School: LuGang Primary School
    Lu-Kang Town,, Chan-Hwa Hsien,, Taiwan

15 students, ages 10-12 worked together to complete this CyberFair project on December 16, 2003. They have participated in CyberFair in the following year(s): 2003, 2004

Classes and Teachers: Mr. Yu Liang-Chang, Miss Lu Meng-Peng, Mr. Lin Sung-fu, Mr. Guo Zhi-Chang

E-Mail contact:

Our School's Web Site: http://www.lges.chc.edu.tw

1. Description of Our Community

Through modern impacts for years, Lukang, an old town of culture inheritance, still remains its phenomenon of primitive simplicity. Regardless of temples, old streets, art and craft, antique, and refreshments, Lukang preserved valuable assets for its generations through abundant culture, which is bred by its diversity of ancient nickname, 'the second large town in Taiwan'. You could see historical spots and temple everywhere as you travel in the streets and alleys of Lukang. Being completed and enchanted, Lukang deserves your visit no matter you adopt different points of view.

2. Summary of Our Project

There are 'three treasures' in Lukang, that is, temples, historical spots, and arts and crafts. Among them, the arts and crafts are notable for its wood furniture, sculpture, tin utensil, and master of lantern. The styles are an inheritance of Chinese southern tradition. The masters of Tanshan are of most importance, and they moved form Chungzhou, settled down in Lukang, and inherited and promoted their techniques. Moreover, 'Folk Arts Legacy Award' honored some of the masters. They not only prolong the life of these techniques of arts and crafts, but also add new innovations in their works to enrich their culture. It is therefore we choose these topics related to inheritance and present it to the public to have a better understanding to the treasures of our culture.

3. Our Computer and Internet Access

A. Percentage of students using the Internet at home:more than 50%

B. Number of workstations with Internet access in the classroom:more than 6

C. Connection speed used in the classroom:dedicated connection

D. Number of years our classroom has been connected to the Internet:4-6

E. Additional comments concerning your computer and/or Internet access (Optional):

Most of our research works were done in the second computer lab in our school which has the T1 ADSL (1.5M) connections provided by the Chunghua Telecom. If the guidance teachers assigned any homework, then it was done in students’ homes. Some of the students have ADSL(512K) connections at home, some are still using the 56K modem.

4. Problems We Had To Overcome

(1) In selecting name of the topic - During the naming process of our special topic, the researchers faced some obstacles. Researchers were first oriented to make a research in leading figure of the town, but it was deserted because of difficult connection of them due to bustle about their own business at last. Since the thought was cancelled, researchers tried to find a new topic by brain storming of the crew. We thought of another topic later. It was to make a research in local Legacy masters, a national treasure to Taiwan. It is not only to get acquainted with local old masters, but also to understand the inheritance of folk arts.(2) The integration of our crew - The crew (teachers are included) comes from different grades and classes, and it is naturally hard for everyone to discuss and train in the same time during the research. Furthermore, schools are full of activities because of a tendency multiple learning. Besides, students should not be postponed of their learning and activities because of joining the research of website fair. It is therefore most of the research was took in the morning and afternoon break to proceed our job and arrangement of research data. Though being lack of time, we are getting accustomed to seize the short break and make efficient use to adjust frameworks of our webpage and research material. (3) Difficulties in interviews - The interviewers, masters of Legacy, are mostly at an age of from 60 to 70, and some of them are unable to identify Mandarin. It is very hard to ask questions and understanding masters’ expressions during the interview since one of them was evenly weak of hearing. Fortunately, we are capable of understanding Taiwanese, and we overcome this incomprehensible part by translation of our teacher. (4) Difficulties in assistance of translation - To join the Cyberfair contest, it is our biggest challenge to find a translator for us to translate our work. A lot of people give us clues, but we cannot find translator to translate because they all engaged in job and studies. We even prepared for the worst that we would be unable to be part of the contest.

5. Our Project Sound Bite

Though it is the second time of our appearance in Cyberfair, the feelings we have is much more impressive than that of last year's. Being a new combination of three novice teachers and six new researchers, the whole crew is full of new spirits. The research material and categories of the topic is extremely tremendous, we overcome all the difficulties through diligent directions of teacher to us, a group of intelligence and extroversion. Every interview gives us lots of stuff in particularly. Moreover, we all feel that we learn very precious knowledge through a second experience of relative work and learn more about our hometown, Lukang. A-Liung said, 'those who walked left traces.' We believe what we experienced will finally become sweet memories for us.

6. How did your activities and research for this CyberFair Project support standards, required coursework and curriculum standards?

