。对日本的打击也是致命的！！
　　组织一个全球性的拒买日货复仇组织，请在各地串连串连，好吗？！
　　同胞们，开始行动吧！
　　请大家意识到拒买日货的重要性。
　　拒买日货首先要防止被日本狗误导。有些所谓的爱国人士（其时是被日本秘密收买的哈巴狗，目地是挑拨分离我们本来就不团结的中华大众），它们经常提出：拒买日货是不可能做到的，原因是几乎所有的轿车、电器里，多少都有日本的零件。所以还是打住吧！
　　拒买日货就到此为止是什么用意？
　　难道中国人感觉不到么！感觉不到日本在害怕！
　　他们害怕看到中国大众组织起来，进而进行有效的抵制日货运动！
　　故而在这个五十多年来首次完全有可能组织其一个有效的全球性拒买日货运动时，他们便会迫不及待地跳出来叫停！
　　拒买日货，并非像他们所说的哪样因为这个计算机里有一个或一些日本零件，我就不买；这个电视里有几个日本造的电子器件，我就不要。
　　拒买日货的口号实际上是要求全球中国人，在有选择可能的情况下，尽量不买日本造的货物，如汽车、电冰箱、洗衣机、电视、音响等等！
　　五十多年来，华人一直记恨于日本，但可笑的是却没有一个有力的拒买日货组织！
　　究其原因,就是因为中国有太多的日本狗从中挑拨分离我们本来就不团结的中华大众！
　　中国同胞们：清醒过来吧！千万不要再被这种人玩耍了！
　　拒买日货的意义是巨大的！
　　她能让我们不动一刀一枪就打击了日本，同时又加快了中国经济的发展！
　　她能让我们扼制日本，进而让中国立于不败之地！
　　她能让我们的子孙免遭我们的前几代祖先和我们现代中国人所遭受的痛苦！
　　她最终也能让这个几百年来一直顽固不化，一再屠杀掠夺中国人民的丑陋民族遭受到它应有的惩罚！
　　你以为这容易做到吗？绝对不是！
　　这需要我们大家的共同努力，才能让全体中国人慢慢地，逐渐的，先是意识到，然后才能真实地做到！
　　至于某些不必要的担心：
　　1.中日关系日渐友好。
　　中日友好根本就不存在！过去没有，现在没有，将来也不会有！
　　清醒过来吧，不要再自己骗自己！
　　2.现在中日两国贸易总额每年达600亿美元。会不会因为我们全球华人对抵制日货，中国就会受到损失？
　　这是不会的！原因是：
　　a.日本出口到中国的是高级奢侈品，我们中华大众可以拒绝；
　　b.中国出口到日本的是普通生活必须品，日本人很难抵制，他们其实是在享受着我们廉价的产品！
　　3.另外，从中国的长远利益来看，减少对日本产品的过份依赖，对中国的国家安全是非常重要的，比如日本参加美国的NMD，其目的就是与中国为敌!

My areas of interest

2006-08-10T11:14:00.000-07:00

As a native language arts teacher, I am always interested in finding how to improve language skills among new immigrant students, how native literacy affects the second language acquisition, and the correlation between the improvement of native literacy and academic performance of non-English students, and how to integrate technology in language learning. I have been working on it for several years and got some first hands experience that I am willing to share with students and educators, and to further the study of issues and methodology of instructional technology. From the workshops I offered in different occasions/events, I sense genuine needs among educators to infuse more technologies into teaching, especially in language learning and literacy program. Of course, it can also extend to all subject areas at all levels, such as science and math, so on and so forth. My belief is that in this digital era, new technology provides new platform for teaching and learning. Ways of learning evolve rapidly so our teaching should accommodate this change. Teaching needs to explore and extend to a broader horizon that we used to vision at. Otherwise, the gap between learning and teaching will widen, which would contribute more to the failure of student learning. The ignorance and negligence on instructional technology will certainly downgrade the education quality of all students in schools as well as in colleges. The perfect example of it is that the mayor and the chancellor banned the ipod and other electronic devices in schools while educators in schools and colleges are trying to incorporate ipod, pocket PC and audio visual devices in the classroom to make classroom instruction more effective. How can we educate our youngsters for the 21st century and compete with other nations while other countries are investing more in instructional technology?

