Introduction

My name is Anne and I’m a second year graduate student in the department of education at UCSB. I am specializing in teaching and learning science. I am interested in technology and education for several reasons some of which include the ideas that: 1) modern technology can be used to enhanced education, 2) we live in a world of technology where being technologically literate is a critical aspect of being able to communicate and function in society, 3) technology should be accessible as a tool for creativity and learning, rather than a barrier to learning.

I am currently experiencing technology myself in a new and interesting way. The reason I am not physically in class for the first few weeks is that I am in China with a group of chemistry students from UCSB who are learning to use a TEM (transmitted electron microscope) to create images of materials smaller than I could ever imagine possible, at atomic levels. This technology, in fact Suzhou, China in general is the epicenter of new ideas in chemistry and physics. The new part of this city, called Industrial Park, was built for science and I am living in a section of the city called education town which is right at its center. It is not a coincidence either; I toured the government building and viewed the plans for the city’s expansion. Most of the tour involved plans to couple technology and education as well as technology and society.

While I am at the center of technological innovation, I am also barred from using certain aspects of technology. My friend is posting this blog entry for me because the Chinese government does not allow people to access any blogs online (FYI: they have also blocked youtube and facebook). I guess this means that students in China do not have the same incredible opportunities that are afforded our class. This experience in general has me thinking about technology and education in a very different way.