Class Discussion Questions

Talking Points

- Goal: To understand how China is using the Olympics game to educate its citizens and the world about culture.

- Initial Background - Constructed by media, communist history

- Olympism: "Olympism is a philosophy of life, exalting and combining in a balanced whole the qualities of body, will and mind. Blending sport with culture and education, Olympism seeks to create a way of life based on the joy found in effort, the educational value of good example and respect for universal fundamental ethical principles."
(Olympic Charter, Fundamental Principles, paragraph 1)

- China is Moving in the Right Direction - despite Media criticism (opening ceremony), China is improving.


1) How has the Olympics reshaped your view of China? Has your view of China changed since the games began?

2) How does the political regime in which you live affect your cultural identity? (Democracy, Socialism, Communism)

3) Can you truly understand your own culture, if you aren't exposed to other cultures? (Heart-to-Heart Initiative)

4) How can we use the Olympics, and this idea of Olympism, as a tool to instruct about culture in our classrooms?

Xianonings Blog

A refreshing and personal account of the Olympics! Xiaonings's blog is designed to bring together her views on Chinese culture and education. Her blog is supplement to a store she runs called ChinaSprout. The goal of the store is provide quality Chinese culture and educational products to families who have adopted children from China, recent immigrants, and teachers interested in teaching Chinese culture. On the site you can buy art work, clothing, children's books, food, and the list goes on. What makes her blog so relevant to the Olympics is that her blog has been focusing on it; she has posted 11 entries in regards to the olympics and does a good job at providing factual background to help make sense of certain events the media has covered. The topics range from the opening ceremony (which you can purchase a DVD copy for 29.95 on the website) to discussing China's success in achieving, "One World, One Dream."

What I like most about this blog is that she makes the Olympics and China become personable. She gives its a voice that many of us can relate too. She isn't sending a message of politics, but instead a message with facutal infromation and she expresses the human emotion surrounding the event.



Her blog and her store reflect a very positive approach to culture. She's obviously very proud of her heritage and the rich history of China. The store is a valuable resource for all teachers who are interested in teaching about global culture. I see this as being a highly valuable resource for any teacher, not only as a store, but also the authentic experience the blog can offer.


Throughout this class, I've learned to re-think my definition of culture and its application in policy making. The experience that is shared in this blog is valuable as it gives priority to the individual and a new sense of hybrid culture. A true multiculturalist approach and extremely valuable to those looking at China from the outside. The test for China in the future will be how far the government opens their doors the cultural, political, and economic exposure. In order for the Chinese to truly understand their culture, I would argue that they must see other cultures. Erickson discusses that cultural realization and identification didn't really happen until the Foreign Medical Students saw other doctors practicing. This cultural exposure, even if minimal, allows for multiculturalism and education to follow.

China - A country in transition

The olympics have had a substantial and positive impact on China.  The media has been so quick to run stories that contribute to the negative views of China - specifically related to human rights, pollution, and communism, but it is obvious that China is exposing its students to a new type of international culture through the idea of Olympism.  The Olympics have brought a pride to China and its obvious why this event is considered by many Chinese to be the greatest event in their history.  When I began this blog, my view towards China was fairly western.  I was skeptical about communism, frustrated with human rights violations, and unsure about their Olympic motives.  As I've read and watched the games, its become increasingly clear to me that China is moving in a positive direction.  China won't be the US or Britain, but they are leading a path that will unite China with the world.  Their willingness to take on the games and organize them with such pride, shows that China truly wants to an international team player.  Their educational initiatives show a fresh look into communist culture, as it looks to increase international exposure among its students through the Heart-to-Heart program.  China is uniting the world in an anti-western way, which takes time to appreciate.  And although my hesitations are still existent, I'm confident that China is moving in a direction that will benefit its citizens as individuals.

