Teachers Teaching Teachers #240 - A crisis that will be resolved or a crisis out of control? Stories from Japan - 3.23.11

On this episode of Teachers Teaching Teachers, we talk with a couple of teachers in Japan to get a local perspective on the disaster there. The other guests agreed to come on the show in the hallways of the East-West School of International Studies (East-West) in Flushing, Queens, where Paul Allison teaches English. 

After inviting his principal, the founding principal of East-West, Ben Sherman onto this episode of TTT, Paul asked Ben who he knows in Japan who we could invite into the conversation. Ben immediately thought of Alan Bergman "a guy that I went to grad school with in Tokyo." Alan who teaches at a university in Tokyo, in turn, put us in touch with Eric Bossieux, providing us with this introduction:

Eric is originally from Louisiana. His father was a pilot with Japan Airlines, so Eric went to international high school in Yokohama and to Sophia University in Tokyo. He does consulting and translation work, and he has done translations for TEPCO (the company that runs the reactor in Fukushima) of their operating manuals for hydroelectric and nuclear power plants.

Rounding out this list of guests are two students, seniors from East-West, Martha and Christian.

This is the middle of three webcasts/podcasts that we've done so far with teachers (and we hope others) in Japan since the earthquake and tsunami on March 11. Our first conversation took place the week before: Teachers Teaching Teachers #239 - Bringing the crises in Japan into our classes: Dave Mammen, Kim Cofino, and Scott Lo -03.16.11. Last week, on April 6th, we spoke again with Eric Bossieux and Kim Cofino. Look for that conversation in the upcoming TTT #242.

We plan to continue to talk about these issues, questions, assessments of the situation, and ways we can help. What can we learn and teach now and in the future about the Great Earthquake and Tsunami of 2011?

(Image from U.S. Navy on Wikipedia)

Click Read more to see a copy of the chat that was happening during the webcast.

