School: Yu-Tsai Elementary School
    New Taipei City, Taiwan, Taiwan

11 students, ages 11-12 worked together to complete this CyberFair project on March 14, 2012. They have participated in CyberFair in the following year(s): 2010,2011

Classes and Teachers: Sunny Peng,Tina Yang,Kim Huang

E-Mail contact:

Our School's Web Site: http://www.ytes.ntpc.edu.tw/

1. Description of Our Community

Our school resides in Yonghe city, Taipei county. Located near the southeast part of theTaipei Basin, it is linked by three bridges over Xin-Diang River. Yonghe is as properous as Taipei city, and it is well known for its numerous small shops and attractions such as Korean Street, Weekend Farmers' markets, Yang San Lang's Museum and World Religions Museum.

2. Summary of Our Project

The choir was established in 1964, and in that year was awarded the honor of representing New Taipei City in the national elementary school competition. Years later, the Yu-Tsai choir has performed extremely well in each of the annual competitions and always received the highest praise from the judges. Although Yu-Tsai Elementary school is small, the standards used for selecting choir members not only include assessing the students musical talent and ability, but also considers the students interest and endurance. Early each morning at Yu-Tsai, the choir arrives at school to practice. During the singing practices, the students found the fun of singing. At every public performance and competition, they discovered the excitement of singing. This year, the choir members continued to work hard for the national competition.

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:2-3

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):

We utilized our school's ample computers to access the Internet: there are 50 computers in the computer lab, 4 computers in the library, each classroom also has their own computer and all of these have direct access to the Internet. Having convenient access to these resources really helped us in facilitating our projects' needs and getting work done.

4. Problems We Had To Overcome

Classtime: Apart from using lunchtimes to complete the work associated with the cyberfair, we also some of our time outside of school time too. However as we can’t forget about our studies, we had to work extra hard in class and not let the cyberfair hold up our school work. Assigning jobs: Our teachers asked us to form 3 teams. Each team had a leader whose responsibility was to make sure everything progressed on time. Each team member worked together well and so we were able to complete the project on time. Data Collection: From the beginning there has been a lot of data collected and it is difficult to find. Therefore we spent a lot of time interviewing the teachers and asking them to provide us with information and photographs. Working together: For this project we had to interview a lot of people. Every time we finished the interviews, it would take us an hour or so to type up a 10 minute interview. So we split up into teams of two. One person would listen to the interview and then other person would type. Working together meant we could finish it much more quickly.

5. Our Project Sound Bite

Doing the cyberfair is difficult, but the teachers work hard than us. Making web pages, gathering data and working in a team is not easy! It took 6 months to finish the cyberfair, I’d like to thank all the people who helped us in this time. The choir – who were willing to be interviewed. The Shuangan Hospice – who let us perform for the old people there. The people who listened to our carols - who gave us encouragement and support. Doing the cyberfair is hard, but very rewarding. It let me experience teamwork and I learnt without that teamwork, we couldn’t be this sucessful.

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

By completing the project, we’ve had to integrate virtually all disciplines of knowledge. Language Through the collecting of data, transcribing of interviews and writing of reports we vastly improved our writing skills. We also had the chance to improve our listening and communication skills in the interview process. Math We used Excel to collate statistics on everyone’s performance.? Social Studies Through our interviews we were able to have a better understanding of the hard work and effort that the Yu-Tsai choir puts into their performances. Also after recording and experiencing this with them, we were able to appreciate how music and singing can move people and the mentality needed to make dreams become reality. Art and Humanities We created graphics using computer programs as well as drawing by hand. We also used image processing software to edit photographs for our website. In addition, our theme was about music and we were able to listen to and admire the beautiful voices of the Yu-Tsai choir. Science and Technology We made full use of computer graphics software, digital photography, video cameras and cellphones to record our progress. Finally, we also used web publishing and image processing software to complete out website. Mixed Activities The members of the Cyberfair who attended the choir interviews, practices, physical training and competitions were able to understand that catching a dream is a long process. We also learned the importance of teamwork and cooperation.