The research contents that we did this time can be applied to the Grade 1~9 Integrated Coordinated Curriculum are: (1) The subject of Social Studies: In the process of our researches and interviews, we understand these concepts by the following statements: (A) We know and learn more about their importance in art inheritance by interviewing with local Legacy masters. (B) We recognize the origins and development of arts and crafts though collecting materials and doing researches. (C) We learn interactions with others and manners that can be applied to relations of human from interviews. (D) We understand the arts and crafts are mostly decayed by modernization of society by interviews, and it deserves us introspection. (2) The subject of Art and Humanities: The topic of our research, unique performance of art, is explored in a point of view in art and humanities. Alone with the research, we find that a development of art and craft is deeply related to its culture environment. Take Lukang, the town we live, as an example, it is a town of primitive simplicity and diversity, which contribute to vigorous elaboration of arts and crafts. Besides, we strongly recognize that it is of most importance to enhance our levels of culture to keep our culture and art inherited. (3) The subject of Nature Science and Life Technology We use the most popular equipment, digital recorder, to take down the notes of our interview. We identify every trace of our visit by digital camera. The DV, however, is employed to catch the look and magnificent skills of the interviewee. We make use of computer to write down documents of our research and surf on the net to look up for data. Computer uploads the data of our research as well. Still more, we create our webpage based on research result to share our research to all of you.

1) What information tools & technologies did you used to complete your CyberFair project?

Image: 1. Digital camera - the image record of discussion and interview 2. Camera - the image record of discussion and interview 3. DV - the sound and video of interview 4. Printer - the output of documents and images 5. TV - the output of images 6. Scanner - data of textbooks and digital process of pictures

Sound: 1. Digital recorder - the sound record of interview 2. Recorder - the sound record of interview

Communication 1. Telephone - a negotiation and communication before interview 2. Computers - e-mail and chat room 3. Cell phone - communicate between the crew

Data collecting: 1. Computer - learning, surf on the net, data reorganization 2. Newspapers - reading and reorganize data 3. Books - reading and reorganize data 4. Cable TV - watches videos of relative introduction 5. Computer software compiling documents, images, and webpage

2) In what ways did you act as "ambassadors" and spokespersons for your CyberFair project both on-line and in person.

(1) Personal interview: We paid a visit to local masters of Legacy personally. Making use of interviews, we explained topic and contents of our research and understood various arts and crafts with detail. We interviewed with Mr. Shi Zen Yang, Mr. Wu Dun Hou, Mr. Shi Zhi Hui, Mr. Li Bin Qui, Mr. Chen Wan Ng, and Mr. Wu Chin Bo.

(2) Parental participation: We encourage parents of our crew to become members of our project for CyberFair. They join our research and assist our students to make interviews.

3) What has been the impact of your project on your community?

(1) The decay of traditional arts and crafts: Alone with the research and interviews, we recognized the importance of culture inheritance. However, those masters, who are viewed as national treasures, had to face the reality though they took great responsibility on handing down the culture techniques. It will be quite difficult to hand down the techniques without realistic support and attention form relative department of government.

(2) To develop one’s specialty: We interviewed with many masters of traditional arts and crafts during the process of research, and they all acquired their specialty and performed spectacularly in their field. To survive in the diverse society of the future, the students know that they have to learn a specialty.

(3) The strength of teamwork: The research makes us realize the importance of teamwork. Without the crew’s coherence and performance in different things, it would be impossible to accomplish a complicated job in such a short time. With the effort of every crew, the strength that is united is amazing.

(4) To face the difficulties bravely: Encountering with unexpectedly difficulties, the process of our research is not all that smooth. Instead of hiding yourself, the only solution would be to face it bravely and finding for assistance. The repay is our own personal growth.

4) How did your project involve other members of your community as helpers and volunteers?

First of all, we want to thank to six masters of culture inheritance and their relatives to accept our interview. Though being engaged, they still took time to give detailed explanation to our students. Moreover, they demonstrated personally which gave us lots of impressions. Secondly, we would like to thank to our Dean, Ms. Lu Mei Hui, and section chief of computers, Mr U Liang Chang. Through the research process, they provided numerous supports in manpower and material resources. Especially Mr. U, he provided lots of experiences and suggestions in the previous preparation for the research to support us to put things in order promptly.

5) Discoveries, Lessons and Surprises (Optional)

Experiencing with this research by interviewing six outstanding masters, we found one thing in common, their persistence to art creation and culture inheritance. Owing to their endeavor, we are able to feel the wonderful creation. Besides, we recognize the spirit of to be the best from master’s speech. To strive for the tide of our era, we have to keep exerting ourselves and innovating.