20:49:43 SusanEttenheim: hi martha
20:50:38 SusanEttenheim: hi
20:50:40 Martha: Hello
20:50:59 Paul Allison: hi
20:51:16 Paul Allison: http://paulallison.tumblr.com/post/4035816062/the-conversation-on-teachi...
20:51:21 Paul Allison: http://www.tti-jpn.com/TTi/Blog/Entries/2011/3/3_Hello%2C_again..html
20:54:14 Martha: Mr. Sherman's gonna be on?
21:00:25 Paul Allison: Yes Martha.
21:00:48 Paul Allison: We will be calling you in soon
21:00:53 Martha: okay
21:06:20 PeggyG: where's the audio stream tonight?
21:07:44 Paul Allison: We're still getting set up.
21:07:48 PeggyG: ok thanks
21:08:41 Sheila: Topic?
21:09:03 PeggyG: Hi Sheila-continuing the conversation started last week about Japan
21:09:13 PeggyG: http://paulallison.tumblr.com/
21:09:20 Sheila: Thanks so much!
21:09:20 SusanEttenheim: can you hear us?
21:09:38 PeggyG: can't hear yet
21:09:40 Sheila: I can't, but it could be my end.
21:10:11 PeggyG: says server is currently down-doesn't show streaming yet
21:10:19 PeggyG: http://64.34.251.15:8002/
21:10:20 Sheila: icecast?
21:10:28 PeggyG: shoutcast I think
21:10:44 Sheila: Icecast shows server is connected.
21:10:53 PeggyG: Icecast seems a little glitchy
21:10:57 Sheila: I think?
21:10:57 Paul Allison: Susan is trying to connect.
21:11:05 Paul Allison: Any suggestions?
21:11:09 SusanEttenheim: sit tight everyone - I'm going to reboot' be right back
21:11:11 Chris Sloan: I have to step away for a moment.  I'll be right back.
21:11:32 Paul Allison: Hi Sheila.
21:11:51 Sheila: Hi Paul. Ports were changed last week or so.
21:11:55 PeggyG: not sure what to try with so many changes
21:12:14 Sheila: 8000 for icecast and 8002 for shoutcast, I believe.
21:12:29 PeggyG: even the information page seems to be moved???
21:12:52 PeggyG: found the info page--wasn't logged in
21:12:57 Sheila: @PeggyG I tried the play button on the icecast and now I can't stop it.
21:13:09 Sheila: Hmmm?
21:13:15 PeggyG: it doesn't even work for me whether I click on play or pause :-(
21:13:27 PeggyG: just keep clicking :-)
21:13:39 Paul Allison: Susan is re-starting.
21:13:56 PeggyG: what are you hearing on it--I'm not hearing anything on Icecast whether I click play or pause
21:13:58 Paul Allison: Martha. Can you ask Christian to join us in the chat room?
21:14:08 Martha: sure
21:14:33 Paul Allison: Hi newsjunkie
21:14:39 PeggyG: maybe you should use ustream?
21:14:44 Sheila: nothing. I like the idea of the icecast though. Lots easier to use as a newbie.
21:14:47 Paul Allison: Susan is confident...
21:14:54 PeggyG: terrific
21:14:54 Paul Allison: getting ready now.
21:14:59 Paul Allison: Sorry folks.
21:15:03 Sheila: Go Susan!  :)
21:15:13 Sheila: We've all been there!
21:15:38 SusanEttenheim: hi all ok should be broadcasting now
21:15:59 Paul Allison: Hi Christan
21:16:04 CFlores: Hello
21:16:07 Paul Allison: what's your skypename again?
21:16:11 Martha: Christian!!! =D
21:16:13 PeggyG: still says server is down and not hearing anything
21:16:27 CFlores: Its: itsmedavid17xp
21:17:14 SusanEttenheim: can you hear us now?
21:17:18 PeggyG: no
21:17:20 sheila: no
21:17:35 PeggyG: server is down message
21:18:57 PeggyG: want to try ustream?
21:19:57 SusanEttenheim: hi all any sound?
21:20:01 PeggyG: no
21:20:04 tmarble: no
21:20:20 SusanEttenheim: peggy can you ustream for us?
21:20:31 PeggyG: Maybe Sheila can??
21:20:36 SusanEttenheim: sheila?
21:20:40 sheila: Give me a minute.
21:20:45 PeggyG: I haven't done it before
21:21:31 CFlores: Mr. Allison I do not see you online in my Skype account
21:22:20 PeggyG: I'm working on learning how to do the streaming but I don't want to practice on a "real" show yet
21:24:53 SusanEttenheim: all - we lost chris but we're trying to get him back
21:24:53 PeggyG: hearing it now on ustream :-)
21:24:59 sheila: Paul or Susan to add me to the conversation
21:25:10 SusanEttenheim: the skype conversation has started but we're still trying to get the audio goind
21:25:12 SusanEttenheim: going
21:25:14 sheila: kmno4s
21:25:23 PeggyG: coming in great Sheila
21:25:35 sheila: I am streaming.
21:25:50 PeggyG: go ahead and sing :-)
21:26:05 PeggyG: can only hear your voice Sheila
21:26:19 newsjunkie: Hi, I am Miranda from the Columbia Journalism School. I haven't done a skype conversation before, but my username is tetrisanda
21:26:22 SusanEttenheim: ok all sheila is ustreaming for us now
21:26:26 SusanEttenheim: can you hear now?
21:26:35 PeggyG: not hearing the skype voices yet
21:26:43 SusanEttenheim: hi miranda you should be able to hear here but we're having some trouble tonight
21:26:46 PeggyG: just Sheila
21:26:57 sheila: now?
21:26:58 PeggyG: hearing all now
21:27:10 PeggyG: woo hoo!! Thanks Sheila
21:27:18 SusanEttenheim: thank you sheila!!!
21:27:36 PeggyG: hello everyone-I'm a retired elementary principal in Phoenix AZ
21:27:39 sheila: np!
21:28:07 SusanEttenheim: newsjunkie can you hear now?
