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Question Index

Final Project Notice

1.  Why can't we turn the Final Project Notice question NO.7 from NO to YES?

Peer Review Process

2.  I want to volunteer as a project reviewer.

Registration

3.  Help. My CyberFair Project Category is 3 and I can't change it. How can I change it from 3 to something else?

General Questions

4.  How do we describe our "local community"?

5.  How can we become an CyberFair affiliate for our region?

Peer Review Process

6.  Must all the students participate in the Peer Review?

Awards

7.  What awards are given in the CyberFair?

Bibliography

8.  How do we create a bibliography?

certificate

9.  How do we get our project or volunteer reviewer CERTIFICATE of PARTICIPATION

Final Project Notice

10.  How do we post our final project once it is complete?

11.  We didn't submit our final project notice in time. Can we still be included in the peer review?

12.  In what field should I include the phrase "PROJECT-IN-PROGRESS"

General Questions

13.  Our project fits into more than one category. Which category should we choose?

14.  The link for one of your projects no longer works. Please provide the current URL.

15.  Where can I find a listing of schools who are past CyberFair winners?

16.  Are homeschooled children eligible to participate in CyberFair?

17.  Can more than one team from a school participate.

18.  We can't find our school listed in the final projects.

19.  We want to withdraw - we can't complete our project in time

20.  How long can we continue making revisions to our CyberFair Entry web site?

21.  When we make revisions, do we need to resubmit to CyberFair?

22.  Can you please extend the deadline for us to finish our project?

23.  If we missed the deadline to submit our project, are we still eligible for a prize?

24.  How can I see past winners?

25.  What should we tell the media about our project?

26.  Why can't we see the changes we made to our project registration?

27.  Are there are any sample permission and consent forms signed by participating students and their parents.

28.  We thought each school could only submit one project?

29.  When will the NEW theme for CyberFair be announced?

30.  Why can't we access or see our checklist when we log in?

31.  Why did some schools submit multiple projects this year?

32.  What is the purpose of CyberFair?

33.  Thank you for all the great things you do for kids, teachers and schools!

34.  I am interested in organizing a regional CyberFair. What do I need to do?

35.  Is it okay to make changes on the web pages now that the judging is over?

36.  Are we invited to present our project at the World Future Society conference?

Peer Review Process

37.  Instructions for printing the Evaluation Rubric

38.  I'm having trouble connecting to a site I'm supposed to review.

39.  I don't have time to complete my peer review assignments.

40.  How should I evaluate section F: Technical Multimedia if there is no multimedia?

41.  My students are too young to understand the rubric.

42.  My students can't help with the peer review process. What should I do?

43.  When do we receive our peer review assignments?

44.  WHEN and WHERE can we see our project's scores from the peer review?

45.  The students did not produce the web pages.

46.  We are unable to submit our reviews because it is the deadline.

47.  Low Score, unfair score, review process, why we received our scores, scoring process, How do you assure that the peer review process is fair

48.  I can't find a bibliography in the project I'm reviewing.

49.  I have submited all required reviews. Why isn't the project checklist box for peer reviews checked off.

50.  One of my projects' web page is in a foreign language. How do I evaluate it.

Project Narrative

51.  How do we make the bibliography page?

52.  How do I submit the Project Narrative

Registration

53.  Why doesn't our CyberFair entry show up in the participants list?

54.  Why can't I login ??(I'm registered)

55.  How do I register a project for CyberFair?

56.  How can we change our category and/or team members?

57.  How do I change my LOGIN or PASSWORD or EMAIL ADDRESS?

58.  Can we re-submit a project that we were working on last year?

Technical

59.  What software program should I use to create my web pages?

60.  May we use a web page editor to create our pages or are we required to write our own HTML?

Web Space

61.  Do you provide web space for our CyberFair project?

62.  Where can we put our old CyberFair web project, now that Global Schoolhouse no longer provides web hosting.


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Category: Final Project Notice

1.  Why can't we turn the Final Project Notice question NO.7 from NO to YES?

Question 7 must be answered yes before you can submit your final project notice. However, it is not permanently recorded any place... every time you go back to submit your final notice you must re-set it to "Yes"

If you answer YES to questions 1-6 and your project narrative is approved, then your final project notice will be accepted and your project will be eligible for final reviewing.

Congratulations, and best wish for success.

