Members of Wareham High School's Global Education Team spent the morning of Thursday, April 12 learning about the differences between American and Chinese styles of education.

The opportunity was provided by using the internet phone service "Skype" to talk with School Superintendent Dr. Barry Rabinovitch while he was in China on a self-financed trip to learn about the Chinese educational system.

Students of the Global Education Team asked Rabinovitch questions ranging from practical details of his flight to China's technological prowess. Students learned, to their surprise, that though the U.S. is currently technologically ahead of China, China is quickly catching up.

Rabinovitch also explained the test-oriented nature of the Chinese educational system. Rabinovitch explained that Chinese school officials would like to learn from the American style of education that is less test-oriented, while American school officials are learning to become more test oriented.

"We are on opposite sides of a pendulum and we are meeting in the middle," Rabinovitch said.

Rabinovitch was invited to China as part of a program promoting the cultural exchange of educators.

While in China, Rabinovitch attended a premier comprehensive public school in Beijing, the National Day School. Rabinovitch has also attended a migrant worker school, and will be visiting various schools throughout next week.

Students of the Global Education Team, entitled Global Ambassadors, include Sam Brogioli, Tom Lemiuex, Rachel Bonfiglio, Hailley Crete, Malange DePina, Amber Filkins, Tayla Silva, Mason Vasconcellos, Emily Cummings, Katie Modlowski, Emily Bacchiocchi, Madison St. Julien and Sophia An.

The team’s mission statement is “to encourage Wareham Public School’s students to be globally minded in order to prepare them for the 21st century.”

Wareham students are planning another Skype session with Dr. Rabinovitch at a Chinese high school with the goal to create a potential sister school in China. The school’s name is School Number Seven.

The Global Education Team looks forward to future experiences with Chinese students and learning more about the cultural differences between the two educational systems.