My areas of interest:

Teaching and learning in digital era/information age
Instructional technology and language learning/technology and language acquisition
Student-centered learning with technology
Multimedia in teaching/learning
Digital tools in language learning
Internet/WebQuest
Web projects for subject classes
IPod/Podcasting and language learning
Writing through Weblogs
MSN messenger (QQ) for online group discussion
Handheld PC for language learning
Digital photography and reading/writing
Assessment/rubrics

Presenting at AP Annual Conference 2006

2006-04-06T11:21:00.000-07:00

College Board (大学理事会）is going to host their annual conference at Lake Buena vista, Florida this summer. I submitted my presentation paper for their new training session of Chinese Language and Culture. I am very glad that my paper was accepted. Good things don't come alone. I was also awarded with College Board AP Scholarship. This was a really good start for my AP class in school next year.

Recently my presentation paper “Teaching Languages the Digital Ways" was also selected at Annual Conference of American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (美国外语教学学会）which will be held in Tennessee this november.

It is always my passion to integrate technology into language teaching. I like to exchange my teaching experience with other teachers and learn from each other. Hope that Chinese language teaching/learning will be more effective with the help of all new technologies.

School Camp Mason Trip

2006-04-06T10:50:00.000-07:00

Last weekend, our school organized a trip to Camp Mason near Delaware Gap in New Jersey. It was a great trip for all of us. I took my son, Steve there, too.
The camp provides all kinds of activities for the campers. Most of them are very educational, fun and exciting. During the camping, I experienced touching moments with my students, and I learned a lot from them. One student got hurt in foot. Students in my group took food and sent to him in cabin. Students helped him to move around in the camp. I have to say that I noticed many fine qualities in my students. They are brave, honest, respectful and very helpful in many cases. One female student was always the first to try the activities. She was not afraid of anything. I was impressed. I also noticed the role reverse. Students encouraged me in some of the activities, while during the class, I am the one who encourage them in their study. I like this reverse. It makes students more confident about themselves. With their encouragement and support, I climbed the Vertical Playpen, and tried the Giant Swing which I was scared quite a lot at the beginning.
I was also very impressed by what Steve did during the camping. He participated in all activities and played with all students despite the age difference (10 years). He held on to the end in every activity even though he had hard time to complete some of them. I am very proud of his performance. He felt much more confident after this trip.
We were just very lucky. Weather also cooperated with us. It was gorgeous when we were there. In one word for this trip, super! We will be back!
Another aspect of the trip worthwhile to mention is the beauty of nature. I love this protected land of pure air, water, and beautiful mountains. I breathe the fresh air and enjoy every moment of being surrounded by the nature. We need to make more efforts to protect our environment and our earth, otherwise we will suffer the consequences. (Maybe we are starting the suffering due to the unresponsible policies on environmental protection.)

War and policy

2005-11-21T19:16:00.000-08:00

One argument from conservative right is that terrorists are evil, Iraqi war is the fight against terrorists. So the war is justified.

First of all, Iraq has nothing to do with the terrorists of 9.11. Saudi Arab does. Second, yes, 9.11 is terrible and terrorists are evil, but that doesn't justify the war which kills thousands of innocents and takes two thousands lives of brave American soldiers. Terrorists are evil, we can act as evil. Eye to eye. Is that the logic of those conservatives? If so, they have proved to be evil by this logic.

Who caused terrorism in the world? This is a complicated issue. One reason that is agreed among some scholoars is the American policy toward Palestinian-Isreal conflict. Every policy will have its consequences sooner or later. America should have the wisdom to make good policies for its own national security and interest. When American national security and interest are damaged (such as 9.11), that proves the policies made are wrong. It should be a simple logic here.