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Category: Peer Review Process

2.  I want to volunteer as a project reviewer.

We invite adult members of the Internet Community to review and evaluate CyberFair entries. If you would like to be an approved CyberFair Web Project Reviewer (and you are not already a registered CyberFair participant), please sign up to participate.

http://www.globalschoolnet.org/gsncf/reviewer.cfm

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Category: Registration

3.  Help. My CyberFair Project Category is 3 and I can't change it. How can I change it from 3 to something else?

You cannot change your project category because you have entered it as an NGO PROJECT. This always defaults your category to # 3.

If your project is NOT an NGO PROJECT then you must go back and edit your Project Proposal.

Here's how:

Log in to http://www.globalschoolnet.org/gsncf/projects/

The the box containing the description of your project, LOOK AT the "Project Proposal:" line.

CLICK ON the "Click Here" link to Edit your project proposal.

In the line "Is this an NGO Project?" CLICK ON NO.

Then CHANGER YOUR PROJECT CATEGORY to what you want.

Finally, CLICK ON the Update your Project Registration button at the bottom of the page.

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Category: General Questions

4.  How do we describe our "local community"?

You decide where your local community is. It can be your neighborhood or your city or your region.

Below is an example of a good local community description:

Encinitas is a coastal beach city in San Diego County, California. Located within Southern California, it is approximately 25 miles (40 km) north of San Diego in North County and about 95 miles (153 km) south of Los Angeles. The largest single industry in the city is the growing of ornamental flowers, particularly poinsettias.

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5.  How can we become an CyberFair affiliate for our region?

Thank you for your interest in serving as a CyberFair affiliate for your region.

State, county, or national educational organizations, community technology centers, or institutions of higher learning typically facilitate regional affiliate programs -- and usually assume the following responsibilities:

* Identify and enlist the help of local stakeholders who will benefit from the CyberFair program (e.g. representatives from local schools, universities, parent-teacher organizations, county offices of education, chamber of commerce).

* Determine how local stakeholders will assess the success of the CyberFair program (e.g. number of participants, quality of CyberFair projects, student achievement measures, public relations)

* Articulate the ways in which CyberFair activities support local content standards and educational requirements.

* Generate awareness of the CyberFair program through local print, broadcast media (radio and television), and social media announcements.

* Generate awareness of the CyberFair program through on-site presentations and teacher or student workshops.

* Provide support to local participants via email, phone, or Skype.

* Help to keep participants on task and to complete their assignments on time.

* Develop a plan for local recognition of student achievement (e.g certificates, prizes, awards ceremony, press releases).

* Encourage the best local projects to enter the International Schools CyberFair competition.

Please provide the following:

1. Name of your organization 2. Website for your organization 3. Name of person responsible 4. Position of person responsible 5. Email address of person responsible

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Category: Peer Review Process

6.  Must all the students participate in the Peer Review?

Yes. All the students who contributed to the project should also participate in the Peer Review.

See complete instructions at: http://www.globalschoolnet.org/gsncf/rubric/#steps

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Category: Awards

7.  What awards are given in the CyberFair?

Each school or organization that completes a final entry will receive a special CyberFair Certificate to proudly display in their community. Those who win Platinum, Gold, Silver or Honorable Mention will be noted on their certificate.

CyberFair students win by:

-Learning to collaborate with fellow students and their community

-Learning how to conduct original research

-Learning to create a Web project

-Learning how to evaluate their work and the work of others

-Learning about other communities around the world

-Learning how to be ambassadors to showcase their work -------------------------------------------------------

CERTIFICATES OF PARTICIPATION for this year's program (for both Projects and volunteer reviewers) will be available on the dates shown in the time line at http://www.gsn.org/gsncf/timeline.cfm

To print out your PROJECT Certificate you must log into your project checklist at http://www.gsn.org/gsncf/projects.

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Category: Bibliography

8.  How do we create a bibliography?

Please read item 15 in the official rules at: http://www.gsn.org/gsncf/rules.cfm

Your project must include a bibliography page that cites the sources for your project's information.

When you complete your project narrative, you must include a link to that page.

Therefore, you should create your bibliography page before you attempt to complete the narrative and include that link in your narrative. However, the bibliography does not need to be completed in final form until peer review begins.

The Citation Machine link below will help you generate appropriate bibliographic entries for your bibliography page. Just copy and paste the citations into your HTML editor and make sure that the URL's included are hot links that work when you click on them.

Your bibliography must also list the names of the people who helped you to assemble your Web pages. If you received no help, your bibliography should state that.

Citation Machine: http://www.landmark-project.com/citation_machine/

Cyberfair Rules: http://www.gsn.org/gsncf/rules.cfm#bibliography

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Category: certificate

9.  How do we get our project or volunteer reviewer CERTIFICATE of PARTICIPATION

CERTIFICATES OF PARTICIPATION for this year's program (for both Projects and volunteer reviewers) will be available on the dates shown in the time line at http://www.gsn.org/gsncf/timeline.cfm

CyberFair 2019 CERTIFICATES OF PARTICIPATION are ready to print.