21:28:15 sheila: I'm a 7th grade science teacher in NH.
21:28:45 PeggyG: Is this Ben Sherman speaking?
21:29:03 Paul Allison: This is Alan Bergman.
21:29:07 PeggyG: ok thanks
21:29:31 PeggyG: wow! 3 days! and very stressful days I'm sure
21:29:46 newsjunkie: yes, i can hear on ustream
21:30:07 SusanEttenheim: great - thank you for joining us! please introduce yourself again!
21:30:36 PeggyG: what great connections to last week's guests!
21:30:52 newsjunkie: I'm Miranda, a Columbia Journalism School student in a covering education class. I'm interested in how NYC teachers in particular are incorporating the developments in Japan in their classes.
21:31:10 Paul Allison: Hi Miranda.
21:31:26 SusanEttenheim: glad you could join us! How did you find us?
21:31:58 newsjunkie: through Twitter/through Katherine Schulten at the NYT
21:32:06 SusanEttenheim: great!
21:32:18 SusanEttenheim: are you in the new program with Jeff Jarvis?
21:32:41 newsjunkie: That's cuny :-) but I applied there too :-)
21:32:51 SusanEttenheim: ohhh right - sorry!
21:33:03 SusanEttenheim: Pierre Levy is there right?
21:33:21 Paul Allison: http://ewsis.org/principal_letter
21:33:28 newsjunkie: not sure, is that a teacher or student?
21:34:04 PeggyG: I'm not familiar with a concept paper to apply for a job. What is that?
21:34:37 tmarble: hi, i am a second grade school teacher in southern california.
21:34:45 SusanEttenheim: welcome tmarble!
21:34:57 SusanEttenheim: how did you find us? are you talking about Japan in your class?
21:35:02 PeggyG: hi tmarble! Great to have you here. Got a late start but we're on a roll now
21:35:08 SusanEttenheim: Do you all know about the East West School?
21:35:13 SusanEttenheim: ewis.org
21:35:24 SusanEttenheim: haha thanks peggy!
21:35:30 Paul Allison: http://ewsis.org/principal_letter
21:35:48 tmarble: actually i am on here for a class assignment to clear my credential.
21:35:49 SusanEttenheim: they were rolling but we just had no sound until sheila rescued us - this edtechtalk community is awesome!
21:35:57 SusanEttenheim: welcome tmarble!
21:36:17 SusanEttenheim: was our "public conversation" on a list that you got? Where is your program?
21:37:22 PeggyG: I'm interested in hearing their perspective on the accuracy of the news Japan vs US versions
21:37:41 tmarble: it was an e-mail from my tech professor
21:38:16 PeggyG: it's so hard to know what to believe in the news!
21:40:28 PeggyG: that nuclear panic is very far reaching--even in the US
21:40:48 Gail Desler: Hi Peggy - agreeing with you re. panic
21:40:54 PeggyG: Hi Gail
21:41:02 SusanEttenheim: hi gail!
21:41:14 PeggyG: http://ewsis.org/principal_letter  Ben Sherman is one of the guests tonight
21:41:17 Gail Desler: Hi Susan
21:41:52 PeggyG: weren't US folks advised to leave if they lived within 50 miles of the reactors?
21:44:39 sheila: What? I grew up near Boston!  
21:44:56 PeggyG: the question seems to be what really IS a dangerous level
21:44:59 sheila: Who knew!
21:45:41 sheila: Short memories - so true!
21:46:17 PeggyG: sometimes we only "half" know something and "half" understand it so it's no wonder we can't remember it!
21:47:30 PeggyG: the news networks are arguing with each other
21:47:37 sheila: Personal connections make for longer term connection/impact on us.
21:47:53 Gail Desler: 1st grade teacher in my district made my day today - she needed a little help with a movie her students had made - for the children of Sendai, Japan. It's called "Ants in Your Pants" and is guaranteed to bring a smile to all who view this piece
21:48:26 sheila: Even sounds cute!  :)
21:48:27 PeggyG: very interesting point! crisis that will be resolved...
21:48:42 PeggyG: that sounds adorable Gail!
21:49:09 Gail Desler: The students wanted to do something.  Sharing a lesson (that actually had nothing to do with earthquake, tsunami, etc) was their answer
21:49:26 PeggyG: good advice from Eric
21:49:31 sheila: Wonderful Gail.
21:50:06 Gail Desler: It truly is an example of transforming learning to action - but at an age-appropriate level
21:53:16 PeggyG: that's a really interesting observation about how responsive the Japanese are to pitch in to help solve the problem-very enlightening!
21:53:29 SusanEttenheim: wow how interesting that the Japanese people could cut back 20% so easily!
21:53:50 PeggyG: we can't even get people to drive their cars less in the US
21:55:45 PeggyG: why were we hearing reports on CNN about how many of the Japanese were losing faith in the facts they were getting from their govt?
21:56:17 tmarble: i teach at a private school, the parents put a fund together to send over to japan. it was received with open arms. i know people tend to bond together through a crisis but Japan has been a great example, not only to our students, but us teachers as well.
21:56:50 PeggyG: great example tmarble!
21:57:45 PeggyG: are the nuclear reactors outdated?