Election

2005-11-08T19:41:00.000-08:00

American democracy has been a symbolic model and pride for many years. After living in US for 2 decades, I start to realize that this model has its limitation. Money becomes one of the main source of power in politics. Many candidates spend excessively in their campaigns. "Buying" election is one major concern for many voters. Money = Democracy ???? Money can buy lies and "makeups". Once democracy falls, what else can stand?

Steve Zimmerman Technology Award/CBS Early Show

2005-10-18T14:05:00.000-07:00

Our school was awarded Steve Zimmerman Technology Award with $20, 000. Principal Martha Polin, Assistant Principal Melody Kellogg, and I attended the award ceremony last night. This morning, we showed up at CBS Early Show for the publicity of the award. We were all excited. This is the recognition of our long efforts in educational technology. Use of PDA and laptops, video production, web design, Mouse Squad, MOUS certification program, Oracle Internet Academy etc, they all contribute to the enhancement of school curriculum and the improvement of academic performance on the part of students. We are facing big challenges in education. Our efforts in this area certainly help us meet the challenges and excel. Keep on!

A Poem from My Brother: Kite

2005-10-05T16:49:00.000-07:00

风筝

牵着线的手倏然一轻
心头猛然地一紧
找不到回家的路
却满脑子是那风筝
多少年过去
紧了的心无法放松
惦念当时手的那端
欣喜若狂时我却梦醒

2004-11-7

维基百科 Wikipedia--A great tool in teaching/learning

2005-09-27T17:17:00.000-07:00

Wikipedia--"the free encyclopedia that anyone can edit"
Recently I browsed wikipedia site. It is truely a great site. Everyone can contribute to the content. It also provides directions to conduct a research with specific topic. It should be a great tool for Isearch projects in school. Major language versions are available. Chinese is one of them.
More(Chinese)

Oracle Online Course

2005-09-21T19:25:00.000-07:00

Tonight, I had my first chat online with my students in Oracle Academy. We talked for about half hour. Students were great. They asked me some questions about the course. I explained some of the key points in the first section. I tried write my messages in English. I hope that their English can also be improved throught this practice.
This is our new approach to conduct lesson online. I wish the success for the program. Of course, we need to put in a lot of time and efforts.

中秋节

2005-09-18T15:40:00.000-07:00

一位学生的博客介绍了中秋节, 在此连接以贺中秋.

中秋的祝福

Students Are Writing Blogs!

2005-09-16T14:57:00.000-07:00

Back to school, I assign students to create blogs for my courses. I got some nice blogs. They are still improving. I am very proud of them. This is one of my joys of being a teacher. Here is the link: http://teachchinese.blogspot.com/ Check student blogs section on right side.

It is really a good tool allowing students to write freely in their blogs, so that they can train themselves to have a habit of writing, most importantly to enjoy writing. This free writing practice can be lead to instructional or structured writing later on in different subject classes. This transition is quite crucial for our students considering the fact that they are lack of reading and writing in many areas during their previous schooling. The challenge is how we can get students with very limited writing skills to write. I would suggest that let them read their classmates blogs first. By reading other classmate blogs, it may interest them to express themselve in some ways. Hopefully this interest can push them to write. In my assignments, I provide both free writing practice and instructional writing practice. Let's see how much they can improve.

Hearts to Katrina Victims

2005-09-04T19:33:00.000-07:00

One of the New Orleanians said: "If we can go to another country to help, what about in our own country?"

Help online:
https://donate.msn.com/pages/landing.html

A Scene on Sea

2005-09-03T19:14:00.000-07:00

A World of Joy

A giant cruise ship is sailing on the endless sea. Kids are jumping around, sliding down into the water pool. Splash! Joy and excitement extend to the horizon of the ocean. I look at the kids. "It is the time of joy." I said to myself. I join in myself. Splash. All the worries and stress are gone with the water vapor, evaporate up to the blue sky.