1. To do so, login your timeline. http://www.gsn.org/gsncf/timeline.cfm

2. Personalize certificates by entering individual student names.

3. To download and print certificates, you need a PDF reader, such as Adobe Reader, which is free. https://get.adobe.com/reader/

If you have problems generating or printing your personalized Certificate, contact us at: http://www.gsn.org/gsncf/contact.cfm . PLEASE INCLUDE YOUR PROJECT or REVIEWER ID Number.

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Category: Final Project Notice

10.  How do we post our final project once it is complete?

After you have finished your project Web, you must do two things to qualify for final judging:

--- Complete your Project Narrative This is where you include the actual link to your project URL.

--- Submit your Final Entry Notice This is where you certify that you have complied with all of the rules of this program.

To complete these two requirements, log into your checklist at http://www.gsh.org/gsh/cf/projects/index.cfm

Don't forget: To qualify for for final judging, you must ALSO submit six peer reviews of other projects.

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11.  We didn't submit our final project notice in time. Can we still be included in the peer review?

We make every effort to accommodate people who have problems getting their projects ready for final judging.

However, our final cut-off date comes when we email the peer review assignments the day before peer review begins.

It takes us the entire week prior to the start of peer review to assign peer review assignments. Every team must be given 6 other projects to review. We try and match teams by age, and to ensure that each team has a variety of countries to evaluate.

This is a very time consuming and difficult process, but it ensures that every project will have enough valid reviews for us to determine the rankings for final judging.

After we email the assignments out, it is impossible for us to include any other projects in the process, since every team has received their peer review assignments... there are simply no more reviewers available to look at your project.

Therefore, while we would like to be able to help, there is nothing we can to do find reviewers for your project.

It's the same as when the ship leaves the dock or the train leaves the station... it can't stop to let you get on. You're too late.

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12.  In what field should I include the phrase "PROJECT-IN-PROGRESS"

We encourage you to submit your project as a project-in- progress. If you do so, and review 6 entries from other schools, you will still get the benefit of the educational experience.

Many teachers have told us that the peer review process and having their students work with the evaluation rubric was the most valuable part of the program.

However, if you do not submit a Final Project or a Project in Progress, we will keep you on the information mailing list for next year.

Project in Progress is designated in the "Final Project Notice" section. However, you must complete the narrative before you can do that.

We suggest you complete as many fields as you can in the narrative... this is a good "reflective" piece that will get your students thinking and talking about their learning experience. Enter "Inc" for the items that you're not able or prepared to answer.

Then submit your narrative. The submit your final project notice, answer the yes/no certifications, and select "Project in Progress."

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Category: General Questions

13.  Our project fits into more than one category. Which category should we choose?

We have made the CyberFair categories very general, so they address the important themes of most communities. Please use your own judgement to select the category that best fits your project.

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14.  The link for one of your projects no longer works. Please provide the current URL.

We do not host or maintain these web projects that were entered in our CyberFair competition: that is the responsibilitie of the school or team that completed the project. All we have are the project descriptions that you can read.

We suggest you contact the school at their web site listed to ask about where this project Web site may currently be viewed.

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15.  Where can I find a listing of schools who are past CyberFair winners?

Current and past participants can be viewed at: http://www.globalschoolnet.org/gsncf/winners/

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16.  Are homeschooled children eligible to participate in CyberFair?

Absolutely! Homeschools are eligible to participate. Simply indicate that you are a homeschool when you register.

Sincerely,

CyberFair Help Desk cbhelp@globalschoolnet.org

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17.  Can more than one team from a school participate.

More than one team can participate, but they must all work on the same project, as only one project from each school can be submitted. As many students as possible are encouraged to contribute at a school. Students should work together to produce one integrated project.

Sincerely,

CyberFair Help Desk cbhelp@globalschoolnet.org

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18.  We can't find our school listed in the final projects.

Please be patient. We have hundreds of entries to approve. This is not an automated process. Each entry must be individually verified for completeness before we can approve it. Please check again in a day or two.

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19.  We want to withdraw - we can't complete our project in time

We encourage you to submit your project as a project-in- progress. If you do so, and review 6 entries from other schools, you will still get the benefit of the educational experience.

Many teachers have told us that the peer review process and having their students work with the evaluation rubric was the most valuable part of the program.

However, if you do not submit a Final Project or a Project in Progress, we will keep you on the information mailing list for next year.

