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1. Description of Our Community
“Kesiyono”--a remote tribe located in beautiful Fuhsing Township Loma Road, is an interesting and eye-catching place with a long-time history of evolution.
The name includes the meaning of a “foggy” mountainous place, especially in the winter. Sometimes, it’s covered by snow despite of moderate altitude (approx. 900m)! In ancient times, it often became a settlement of some tribes because of the frequent presence of “animal footprints”. So, “Kesiyono” is perhaps represented by “abundant products”!
Somebody also said: “Kesiyono” indicates “big timber” as it was once endowed with many trees. However, everybody who paid a visit here would surely enjoy it! You’re welcome to this place. For any detail, please contact: “Thinking Hunters”, who will provide you with the first-class services.
2. Summary of Our Project
After looking at Cyberfair project, “The whispers of the mountains” by students in the previous year, the students of this year showed a keen interest in climbing Najishan, where they could amuse themselves like Tarzan. But, their parents often refused their request for accompany, saying: “it's a long way for you.” However, it can be found from their mesh bags that there are many strange animals and plants in the forest!
After some outdoor practices, we found it was like a natural museum with a wide variety of plants spread all over Kui Hui River and Kesiyono top. Also, some ancient mountain valleys with abundant shell fossils revealed many mysteries of the nature. Kesiyono elementary school has now become a “Natural Center” since the Ministry of Education initiated a campus movement plan. After discussions based on the curriculum, we’ve decided to cross through five valleys of Kesiyono endowed with natural features, i.e. a series of expedition of “Unveiling the Mystery of Kesiyono”.
3. Our Computer and Internet Access
A. Percentage of students using the Internet at home:21-50%
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:more than 6
E. Additional comments concerning your computer and/or Internet access (Optional):
Major equipments include:
(1) A server, i.e. a FreeBSD system, used to provide web server and ftp server services; linked to TANET via ADSL(1.5M /384k). (2) A computer room: 1 multi-media computer for teacher, 21 for the students. Available with operating system Windows98. (3) Administration computers: 1 in the principal’s room, 7 in Educational Administration Dept., and 7 in General Dept. (4) 2 DV cameras, 2 single-gun projectors, 5 digital cameras, 2 scanners, 3 personal stereos and 2 dictaphones. (5) Authorized Windows98 copyright, Microsoft OFFICE2000 standard professional and photoimpact6, etc. (6) One computer room of our school is linked to TANet via ADSL, so we can look up relevant data or set up Cyberfair Project archive through convenient and rapid networking devices. (7) Sponsorship: ET Mall: 1 PC, 1 digital camera, 1 digital video camera, 1 dictaphone and 1 EPSON laser printer.
4. Problems We Had To Overcome
(1) Staffing Organization:
The program of “Little Digital Hero” was delayed for a long time since Uncle Dagao resigned, then “Digital Radiant” couldn’t assign personnel to participate and some teachers had to take an advanced study. Fortunately, Uncle Dagao was persuaded to work with us, while Ting-yu, Mei-fang, Ms. Jia-rong Chang and Ms. Hui-ru Tsai would like to cooperate with us. So, this research program was pushed forward smoothly.
(2) Bad Weather:
The established tour plan to mountain valleys was forcibly cancelled due to cold and moisty weather. So, some subsequent activities had to be postponed or cancelled, posing a barrier to data collection and work progress.
(3) Pressing Time:
In this semester, there were a wide array of activities every week for the 6th-grade students, from class level to school level, or from outdoor, inter-village to town-country interaction activities. So, the time for Cyberfair Project was occupied. The teachers reminded us to accelerate the pace by diligent and whole-hearted work. The classmates had to work hard to finish their own jobs even during playtime.
5. Our Project Sound Bite
(1) Make a contribution to natural protection of Kesiyono, let more people get to know Kesiyono, cherish the land, respect the nature and lover our homeland. (2) Cherish all gifts offered by the nature, observe the nature absorbedly and experience its mysteries and mighty force. (3) Interact with the nature modestly and devoutly, learn from the nature to inspire more imagination and creativity. Acquire gradually more knowledge to protect and recover our nature, or even create a “quasi-”nature of diversity. (4) Open vision, observe and read the nature by “brainpower”. Let us join hands in developing a new thought of human beings and nature in this new era!
6. How did your activities and research for this CyberFair Project support standards, required coursework and curriculum standards?
As the participants of Cyberfair Project are interested in the webpage prepared by previous schoolfellow, the founding of Kesiyono Natural Center aims to develop an integrated research in collaboration with existing curriculum, which involves Chinese language, arts and human culture, nature and science, health and sports as well as general activities. After completion of research, all data are to be entered into the database of curriculum, thus helping to provide the teachers with a research template covering nature, ecology and tourist resources. Grade 1-9 Curriculum focuses on integration of sciences and actual job practices. Under the proper guidance of teachers, the students could learn how to exploit their knowledge into research practice, and obtain a sense of achievement in preparing webpage. We believe this successful experience will contribute to foster their independent learning interest in the future.
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