Blue sky, blue water, joy, fun,...

The ship continues to sail with my joyful wish. May joy with us forever.

迭云遮日重重,
束光映水清清。
天高海阔悠游，
远目眺望心沁。

Layered clouds shy away the sun face
Penetrated sunlight calms the ocean waves
The stretched horizon merges a refreshed soul
That travels through the eternal fate

Caught this scene, took two pictures and merged them into one with Photoshop. Click the image to view the full size.

Workshops at NYSCATE Conference 2005

2005-09-03T18:10:00.000-07:00

More details

1. Photohop for Class Projects:
Text/Style
Layers
Animation/ImageReady
Transparent image
New tools in Photoshop CS
Automate
Create a photo album

**Bring some digital images.

2. Intermediate Web Design-Dreamweaver and More:

Layout/Table
Cascading Style Sheets
Handling of images/Rollover
Forms/Jump menu
Plug-in(audio/video)
Dynamic pages
FTP
Use of server side application
*Use of blog

A Quote to share

2005-08-25T17:42:00.000-07:00

A few days ago, one of my students sent me a quote. I like the quote, and post it here to share.
"This is the precious present, regardless of what yesterday was like, regardless of what tomorrow may bring. When your inner eyes open, you can find immense beauty hidden within the inconsequential details of daily life. When your inner ears open, you can hear the subtle, lovely music of the universe everywhere you go. When the heart of your heart opens, you can take deep pleasure in the company of the people around you--family, friends, acquaintances, or strangers--including those whose characters are less than perfect, just as your character is less than perfect. When you are open to the beauty, mystery, and grandeur of ordinary existence, you "get it" that it always has been beautiful, mysterious, and grand and always will be. This is the precious present." -----Timothy Ray Miller

Learn from the past, look forward to the future with hope, enjoy every moment of the precious present if possible.

Sites for Jokes and humors

2005-08-15T21:45:00.000-07:00

Here are a few fine sites for jokes in Chinese.
http://joke.163.com/
http://www.51haha.net/
http://cn.jokes.yahoo.com/

It is always a good idea to share one or two jokes in classroom. Sometimes let students share their funny stories. It definitely helps teaching, and it is FUN!

Happy Chinese Valentine's Day--七夕情人节

2005-08-11T20:26:00.000-07:00

I am watching Chinese news on TV. I just learned that today is Chinese Valentine's Day. People buy flowers. Couples enjoy the romantic moments.
This Seven Night Festival is originated from a love story. It is believed that Zhinu, or the Weaving Maid, is meeting her husband Niulang, or the Cowherd, on the Milky Way on this day after being seperated for all year long.
Wish more love on earth.

在美国电脑化中文教学的尝试

2005-08-10T15:01:00.000-07:00

我设立了一个简单的网页, 简单地介绍了一些电脑化中文教学的尝试, 我会不断更新. 如不能看中文, 可在 "View"--"Encoding" 中选择"中文简体".
中文教学
欢迎你的评论与建言.

***********************************************************
博克(blog)已被广泛接受. 每个人都可以成为网上作者, 在网上交流自己的作品. 中文教学中也可尝试使用博克来进行写作教学. 其优点是学生成为博克网的主人. 其他同学都可自由阅览, 并参与讨论. 学生也可自由发挥, 写作一些自己想写的题材. 以下是我的学期设想.

1. 规定写作:
按教学内容, 列出作业题目.

2. 自由写作:
题材风格不限.
规定致少三份作业, 超出不限.

3. 小组作业:
分小组, 成员之间互相评论写作, 合作完成作业.

中文的博克网可用 http://spaces.msn.com.cn 该网站有中文注册.
英文有http://www.blogware.com 此网站功能较强.
比较方便的有http://www.blogger.com, 该网站支持中文输入.