21:57:48 tmarble: thanks, i wish we could do more though.
21:59:17 PeggyG: everything helps! no matter how small we think it is...
21:59:18 Gail Desler: @tmargle - Japan Paper Crane project looks like a great way for students to make a difference - http://studentsrebuild.org/japan/
22:00:13 PeggyG: that's what I was hearing about the old technology
22:01:01 tmarble: what do you feel is an age appropriate level to be speaking to your students about this?
22:01:20 tmarble: what a neat website....
22:01:41 PeggyG: lots of instant experts these days :-)
22:05:13 SusanEttenheim: let me throw that back to the chat - are there areas not appropriate to study?
22:06:00 PeggyG: 6 year olds don't understand enough to not just be afraid--learn what they know from their parents who are watching the news
22:06:59 PeggyG: they see the tragedy on TV with very visual images and Scott Lo last week in his radio show mentioned about protecting kids from seeing so much on the TV
22:07:09 SusanEttenheim: peggy - say more.. that means what when we translate that to the classroom?
22:07:18 SusanEttenheim: tmarble.. you
22:07:22 SusanEttenheim: you're thinking?
22:07:29 PeggyG: I think there is a difference about what you can/should talk about with different age groups
22:07:37 SusanEttenheim: your thinking sorry - doing too many things at once ;)
22:08:07 PeggyG: the Japanese tragedy is both nuclear and earthquake
22:08:09 SusanEttenheim: peggy how does that match up with childrens' questions?
22:08:37 tmarble: my situation is difficult as i teach at a private schoool where the parents are sensitive to worldly issues. BUt whats happens when they start asking questions. I am in my first year teaching and appreciate all the feed back.
22:08:37 sheila: Students watch and learn from the adults. Modelling is important
22:09:10 PeggyG: many parents feels that certain things should only be discussed at home and not at school
22:09:18 SusanEttenheim: do you think questions in Cal are different from questions in other parts of the US?
22:09:29 tmarble: my situation exactly
22:09:32 SusanEttenheim: interesting peggy..
22:09:55 tmarble: susan, no i do not believe so
22:09:55 PeggyG: not really Susan--think it is more based on developmental readiness and not where they live in the country
22:10:19 SusanEttenheim: tmarble you are hearing this belongs at home and not school too?
22:10:22 PeggyG: remember all of the controversy about broadcasting the President's back to school speech to all school kids. Many parents objected
22:10:26 SusanEttenheim: why do you think that's so?
22:10:48 SusanEttenheim: wow peggy how do these two things connect? - how interesting
22:11:12 PeggyG: parents want to control what their children hear/see/learn in school based on their own values/beliefs
22:11:15 tmarble: susan, yes i am. I am truly torn on what i should be doing.
22:12:26 PeggyG: I don't think parents object to helping any way we can for those families who are suffering in Japan
22:12:36 SusanEttenheim: so interesting! so glad you can share these ideas tonight
22:13:01 PeggyG: Newseum is a great site!
22:13:09 sheila: I still think there's some connection with 9/11 and being hesitant of talking too much or showing too much.
22:13:12 SusanEttenheim: I LOVE newseum!!!
22:13:14 PeggyG: http://www.newseum.org./todaysfrontpages/flash/
22:13:15 tmarble: I was not sure what to expect tonight but i really enjoyed the discussion and will be taking a lot with me.
22:13:29 SusanEttenheim: we should get someone from newseum on next week!
22:13:46 sheila: Oh, good idea!
22:13:48 PeggyG: even when you read the perspectives from many different countries you still need to decide which you think is true and accurate
22:14:00 SusanEttenheim: so glad - please join us any wednesday evening - same time same place!
22:15:10 PeggyG: the impact of these natural disasters continues for years after the disaster
22:15:40 SusanEttenheim: so true peggy!
22:16:04 PeggyG: this has been really enlightening to hear these personal perspectives from educators in Japan! thanks so much for arranging this!
22:16:22 SusanEttenheim: yes - thank you Paul and Ben!!
22:16:23 sheila: And it's always the thing the students will remember, not the content!
22:16:33 PeggyG: definitely!
22:17:01 sheila: Personal connections - we are not alone.
22:17:52 PeggyG: that point is really true! people come together in times of crisis--9/11 is a perfect example
22:18:33 sheila: Routines help!
22:18:40 PeggyG: yes!
22:18:52 PeggyG: not really time to think about alternatives!
22:19:01 PeggyG: just have to act quickly
22:21:25 PeggyG: nice summary Martha :-)
22:21:55 sheila: Great show!
22:21:57 SusanEttenheim: thanks for joining us everyone!
22:22:08 PeggyG: great conversation! thanks!
22:25:04 sheila: http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/13523544
22:27:35 sheila: That's the link to the show tonight.