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

Interviews(Computer hardware :camera, microphone, earphones, Voice Recorder pen;Computer software : Word, Excel, PhotoImpact, Skype), The Choir’s Record (Computer hardware :camera, microphone, earphones, Voice Recorder pen), Dream Catching Plan (Computer hardware :camera, DV; Computer software : Word, PhotoImpact), '2011 Dream' Film (Computer hardware :camera, DV; Computer software : Word, PhotoImpact), Choir Competitio (Computer hardware :camera, DV, megaphone; Computer software : Word, PhotoImpact, Internet), Nursing Homes (Computer hardware :camera, DV; Computer software : Word, KMPlayer), Sister school musical exchange (Computer hardware :camera, DV; Computer software : Word, KMPlayer), Sing Christmas carols (Computer hardware :camera, DV; Computer software : Word, KMPlayer), Building the Website (Computer hardware: scanner computer Software: Microsoft Office FrontPage ,PhotoScape, Photo Impact, Photo Shop), Data Collection(IE ,Microsoft Office word), Data Backup(Computer hardware: Flash drive,DVD R/W)

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

Interacting with the Choir: The time that we spent with the Yu-Tsai choir, from interviews and rehearsals to morning exercise and competitions, has allowed us the chance to build courage in communicating with others. It has also taught us that becoming a choir member is not as easy as it may seem! Interacting with the Founders of the Choir: During our talks with Chairman Kuo, Vice-Principal Hsu and Principal Tang, we learned about the beginnings and the history of the choir. We were also able to feel their enthusiasm and encouragement for the choir. We are sure that under such great guidance, the choir will continue to perform admirably. Interacting with our Sister School: Yu-Tsai Elementary School was honored to be invited to Nanshan Junior High School to attend an activity that also gave us a chance to interact with students from another school. Interacting with People in the Community: When we walked around the community, carrying the Yu-Tsai banner, dressed in festive clothing, singing carols and handing out candy, it was a great feeling to share this moment with members of the local community. We were a little embarrassed at first, but it turned out to be an unforgettable memory. Interacting with People in the Local Area: The Cyberfair team, along with the Yu-Tsai choir paid a visit to the Shuanglian Hospice to perform. Performances included choral songs, song and dance, Lilian’s touching words to her grandmother, violin and handing out of birthday cards. It was happy and heart-warming to see the happy smiles on the faces of the old people at the hospice.

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

During the carol service in the local community, we were able to let all the local residents have a real feeling of Christmas. At the Shuanglian Hospice, we were able to wish all residents a happy birthday through our performances. At the Looking to 2012 Folk Festival, we made some really happy memories with the choir. These occasions not only enhanced the image of Yu-Tsai and the choir within the community, but also gave the choir a chance to spread joy with the sound of their angelic voices!

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

Personal Visits We personally took the invite cards to the choir and used our lunch breaks to interview them. We also personally interviewed Principal Tang, Chairman Kuo, Vice-Principal Hsu and other teachers. Telephone Liaisons In order to prepare for the visit to the Shuanglian Hospice and the caroling service, we had to liaise by telephone with the hospice and the local authorities. E-mails Chairman Kuo and Vice-Principal Hsu are often not at school so we regularly communicated with them via e-mails to get all the information that we needed for the project.

5) Discoveries, Lessons and Surprises (Optional)

Discoveries 1. Many hands make light work:One person could never complete a Cyberfair project alone. Just like with the choir, every single member is equally important, and must work together in order to create beautiful harmony. 2. Website Design:Producing the website required using all the software we have studied before, but also collating data and was a huge effort. 3. Surprises in the Data:We collated a lot of resources from since the school first open until today. We discovered that the Yu-Tsai choir is really amazing, no matter at home or abroad, they always perform fantastically. We also discovered a lot of incredible memories in the old photographs. 4. Singing is not easy:We thought that singing was a very simple thing, but after spending time observing the choir we discovered that it is really not that easy at all. Apart from preparing ones own voice, keep a steady breathing pattern, you also have to be able to keep in time and in harmony with the rest of the group.

Lessons: 1. Preparation: Before the interviews, we must the questionnaire and tape recorder ready otherwise it will be chaos! 2. Don’t procrastinate: After every activity or interview, we must get everything recorded. If we leave for too long, our workload will pile up and we’ll start to forget some of the things that happened. 3.Practice again and again: After repeated practice, everyone got over their nervous and everything went well. Surprises: This is the first time that we have saw this special activity, and it is also the first time to close to the strangers and passers. So it was incredibly unique! All the things in the cyber fair will be my best memories. In these time, I learned how to make web pages and the importance of cooperation.