May 2012 International Travel: China’s Cultural and Educational Technology

By C. Branchflower

In May of 2012, Crystal Jensen traveled to Bejing, Xian and Shanghai to learn more about China’s efforts to integrate technology into rural settings and become immersed in their language, culture, and traditions.  The China tour involved meetings with educational technology leaders of Intel, Mozilla, Capital Mandarin International Online School, Normal University in Guilin, and Yew Chung International School (YCIS) and Pepperdine University in Shanghai.

Ms. Jensen had the opportunity to experience China’s historical, modern, and natural sites such as the Great Wall, Xian’s Terracotta Warriors, the Forbidden City,  Tiananmen Square, Shanghai’s cultural and shopping districts.  This provided a cultural perspective to the study of a civilization that stays connected to a rich ancient history while using innovations in technology to reach into the future.