Beijing Olympic Education Site

This website, designed and hosted by the Beijing Olympic committee, is designed to be a media resource outlining China's relationship between its education and the olympic games. There is a small section that would be useful for students that outlines the Olympic history, key players in the international peace movement, the most notable would be Nelson Mandela - who I find especially surprising in the midst of all of the discussion about human rights in China. The website seems to fall short in its content depth. It is a great start and has a wonderful appeal, but there isn't much substance. There have been three news articles pubished since 5/30/08. The few programs that they do highlight - a Poster Program and an intiative known as Heart-to-Heart, do not have much description. A quick few paragraphs, outweighed with pictures of smiling children and schools. It again brings me back to my reflections of the opening ceremony. A wonderful image, lofty public initiatives, but not much depth or explanation. To the reader, I was curious about these programs and wanted to see greater depth and explanation, but there were no links present off the page to gain further information. After just reading an article about the young girl who was chosen to sing, but was hidden behind a curtain during the ceremony, while a prettier girl lip-sinked the performance. Then hearing how the fireworks had been digitally enhanced, this focus on outside image, makes me wonder how much substance is in these educational initiatives.


With all of the discussion about Olympics and culture, I found it hard to believe that the IOC stood behind China's decision to replace the 'uglier' singer, calling it "a casting or technical decision by the producer." China sent the wrong message to the youth of the world when it chose to make that decision. The Olympics is about education and cultural acceptance, according to its mission, far before theatrical production. The communist nature of China leads to a very top down approach - thus making this decision again feel as if the individual is lost within the system and again China is concerned more with its outside image and what's best for the masses. Maybe a minor issue, but I feel as if this is a small example that speaks again to the a larger political issue.







The Beijing Games committee sponsored a large poster contest among primary school students. The goal of the program wa
s too, "spread Olympic culture among the country’s young people." Although it seemed like more of a media feeding frenzy than an educational initiative, it with no doubt had the potential to have an incredible impact on students.

Another major initiative was the Heart to Heart, which consisted of 200 primary and secondary schools partnering with 205 National Olympic Committees. The goal of the program was to create a stronger international link between countries and expose students to greater diversity. This program seems very interesting, yet there is very little information available. The website had a little more than a page of pictures and text with an accompanying list of participating schools. I googled the topic, and only found similar press releases on the official olympic site and various major media outlets.

What are the Learning goals that the site is geared toward?


This website focuses on two major initiatives that both work to foster Olympism and international relations. The website is geared more towards the media than a true tool for educators and students. It's content is minimal and could be strengthened by incorporating more discovery opportunities for students on the website. There aren't many opportunities for outsiders and Chinese students to learn by using the website. It's potential impact could easily be strengthened. Despite having 200+ schools, the Heart-to-Heart initiative could include more Chinese schools. The amount of students that it actually reaches seems minimal in comparison to China's overall population.

When reading this, I thought back to Erickson and his discussion on the functionalist perspective and how it does not account for change. To me, Communism tended to breed this repetition of culture that was constantly being passed on to the younger generations. As globalization continuly forces China to open its door, it demonstrates the flaw that Erikson points out, that it does not account for change. (p 300) The Olympics are a prime example of this shift and push towards the individual. While it is a small step, it seems obvious that social structures and process are being re-invented with increased attention on the individual. Perhaps you could even say that China is going through a period under Conflict Theory, where the youth - in the age of increased access to the internet and exposure to globalization - are begining to see culture as something other than communism. Time will tell.


How does the site account for the intersection of culture and schooling?

The site clearly shows that China is working to take advantage of the learning opportunities associated with hosting the Olympic Games While, this may not be a great resource for teachers and students, it does show evidence that China is attempting to have a significant impact on its students. The concern with these programs is whether there is substantial impact being made, or whether this is more of a media blitz.

International Olympic Committee

This site is run by the International Olympic Committee and clearly lays out the purpose of the Olympic Games. So often we think sports, but culture and education are clearly outlined as well. The overall goal is to create this idea of "Olympism," which according to the Olympic Charter states:

"Olympism is a philosophy of life, exalting and combining in a balanced whole the qualities of body, will and mind. Blending sport with culture and education, Olympism seeks to create a way of life based on the joy found in effort, the educational value of good example and respect for universal fundamental ethical principles."

