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Vietnam comes to Indiana Schools
  • | Newslink Indiana | March 27, 2010 02:46 PM

 

Heather Harvey with a Vietnam native.
BSU students explore the Vietnam countryside.

When most people travel to Vietnam, they do not have the intention of writing a textbook for students to use in the 7th grade. However, a group of Ball State students who took part in an immersive learning experience last summer did just that.

Gerald Waite, an instructor of anthropology, advised the group of students last June to the southeastern country. Each student was responsible for almost six months of pre-research to prepare themslves for the trip. The students were then in charge of writing a chapter in the book, "A Day with Mimi."

Before the trip took place, Waite partnered with the Indiana Board of Education and 7th grade teachers to fulfill the state's teaching standards. About 20 to 30 teachers in the state now use the book along with a prepared DVD and lesson plans to help their teachings of Vietnam.

However, there was one main objective for the student's textbook. They wanted to show that there is more to Vietnam and the United State's history than just a war.

"It is my goal to educate people about the real Vietnam," Waite said.

"It's the real Vietnam culture," student Vanessa Wirth said. "It's an amazing place. People are eager to see you and there is no resentment. They're ready to move on and we should be too."

Vietnam was a real shock, said Heather Harvey, who also went on the trip.

"The poor in our country are rich compared to the people who are poor in Vietnam," Harvey said.

"It was really important to help the students," Waite said. "The heat, the foods, the sights, the sounds, and even the smells were all new."

The book is available for purchase online or in the Anthropology Department at Ball State.

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