Professional Development at Info Tech

2005-08-05T11:12:00.000-07:00

The PD at ITHS is ending today. We have teachers, coaches and school staff shown up at PD. Most of us like the new PD format proposed by Ted. People walk in the lab. As trainers, we would ask them what they want to do or learn, or what project they would like to work on. Most of them have very specific needs. With the specialties of each of our trainers, we help them out. During these several weeks of PD, we worked on Web Design with Dreamweaver, HTML coding, animation with Flash, video editing, blogging and many other topics which were not listed in the schedule. Most of the participants feel that it is quite productive, yet still with a lot of freedom. One important feature of it is that participants get much more personal attention at PD. Back to the regular classroom setting, this model can also be implemented. However I would argue that it could be quite difficult for large class setting. We just don't have that much time of attention to give to each student. Another advantage of this model is that with more personal contact, trainers/instructors can learn from trainees/students. I learned a lot from the conversations we have in the room in the unformal ways. People may have different views on this model. Some may feel uncomfortable. I would still encourage people to explore this model. I am very grateful to Noralee and Ted to arrange this PD for all of us. It is my great pleasure to work with Steve, Ken, Renee, Ted and meet so many great teachers during the training.

Memories--One of my high school classmates

2005-07-30T11:36:00.000-07:00

Just a few days ago, I got an email from a college classmate in Shanghai, showing me a photo and asking me if I know one person in the photo. I recgonised the person who was my elementary and high school classmate 30-40 years ago in Shanghai. Now he is in charge of the Shanghai branch of Siemens (an german company). My college classmate works for my elementary classmate in a German company. What a change! However I am not suprised. He is always a very brilliant student in class. Back to the time of elementary school, it was still in Mao's era. We could hardly imagine 30 or 40 years in the future. I am sure that both of us would never dream about what we are doing today. Nobody ever thought about the current situation of China. China then and China now are just beyong imagination. Luckily, both of us live quite happily in different parts of the world. I am thinking of our other classmates. I wish them all well. I am anxiously waiting to know anything about them.

"Digital Divide"---Does it divide us from our students?

2005-07-28T18:39:00.000-07:00

More and more new technologies are available in market. Compare to 40-50 years ago, when telephone and television were the only few luxuary items we had, students and teachers were almost on the same side of line. Later, we had walkman, mobile phones, game players, we were still not that apart. Now portable DVD players, iPod, MP3 players, email, blogs, podcasting.... , the majority of educators are not that "equipped" compare to our students in classroom. Students tend to know more and more about these newbies while some of us are still afraid of, or not willing to use email. Just a few days ago, I found out that some of my students are already blogging online for quite a while. I often consider myself as technology savy. Now I just realized that I don't know much about blogging. Are we divided more from our students? How can we bridge the gap? A dream? No child left behind---Maybe we really need to shout out: NO TEACHER LEFT BEHIND!

Equality in Education

2005-07-27T19:31:00.000-07:00

I am attending an AP course training at Philly for a week. It is a quite intensive one. I am glad that my principal send me here. She would like to offer more AP courses in school to help our students succeed in college. At the same time, I found out that most of the teachers in training are from suburban schools. At least in my class, I am the only one from a public high school of metropolitan area. Some of those schools offer more than 10 AP courses. Obviously, city school students do not get the same quality of education. Whose fault? It is not hard to find out that as inner city teachers , we don't get same amount of resources as many suburban school teachers. Another problem is that many highly qualified teachers would like to teach in suburban schools. I don't know how far Bloomburg and Klein can go. I just hope that we, teachers in New York City, get the respect and support we deserve for the benefit of our students.

讨论：美国生活与中文学习

2005-07-22T09:13:00.000-07:00

移民美国后, 对中学生来说,首要任务是适应美国生活, 学好英文. 那么中文还要不要学, 中文的提高有没有必要. 让我们一起来讨论这些问题.