Project in Progress is designated in the "Final Project Notice" section. However, you must complete the narrative before you can do that.

We suggest you complete as many fields as you can in the narrative... this is a good "reflective" piece that will get your students thinking and talking about their learning experience. Enter "Inc" for the items that you're not able or prepared to answer.

Then submit your narrative. The submit your final project notice, answer the yes/no certifications, and select "Project in Progress."

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20.  How long can we continue making revisions to our CyberFair Entry web site?

Please check the project timeline for all relevant deadlines, at http://www.globalschoolnet.org/gsncf/timeline.cfm

Please notice ESPECIALLY the deadlines for your PROJECT NARRATIVE and your FINAL PROJECT NOTICE. You must submit BOTH of these forms in order to qualify for final judging.

You may continue to work on your actual project until the first day of PEER REVIEW. When peer review begins, you may not make any further changes to your project Web.

All deadlines are midnight, California Standard Time, GMT/UTC -8.

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21.  When we make revisions, do we need to resubmit to CyberFair?

When revising a project entry web site, all revisions are made on the participant's web server. For the most part, we do not need to know what changes are made on the participant's web server.

However, if revisions are made to the project entry which CHANGES the information the participant previously provided to us (category, project title, cyberfair entry URL, etc.) then please let us know.

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22.  Can you please extend the deadline for us to finish our project?

The DEADLINE for accepting final project notices is stated in your TIMELINE. Please remember that all teams have problems and schedules that they have to deal with. We hope that your students will understand and remember that the true goal of CyberFair is NOT winning - the goal is learning! We cannot extend the deadline for several reasons:

1. We cannot show favoritism by giving special consideration to any team. That would make it unfair to other teams. Everyone must abide by the same rules and deadlines to make this a fair competition.

2. The review assignment process takes many days and review assignments are all sent out at the same time.

3. The deadline dates have been published for many months.

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23.  If we missed the deadline to submit our project, are we still eligible for a prize?

Unfortunately, if you miss the competition deadline (which is clearly posted), you will not be eligible to receive a prize. However, we doencourage schools to complete their projects. It is very rewarding for students to learn about their community and share that information with others by creating a web site.

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24.  How can I see past winners?

Past winners can be found at http://www.globalschoolhouse.org/gsh/cf/winners.html

However, due to the nature of the web, the URLs on some older projects may not work anymore.

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25.  What should we tell the media about our project?

You are encouraged to get in touch with the media and let them know you are participating in this project.

See our media tips at: http://www.globalschoolhouse.org/doors/info/getpr.html

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26.  Why can't we see the changes we made to our project registration?

You have successfully made the changes. However, you will not see the change on the live server until our moderator approves it -- which ususally takes 24 hours due to the time zone differences.

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27.  Are there are any sample permission and consent forms signed by participating students and their parents.

Acceptable Use Guidelines for Good Global Citizens

The use of the Internet as part of an educational program is a privilege, not a right, and inappropriate or unauthorized use or safety violations could result in revocation or suspension of that privilege. It is highly recommended that each student who has access the Internet be provided acceptable use training and shall have an acceptable use form, signed by a parent or legal guardian, on file.

Please refer to http://www.globalschoolnet.org/_sitewide/citizens.html

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28.  We thought each school could only submit one project?

In November 2004 a CyberFair Partners/Global Project-Based Learning meeting was held in Taiwan.

During that meeting, the CyberFair national partners discussed different things that could be done to improve the International CyberFair program.

One of the suggestions, which we agreed to implement, was to allow multiple entries per school - but, only one entry per category.

The rationale was that some schools have large numbers of students – sometimes more than 2,000 and that it was difficult for that many students to work on a single project. By allowing multiple entries per school – students would have a greater opportunity to get involved in all aspects of CyberFair – including conducting research and the Peer Review.

Due to the timing of this decision, we were not able to implement those corresponding changes on the website in time for 2005 competition. Therefore, because of the confusion -- and to be fair to ALL participants - we are increasing the number of winning projects this year.

You can view the official 2005 winners list at: http://www.globalschoolhouse.org/GSH/cf/winners.html

Thank you for your understanding -- and we encourage you to tells us about other changes that can be implemented that will improve the CyberFair program for 2006.

The theme for CyberFair 2006 is "Inspire and Unite!"

Projects should "shine the spotlight" on people, places, businesses and other things in their local community -- that serve to "inspire, motivate, and encourage positive change."

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29.  When will the NEW theme for CyberFair be announced?

Thank you for your interest in CyberFair. The NEW theme for CyberFair is announced each October when registration opens. Projects will be due in March and Peer Review takes place in April.