The goal of Olympisim is fascinating and often overlooked. This is the first time that I'd heard of such a word, and it reminded me of our discussoin about culture. It is very clear to me throughout all of the websites that an olympic culture does it exist, characterized by high ideals, multiculturalism, education, sports, and global unity. Throughout all of the websites there is a focus on extending this idea of Olympism and culture to students throughout the world. This website offers some great lesson plans for teachers to use when instructing about the Beijing Olympics - they provide historical background and intro. lessons on cultural identity.

What are the implicit models of learning employed by the site?

It is evident that the goal of the lessons associated with China are aimed to give the student a solid background on China's cultural history. The lesson explains a history of the olympics then outlines a series of activities that explain China's philsophoy towards the games, a summary of the mascots, and the goals China has in carrying out the games.

One of the shortcomings, as outlined in Oaks in Lipton (p. 77), is that a "Students must be able to use their own scial and cultural thinking processes to make sense of any new knowledge, espeically new cultural information." I fear that many students don't understand culture and what makes up a national culture. There needs to be a greater emphasis on this website about defining culture and explaining what it means to students. If that schafoulding is constructed, it will allow for a greater transfer and aquisation of knowledge as students can assimilate and accomodate with the knowledge they gain about Chinese culture.

http://multimedia.olympic.org/pdf/en_report_1283.pdf

What are the learning goals that the site is geared toward?

The goal is to provide background in Chinese culture through facts, art, photography, and video. The site does a great job at providing lesson plans geared for all ages and abilities, and the end goal is to give students a solid understanding of the historical events that have shaped China and that are seen in the 2008 Games.

How does the site account for the intersection of culture and schooling?

The site is specifically designed with the learner in mind. It is easy to navigate, provides learning resources for all Olympic Games, and outlines specifical lessons and resources to help instruct about the Beijing Games. It is a solid resources to help foster Olympism; its strenths are outlined in its historical approach to understanding how the knowledge of culture can build ones appreciation for diversity and a better understanding of personal identity. It could be strengthed with solid lessons explaining what culture is and how it is seen during all Olympic games. All of the materials are designed with students in mind. Teachers can find a wide variety of materials that could be used across subject matter and ability. The goal of the site is to build and foster Olympism.

Historical Backgrounds and Initial Thoughts

1968 - One Medal; One Message:
This Olympic season has been filled with hype, as the media has been focusing on Tibet, Human Rights Protesting, and Pollution. It seems that the Olympics always draws protestors and political action, but this trend has its historic roots. The 1968 Olympics in Munich come to mind first, as outlined in the accompanying picture. That moment forever changed those Athletes and sent a powerful message across the world. A wordless, but powerful position of acceptance, cultural awareness, and freedom. It seems to me that China is coping amidst substantial international pressure with its own cultural and freedom issues. Just as the US fought its historic civil rights battle in the 1960s, China today is eager to open its door to profits and economic development, but hesistant to allow for cultural, relgious, and political freedom.

Historical Background:
China is unique, its communist history dating back to the 1940s (1949-Chinese Communist Rev.) has led the country to limit the cultural diversity and cleansed its population of intellectual diversity (culture). The Cultural Revolution was a ten-year period, lasting from 1966-1976, aimed at ideological cleansing. It was focused on the intellectuals to remove the ‘bourgeoisie’ influence. They forced many into manual labor and thousands were executed. China has come a long way in the past 30 years, but the communist government of China is still strong in its ability to quiet government opposition and cultural diversity. This has been most widely seen with the Tibet crisis that took place this previous April. The coming entries won't focus so much on the politics of the olympics or human rights - instead they will address how the Olympics is used as a tool for cultural education within China and other participating countries.

Intro and Websites

In light of the upcoming Olympics, I decided to focus my BLOG on websites that dealt with cultural education as it related to the Beijing Games.
Initial thoughts and background:

So, I’ve been writing, reading, and surfing for two weeks. I struggled greatly in my attempt to find a link that connected my thoughts, academic classes, and the goals of the class. But, I finally feel as if things are coming together… here are the websites I'll be looking at:

http://www.olympic.org/uk/passion/studies/index_uk.asp

http://en.beijing2008.cn/education/

http://blog.chinasprout.com/