Nov 24 2008
Not many pictures of unusual landscapes or wild regions these last days. I have however a good reason: I got too much work. Indeed, I was sent in China to teach web development to Chinese students. So, I can not travel a lot across the country. Moreover, my company has to finish some contracts, and I have to accomplish these missions, wherever I can be on the planet. ;)
One of the most noticeable advantage of Chinese students is that they are very quiet. You will not have to make some reminds about discipline, which is very pleasant compare to some French campus (special wink to my students of Orléans (-:). Yet, this advantage is also a disadvantage, because of the desolating lack of reaction in the classroom. I had to seriously modify my way of teaching, which is very participative: students take part into their formation. Never any question, no smile to my jokes (which is a little bit destabilizing), and so on. And I will not mention my adventure when I sent a student to correct a practical exercise at the blackboard: more than 30 minutes to write a dozen of lines of code. :/
It would have been lead me to a crucial introspection if the situation was not the same with the other teachers. Are my pedagogical skills not sufficient? But it is not the case. After all, I have been chosen because I had the correct abilities. And I have some very brilliant students. I am wondering if I will not hire them for a part-time internship in my company. With a complementary formation, they would be perfect elements. Yet the fear of China and its talent to analyse, recopy and optimize all our western creations has took me over. What will happen if all our skills and ideas were integrated by the wrong people?
Do not worry: I will soon post some pictures. Even if I were really busy these last days, I will go to Shanghaï next week-end, and then I will visit Beijing. So, be patient, and you will enjoy all the beauty of China. Really… :)