You are encouraged to join the Global SchoolNet social media pages which will inform you of upcoming news.

Please join us at:

(Facebook) http://www.facebook.com/GlobalSchoolNet (Twitter) https://twitter.com/globalschoolnet

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30.  Why can't we access or see our checklist when we log in?

When you try to access your checklist, the PROJECT STATUS states, "Awaiting Moderator Approval... check back later." Moderator approval usually takes less than 24 hours... often quite less.

Every time you make a change to your project or narrative, we check it over to make sure that everything we publish is appropriate and represents a legitimate project.

When it is approved, we send you an email notice with the moderator's action. If your project is approved, you will be able to access the checklist.

If your project is not approved, the checklist will not be available until you log back in, fix any problems mentioned by the moderator, and it is re-approved.

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31.  Why did some schools submit multiple projects this year?

Dear CyberFair 2005 Participants,

We are writing to let you know that the CyberFair 2005 winners list has been re-published -- and to give you additional details about the problem we encountered regarding multiple entries.

In November 2004 a CyberFair Partners/Global Project-Based Learning meeting was held in Taiwan.

During that meeting, the CyberFair national partners discussed different things that could be done to improve the International CyberFair program.

One of the suggestions, which we agreed to implement, was to allow multiple entries per school - but, only one entry per category.

The rationale was that some schools have large numbers of students – sometimes more than 2,000 and that it was difficult for that many students to work on a single project. By allowing multiple entries per school – students would have a greater opportunity to get involved in all aspects of CyberFair – including conducting research and the Peer Review.

Due to the timing of this decision, we were not able to implement those corresponding changes on the website in time for 2005 competition. Therefore, because of the confusion -- and to be fair to ALL participants - we are increasing the number of winning projects this year.

You can view the official 2005 winners list at: http://www.globalschoolhouse.org/GSH/cf/winners.html

Thank you for your understanding -- and we encourage you to tells us about other changes that can be implemented that will improve the CyberFair program for 2006.

The theme for CyberFair 2006 is "Inspire and Unite!"

Projects should "shine the spotlight" on people, places, businesses and other things in their local community -- that serve to "inspire, motivate, and encourage positive change."

Sincerely,

Dr. Yvonne Marie Andres

Al Rogers

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32.  What is the purpose of CyberFair?

CyberFair is an award-winning, authentic learning program used by schools and youth organizations around the world.

You can learn more about the International CyberFair competition at: http://GlobalSchoolNet.org/gsncf

* Projects are due in March of each year. * Winners are announced in May.

Youth conduct research about their local communities and then publish their findings on the World Wide Web. Recognition is given for the best projects in each of eight categories: local leaders, businesses, community organizations, historical landmarks, environment, music, art, and local specialties.

This program encourages youth to become ambassadors for their own local communities by working collaboratively with community members and using digital media tools to publish a Web site that displays what they have learned.

The annual contest has involved more than five million students from 45,00 schools across 100 countries and is considered the longest running international cyber event of its kind.

Competition judging takes place online, as students evaluate each others projects by using a web-based evaluation tool designed by Global SchoolNet.

REGISTER at http://GlobalSchoolNet.org/gsncf Sincerely,

CyberFair Help Desk

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33.  Thank you for all the great things you do for kids, teachers and schools!

Thank you very much! We always enjoy hearing from the students and teachers who participate in our project.

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34.  I am interested in organizing a regional CyberFair. What do I need to do?

Thank you for your interest in establishing a regional CyberFair affiliate.

State, county, or national educational organizations, community technology centers, or institutions of higher learning typically facilitate regional affiliate programs -- and usually assume the following responsibilities:

1. Identify and enlist the help of local stakeholders who will benefit from the CyberFair program (i.e. representatives from local schools, universities, parent-teacher organizations, county offices of education, chamber of commerce, etc.).

2. Determine how local stakeholders will assess the success of the CyberFair program (i.e. number of participants, quality of CyberFair projects, student achievement measures, public relations, etc.)

3. Articulate the ways in which CyberFair activities support local content standards and educational requirements.

4. Generate awareness of the CyberFair program through local print, broadcast media (radio and television) and electronic announcements.

5. Generate awareness of the CyberFair program through on-site presentations and teacher or student workshops.

6. Provide support to local participants via email and phone.

7. Help to keep participants on task and to complete their assignments on time.

8. Develop a plan for local recognition of student achievement (i.e. certificates, prizes, awards ceremony, press releases, etc.).

