Accessing current news about East Asia is possible in person by attending the many museums and college events, by going online and just by turning the TV on.
I could not attend this event endorsed by UCLA http://international.ucla.edu/asia/events/showevent.asp?eventid=8974
But instead I saw on KCET
How should Japan deal with China’s raising power?
I was taking notes on key points as the show was being aired.
As I straggled to write all the important points, I realized how crucial it is for students to learn to take notes and grab the most important elements of any discourse. Trying to take quick notes on the documentary made me realize that I need to have the students practice more note taking strategies. Documentaries are created to give the most information in the least amount of time. They are packed with details and are provided at a fast pace. The following are the points that I was able to annotate. Not enough if I had to develop a profound paper out of my rushed notes.
Maritime Boundary
Japan’s Self-defense forces, air, submarine, boats for close monitoring and supposedly allowed by international law and as a matter of duty.
Council of political and economic affairs in china
Retires officers are used for their experience
Chinas military power and build up
Expanding its naval exercises in response Japan request having in dept and substantial talks to understand its intentions on intensifying its maritime advancement
East China Sea could develop into a contingency
March 2011 presence of military strategies
Japanese make a comment one mistake on behavior or reckless discipline can cause serial consequences
Argument of distance between fleets and who sends surveillance crafts to check on the each other, like sonar equipment can provoke a confrontation
Request to be cautions and keep activities in check; they are keeping an eye in each other.
China is inviting Japanese officials to come and visit China
China explains that because of China’s growing and expansion, its presence is more up to date because they need to explore their resources on their local waters and that Japan should not worry about china accessing the resources that have been there and they where not exploiting before, such as the search for oil.
Difficult elements, sensational journalism, caution about public opinion
Concerned about erratically opinions on the internet
Priority on conversation and clarify the population about how much intervention is needed form them

Students have the same problem and I believe teaching them to take good notes could be done with any topic like ASIA :o)