Chen gains recognition for her tech-savvy teaching
January 25, 2010 • written by Patrick Magno
Ask any Moreau student taking Mandarin about learning such a complex language, and they will tell you more about twitter accounts and interactive games instead of memorization drills. Chinese and Computer Science teacher Henny Chen has long been admired by her students for teaching Chinese in a technology-driven way, and recently, she has become even more recognized for this same reason.
Chen traveled to Taiwan for a three-day trip in January where she gave presentations at various conferences and was interviewed by press for her teaching ideas and accomplishments.
The Taiwanese government strongly promotes the spread of Chinese language curriculum throughout the world and acknowledged Chen for her efforts and innovation for the cause. “I’m a little bit famous for teaching Chinese in the US, so the Taiwanese government told me to present how I use technology and what I think about Chinese teaching in the United States,” Chen said.
Students find this recognition interesting. “I just see her as my teacher, but it’s cool how she is well known in another country like that,” Senior James Hartanto said.
Chen presented her ideas at a couple of universities including Chang Gung University in the city of Gueishan and the National Taipei University of Education. She spoke about how the new generation of web development has transformed the way in which she teaches Chinese. Through e-books, audio applications, blogging, animations, and virtual drills and games, Chen has enhanced her students’ ability to learn Mandarin.
“It’s more interactive,” Chen said. “Instead of a boring PowerPoint, students are more attracted to the online collaboration and simulations.”
Chen was also a part of a competition where computer skills were essential. It was hosted by the Taiwanese Government and required participants to write teacher blogs. “That’s so easy for me because I write a lot. And I also do a lot of teacher training. I train Chinese teachers in the United States. So ask me to write a teacher blog is a piece of cake,” Chen said.
Chen had her eyes set out on the contest’s cash prize: money that she would use to buy a smart board for her classroom. “I attended a lot of conferences, and they were talking about smart boards,” Chen said. “One smart board is probably 2000 U.S. dollars at least, but we don’t have a grant or money. We couldn’t just pull it out my pocket.”
Chen did win the contest, but her earnings fell short of her goal. “There are two types of winners. One is how many people vote for you, so how popular you are. I got that one, 300 dollars on that. The second one is the real winner, so I got first place, so 500 dollars. So I say hmm, 800 dollars is kind of a shortage right? However I got a check from an anonymous person; it was kind of a thank you for my contribution to the Chinese teaching and promotion. So I got a 2,000 dollar check, exactly the amount I needed. So soon, they are going to install the new smart board in my class.”
Her luck has given her the chance to integrate a smart board into her Chinese curriculum, something that she has heard mixed opinions on. “A lot of teachers use these to teach foreign languages. It opens another door for me. Some people say it’s so bad; some say it’s incredible. So I’m kind of in between. I think sometimes technology is easy to use, but you need to think about how to use it. So, it kind of challenged me wanting to have a smart board,” Chen said.
In this generation where students have the television, mp3 player, and iChat all on at once while doing homework, the smart board does have more of an attractive factor compared to out-dated textbooks and dusty chalkboards. The smart board allows a teacher’s finger to act as a mouse to control any computer application on a digital whiteboard and record any activity on the board along with an audio track making for good review sessions for students.
Chen sees the technology’s potential. “I think it will help my teaching, making students relate more because it’s visual engagement,” Chen said.
Although on a tight schedule preparing to celebrate the Chinese New Year at Moreau while busy planning a future summer trip to Taiwan for her students, Chen can’t help but to stop and appreciate the school and what it has allowed her to do. Her passion for Chinese culture as well as technology has thoroughly integrated here, and she is always in search for the next innovative step forward in her teaching. “I am so excited,” she said, “because according to rumor, there is a new touch screen for apple, and, if we get a touch screen and a smart board, that will be a another new way of teaching.”
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