9. Encourage the best local projects to enter the International Schools CyberFair competition.

If you are interested in providing this kind of support in your region, please send us your complete contact information, including:

1. Organization Name

2. Organization Website URL

3. Coordinator Name

4. Coordinator Job Title

5. Phone Number

6. Postal Address

7. Email Address

8. Skype name

9. Coordinator qualifications

10. Describe the region that you would like to help support.

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35.  Is it okay to make changes on the web pages now that the judging is over?

Yes, definitely...we encourage you to continue to add to your website! Lots of people will view your project, since it is permanently liked to the Global SchoolNet website.

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36.  Are we invited to present our project at the World Future Society conference?

Your team would be welcomed to come to the World Future Society conference -- if you are able to pay your own way. Unfortunately, Global SchoolNet does not have funding to provide travel support.

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Category: Peer Review Process

37.  Instructions for printing the Evaluation Rubric

To print a good copy of the evaluation rubric:

1. Point your browser to the rubric found at http://www.gsh.org/gsh/cf/rubric/evalrubric.html

2. If your printer is cutting off the right side, find the setting in your browser which lets you change your font size. Reduce the size of your font to the lowest setting.

3. Use this copy to score your assigned projects, and then submit your scores.

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38.  I'm having trouble connecting to a site I'm supposed to review.

If you KNOW that your school has BLOCKED the ISP hosting the web project, please contact us with this information and we will attempt to replace this project assignment.

Otherwise, when you cannot connect to a URL it could be due to a number of problems:

1. Some school servers have problems staying up all the time. Send email to the teacher letting them know you are trying to review their site so they can make sure their technical people are on top of the problem.

2. The network connections to that site may be overloaded. Try earlier or later in the day and see if the connections may be better at a different time.

3. There may be a problem with the URL you are using. You may want to contact the teachers of the site you are reviewing to ask about this problem.

In any of the cases above, you should always try the site 1-2 times over a period of several days.

If you STILL cannot connect to this site, please give that site all zero's on the evaluation and make a note in the COMMENTS section that you were unable to connect to their site. Please include the kind of ERROR MESSAGE your browser was giving you and how many times you tried.

We will consider this problem and the causes of the problem when we are tabulating the scores.

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39.  I don't have time to complete my peer review assignments.

We understand the time constraints you're facing... unfortunately, we have found that it is impossible to select any period of time when somebody isn't effected with this kind of problem.

Students should always be involved in the process to the greatest extent possible: the process was designed for them as a learning experience.

However, the entire program also depends on every school submitting six reviews, which is why we require each final project to submit six reviews.

Therefore, our advice to you is to involve your students as much as you have time for, then you and your colleagues finish the review process yourselves so that every school receives all the reviews they're counting on.

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40.  How should I evaluate section F: Technical Multimedia if there is no multimedia?

It is not required that Web projects use multimedia resources (video, sound, etc.).

Therefore, a project should not be penalized in those items in the in Section F (Technical section of the evaluation rubric which assess whether multimedia resources work or not). In those instances, you should give the project a "5" for those items.

For instance, Item F-4 Technical: Multimedia resources Work states: "Multimedia resources, such as movies and sound, work properly on a variety of platforms and browsers when they are downloaded (give project a 5 if there are no multimedia resources)."

The purpose of this policy is to give full credit to all sites that use multimedia that work as well as to sites that don't use multimedia, and to penalize sites that use multimedia that fail to work as expected.

Another way to look at this question is to consider that icons and graphics can also be considered as part of "multimedia." If they are present and they show up, they can be considered to work. However, if there are no icons or graphics of any sort, they also should not be penalized and should be given full credit for those items in the technical section which evaluate the operation of multimedia.

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41.  My students are too young to understand the rubric.

The issue you raise has been tossed around in numerous discussions with primary teachers.

The problem is, every attempt to come up with vocabulary to do the job has failed.

In the past, the consensus of all grades K-4 teachers who have been involved in the CyberFair peer review is that your discussion with the students permits them to approach an understanding for each criteria, but you don't have to hold them rigidly accountable for applying all of the criteria.

We have two goals here:

1. Having your students participate as much as they can in the evaluation process so that they have a sense of involvement and can learn as much as they can about these things. You have to be the judge of when they have reached that goal within the limits of your time and their ability.

2. We also need reliable reviews from you so that your assigned sites are fairly evaluated. So, as the teacher, perhaps you will have to do an end-run around some of your students' evaluations and augment many of their judgements, and in the end score your assigned projects on a more knowledgeable basis.

Certainly, you can elicit and include comments from your students, which I'm sure the other sites would appreciate hearing.

