Dr. Steven Selden (EDPS) Reports on Trip to China
Dr. Selden traveled to China in December 2008 with support from the College of Education’s newly created International Travel Fund. He reports here on his activities and opportunities for future collaborations. Tiananmen Square

Shanghai – East China Normal University I first arrived at East China Normal University (ECNU), one of China’s key universities. During my time there, I delivered two formal invited presentations on my research to faculty and students. While there I was hosted by the Dean of the Department of Education, Dr. Du Chengxian, Dr. Wang Fanglin, and Dr. Zhongjing Huang. Dr. Huang, who studied abroad at the University of Wisconsin as a Fulbright Scholar, is one of the new cadre of rising Chinese academics. I described the work of a number of our colleagues to my hosts. Dr. Du and his colleagues were open to the possibility of having other College of Education faculty visit ECNU in the future. Dr. Hultgren is scheduled to share her research with the ECNU faculty and students later this year through a series of workshops and presentations.

Beijing – Beijing Normal UniversityMy second week in China was spent at my old Chinese university, Beijing Normal (BNU), where I was previously hosted as a Fulbright Scholar.  As with ECNU, BNU is a key university selected for significant federal government support in infrastructure and programs. I met briefly with Dr. Zhang Binxian, Dean of the School of Education, and was hosted by Professor Qi Chunxia.   Dr. Qi’s professional focus is on math education. She has authored a textbook for middle school students and provided me with a CD of Chinese classroom activities which I plan to share with my EDCI colleagues. As we in the College think ahead to collaborative STEM projects, we would do well to consider collaboration with Dr. Qi, who was also a Fulbright Scholar, in her case at Teachers College, Columbia University.   At BNU I also delivered a keynote address before the international “Inheritance and Innovation: Toward the 21st Century Curriculum and Teaching” conference, and was invited by the School of Education to address students and faculty on my current research projects which concern the hidden curriculum in textbooks and political pressure recently brought in the U.S. on the undergraduate curriculum.

Opportunities for Student Exchanges with Paint Branch Elementary School As an old friend (“lao pangyou”) of China, one of the pleasures in revisiting Beijing was the opportunity to reconnect with old friends. Among those I met, was Madame Yang Meng.  I have known Yang Meng for nearly two decades, and have watched her fine career with the Chinese Ministry of Education flourish. She currently holds the position of Deputy Secretary Director of the China Education Association for International Exchange. One of my purposes in traveling to China was to inquire regarding possible connections to our local Paint Branch Elementary School. Paint Branch’s Principal, Jay Teston is a very entrepreneurial leader. He is quite interested in bringing his sixth grade class to China, and in hosting a similar class of Chinese students in return.  I inquired regarding such an exchange with Deputy Secretary Yang Meng and received a very positive response.  I much look forward to sharing my understanding of next steps with Jay, his good colleagues at Paint Branch, our College’s Office of International Initiatives, and the Office of International Programs, as they move forward with their plans.

Visiting a Key Public School # 8 In the run-up to the Olympics, specific schools were selected for development. These included Middle School Number 8 in Beijing. The school, where the Olympic swimmers practiced, includes classes in English language that were well-preparing Chinese youth for the global community. I would suggest that our colleagues traveling to Beijing make a point of contacting Principal Tai Feng regarding future visits. Faculty interested in ESOL, among others, will be impressed with the programs at Middle School Number 8.

Opportunities for UM Students to Study Abroad As part of the University’s plans for increasing study abroad opportunities to include China, and with the able assistance of Mr. Mu Guanglun of the Office of International Exchange and Cooperation, I met with Professor Chuangsheng Liu, Chair of the University Council, and her colleague Professor Li Chen. Dr. Li and I had a most productive conversation regarding study abroad opportunities for our students which was quite specific regarding the structures in place that will facilitate such study. I plan to share this information with our Office of International Programs for their consideration as well. Another opportunity for reconnecting occurred when my BNU graduate students from 1994 invited me to dinner. Not only does their number include teachers, professors, administrators, leaders in international tourism, but also Director Wu Zhiyong of the Beijing Language and Culture University.  Mr. Wu, a member of my small academic community fourteen years ago, is now directing the Department of International Students & Admission Office for Foreign Students at BLCU. Tsinghua University I also had opportunity to visit Tsinghua University, often seen as the MIT of China. Among my good colleagues there are, Professor Luo Yan (who had been in my class in 1994) and Professor Jinghuan Shi. Professor Shi was my colleague at BNU in 1994, and was a Fulbright Scholar with at the University of Maryland in 2000. Dr. Shi is currently Deputy Director of the prestigious Institute of Education at Tsinghua University, where I delivered a formal presentation to her graduate students and faculty, as well as undertook informal discussions concerning future collaborations.

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For questions regarding the International Travel Fund contact:

Dr. James Greenberg
Director, Office of International Initiatives
3104 Benjamin Building
jdgg@umd.edu

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