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1. Description of Our Community
Our Local community are the dwellers, the population of Malacca who are directly or indirectly affected by the project especially the teachers, parents and pupils of SK Paya Rumput. The local authorities also involved such as Malacca River and Coastal Corporation, Department Of Irrigation and Drainage, Malacca City Council and Malacca Tourism Information Centre.
The people of Melaka(Melakan) is proud to be living in this historical city. Being conferred UNESCO World Heritage Site is a huge honour to us who are slowly waking up and stepping out of the Third World dilemma. As the third smallest state in Malaysia and having no natural resources to boost the state’s economy, it is a blessing that it is bestowed with history dating back as far as the15th century. The historical relics and ancient monuments are our treasure and it all began from a river that has witnessed it all, Sungai Melaka or the Melaka River.
Specifically, the focus is along the 4.5km route of the Melaka River which was once a well-known commercial centre before it was being ‘neglected’ and turned into a huge drain that carried tons of refuse and waste to the estuary. From drain to fame, it was a timely intervention and care of the Melaka State Government and the appointed agencies like the Melaka City Council, PembinaanKaleighSdn. Bhd. and Pesona Metro Sdn. Bhd. that the masterplan for the rehabilitation and beautification of the river was carried out from phase to phase. Now, it has once again awoken from its sleep to be one of the main tourist attractions with its river cruise that takes local and foreign tourists on a joy ride along the river of change. This small mighty river once again becomes alive to allow visitors to flip the pages of history in real life and at the present tense.
2. Summary of Our Project
Our Project is aims to highlight the uniqueness of Melaka River which has undergone a major transformation from a dirty smelly drain into a well-known tourist attraction with its main river cruise as unique attraction. We also hope to reach out as many audience as possible among the students globally to share our findings.
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:not sure
D. Number of years our classroom has been connected to the Internet:2-3
E. Additional comments concerning your computer and/or Internet access (Optional):
We have wi-fi connection for almost every part of the school.
4. Problems We Had To Overcome
This new endeavour for the students took time to be materialized. We roped in students’ parents so that permission would easily be granted for field trips. Students were guided all the way through as they lack of experience and vocabulary especially when conducting interviews. It was very typical that shyness was the major culprit but it was a worthwhile effort. We had to make several trips too as the officer we wanted to meet was on leave. All seemed to rush against time as we had to juggle between getting information, students sitting for a standardized testand teachers doing marking and analysis, and getting the project done on time. We ran on a low budget as it was something new so many technical equipment like a digital camera, cellphones with built-in camera, laptops, tablets were borrowed and shared amongst the team members. Handling them was another story. Some worked well while some through trial and error. The weather could be unkind sometimes as when it rained, we had to work on plan B.
5. Our Project Sound Bite
It was a whole new experience where we were truly into the technology. It would be a boost for the school and the students’ parents as this small team was taking a leapahead their peers and friends into a world which was once beyond their reach. We gained valuable knowledge while surfing theinternet, and sometimes got carried away and lost in time before reality bit them again into completing the project. Getting to build the pages was intriguing, engaging and challenging. It sure was fun to see the students brainstorm their ideas and sometimes exchanged words but all in all, they got closer and learned to give and take. Hopefully, this team will be able to let others see and experience what the local attraction has to offer to the present and future travellers who might have some interests in testing its truth one day.
6. How did your activities and research for this CyberFair Project support standards, required coursework and curriculum standards?
It certainly helped the students to improve and enhance their English language as they learned many new words and tried to apply them in their daily communication. It is also in line with the government policy in ‘Upholding the Malay language and strengthening the English language’. As reading is the key to knowledge, either by force or voluntarily, it has helped the students a great deal in getting and sieving the right source. This way taught them to be more critical. The project has enabled these young learners to incorporate their learning through the touch of a button.
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