In summary, you make this the best learning experience you can with them, but then submit the best reviews that we need from you. Possibly you can get your faculty to help with this in the end.

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42.  My students can't help with the peer review process. What should I do?

We urge you to involve your students in the reviewing process if at all possible... this is a wonderful learning opportunity. However, if time or logistics prevent them from completing the job, it is important that you finish the reviews yourself by the peer review deadline... the success of the judging process depends on everyone reviewing the sites they've been given.

Thus, as you can see, while this is a great learning opportunity for students, it is not mandatory that reviews be done by students. In your case, we would VERY MUCH like to have your input... it will be a valuable contribution to the review process.

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43.  When do we receive our peer review assignments?

Please check the official timeline for the dates of this year's peer review benchmarks: http://www.gsh.org/gsh/cf/_cfm/timeline.cfm

We will email you your peer review assignments on or before the day that peer review is scheduled to begin (GMT/UTC -8).

You can also log in at http://www.gsh.org/gsh/cf/reviewers/LOGIN/index.cfm to view your peer review assignments.

For more information about the peer review process, please read http://www.gsh.org/gsh/cf/rubric/index.html

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44.  WHEN and WHERE can we see our project's scores from the peer review?

Check the time line at http://www.gsn.org/gsncf/timeline.cfm for the date when scores will be available.

After the results of the competition are announced you can log into your project checklist at http://www.gsn.org/gsncf/projects to view your project's scores and comments.

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45.  The students did not produce the web pages.

Item 10 in our Rules (http://www.gsh.org/gsh/cf/rules.html#requirements, cited below) states that students need not do the actual web design and production. However, the teacher must certify that students have created all of the content. That is why our score heavily weights the content and process over the actual web design and functionality.

Rule 10 states:

All of the content of your CyberFair Web project must be created and completed by your students. You may solicit community volunteers to help with the technical aspects of producing Web pages and related audio/visual resources, and/or mounting them on a Web server. However, the content of the entry must be generated by your students. This is in keeping with the idea that CyberFair is not a Web design contest. The real emphasis of CyberFair is on the quality of learning and community relationships.

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46.  We are unable to submit our reviews because it is the deadline.

We have extended the time to submit reviews. Please try again.

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47.  Low Score, unfair score, review process, why we received our scores, scoring process, How do you assure that the peer review process is fair

We understand the importance of the review process. We know that the process is not perfect, but we work hard to ensure that every project is fairly reviewed.

These are the procedures we use to establish our finalists:

1) When possible we assign schools to review projects created by students within the same age range.

2) We do not allow schools to review projects in their same category.

3) At the close of Peer Review we create two finalist lists, based on BOTH the RAW and the ADJUSTED scores submitted by each reviewer. Adjusted scores attempt to reduce the effects of reviewers who score either harder or easier than the overall average of all reviewers. We consider and compare these two lists to establish our FIRST finalist list.

4) Next, at least two staff members review the scores for all top projects in each category. We INVALIDATE any unfair high or low score that could MOVE a project TO or FROM our finalist list. (Note: Because of the number of projects submitted, we do not invalidate every possible unfair score... only those that could change the list of finalists. Therefore, if you see an unfair low score for your project, it is because changing that score would not have changed the overall finalists list.)

5) We then alphabetize this last finalist list and send it to the VIP judges. The VIP judges do not see the scores, and they are asked to rank the projects in each finalist list based on their wisdom and experience.

6) We assign several judges to each category, so that no one judge is responsible for selecting the winners.

7) Finally, if you have any specific questions about a review or score, you must send email to the reviewer who submitted that score: you will find the email address for each reviewer in your list of scores.

We will be happy to consider any suggestions you may have to improve this process.

Please remember that the primary goal of CyberFair is to give students a rewarding learning experience. All of the elements in the program are intended to support this goal, including the peer review process. If your students learned and benefited from this project then they are in fact winners and deserve congratulations.

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48.  I can't find a bibliography in the project I'm reviewing.

If you can find no bibliography, please assign a score of zero (0) to item B-4: Citation of Sources (bibliography) in the rubric. We will take special note of this score when we select our finalists.

HOWEVER, please score all of the other items on the rubric as usual. The teachers and students will learn and benefit your feedback on all of the other items.

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49.  I have submited all required reviews. Why isn't the project checklist box for peer reviews checked off.

When you have finished submitting all required reviews you can check that item off in your project checklist by clicking on the check box.

The checklist is for YOUR information. We do not use the checklist to establish your eligibility.

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50.  One of my projects' web page is in a foreign language. How do I evaluate it.

Because most schools rely on volunteers to help them translate projects into English, we prefer to give them a bit of time.

Please send a note to the contact address for the site. Then, if possible, come back to the project in a week or so.

If you don't have time to wait... or if the translation isn't completed by the time you come back, then give all evaluation fields a zero with a comment that you could not read the project (project rules require them to be submitted in English).

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Category: Project Narrative

51.  How do we make the bibliography page?

Please read item 15 in the official rules at: http://www.gsn.org/gsncf/rules.cfm

Your project must include a bibliography page that cites the sources for your project's information.

When you complete your project narrative, you must include a link to that page.

Therefore, you should create your bibliography page before you attempt to complete the narrative and include that link in your narrative. However, the bibliography does not need to be completed in final form until peer review begins.

The Citation Machine link below will help you generate appropriate bibliographic entries for your bibliography page. Just copy and paste the citations into your HTML editor and make sure that the URL's included are hot links that work when you click on them.

Your bibliography must also list the names of the people who helped you to assemble your Web pages. If you received no help, your bibliography should state that.

Citation Machine: http://www.landmark-project.com/citation_machine/

Cyberfair Rules: http://www.gsh.org/gsh/doors/rules.html#bibliography

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52.  How do I submit the Project Narrative

The Project Narrative must be submitted using the Project Narrative FORM which you will find in your PROJECT CHECKLIST.

Login in at http://www.gsn.org/gsncf/projects/ and click on the Project Narrative "Click Here" link or the PROJECT CHECKLIST button.

We recommend that you create and save ALL of your narrative answers in a word processing program before you start completing the narrative form.

Then, come back to the form and cut and paste your answers into this form.

This will allow you to spell check all of your work before you enter it, and you'll also have a backup copy in case you have problems with the form.

We also suggest that you SUBMIT your Narrative form after entering 2-3 fields. Continue adding more fields, 2-3 at a time until you're done.

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Category: Registration

53.  Why doesn't our CyberFair entry show up in the participants list?

If you recently made revisions to your project, submitted your project as a Project-in-Progress, or submitted your project as a Final Entry, our moderator has to review your changes before allowing your project to show up publicly on our web site. Please be patient, this is not an automatic process, and each project is reviewed individually. As soon as our moderator approves your revisions, you'll receive a confirmation email, at which time your entry will again show up publicly on the participant list.

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54.  Why can't I login ??(I'm registered)

If your password has changed, you can request that your new password be sent to you via email by entering your email address on the login form, in the "Forgot Your Password?" box immediately below the box where you submit your login name and password.

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55.  How do I register a project for CyberFair?

An educator or administrator must register your school or organization's intent to participate by the registration deadline. Registration lets us know that you are interested in participating in International Schools CyberFair.

Register your project at:

http://www.globalschoolnet.org/gsncf/timeline.cfm

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56.  How can we change our category and/or team members?

You may make these changes yourself. Simply login to your checklist and make the necessary edits.

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57.  How do I change my LOGIN or PASSWORD or EMAIL ADDRESS?

You can change all of your contact information by logging into your CHECKLIST.

You can also log into the membership area at:

http://www.globalschoolnet.org/membership/members/login/index.cfm

There is a place to enter your email address if you do not remember your login or password.

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58.  Can we re-submit a project that we were working on last year?

Yes. You can re-submit your project. Be sure to indicate that you submitted the project last year and that you have continued to work on in. Let us know what changes have been made and if additional students have contributed.

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Category: Technical

59.  What software program should I use to create my web pages?

You don't have experience in creating web pages? You may use any web authoring tool.

That is not the hard part of this project! We do encourage you to read "Harnessing the Power of the Web". Go to: http://www.globalschoolnet.org/web

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60.  May we use a web page editor to create our pages or are we required to write our own HTML?

You are allowed to use any editor you choose on your CyberFair entry. It is very helpful to have at least a basic understanding of HTML. We encourage you to read "Harnessing the Power of the Web" at: http://www.globalschoolnet.org/web/

It is our own on-line tutorial that encompasses planning a project to beginning HTML (Hyper Text Markup Language - the language used to design web pages). Learning a programming language like this is relatively easy and probably easier than you think.

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Category: Web Space

61.  Do you provide web space for our CyberFair project?

We do not provide web space. We have given some suggestion for free web space, but you are welcome to use any server you wish, as long as the public has access. Remember that many of the reviewers will be from other countries.

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62.  Where can we put our old CyberFair web project, now that Global Schoolhouse no longer provides web hosting.

As of 6/1/01 we are no longer able to provide web hosting. We suggest that you find another ISP to host this site.

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