CyberFair Project ID: 7988

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International Schools CyberFair Project Narrative
Title: Traveling with Joy along Yun-Hsiao Ancient Pathway
Category: 6. Historical Landmarks
URL: http://librarywork.taiwanschoolnet.org/gsh2015/gsh7988/index.htm
Bibliography: http://librarywork.taiwanschoolnet.org/gsh2015/gsh7988/narrative_3.htm

School: Pei-Shin Public Junior High School
    Chiayi, Taiwan, Taiwan

8 students, ages 13-14 worked together to complete this CyberFair project on March 8, 2015. They have participated in CyberFair in the following year(s): 2014

Classes and Teachers: Meng-Xi Tsai, Curtis Chu, Ya-Ting Yang

E-Mail contact:

Our School's Web Site: http://163.27.37.1/pc_index.php

Project Overview

1. Description of Our Community

TThe “Yun-Hsiao Ancient Pathway” is approximately 1km from Pei-Shin public junior high school. The pathway is about 20 minutes walking distance, intersecting with Ancient Chulo’s important Beimen (north gate) train station, and ends at the entrance of Anhe street. Most residents of and near the “Yun-Hsiao Ancient Pathway” attend religious activities at the neighboring Jiuhua Mt. Ksitigarbha Temple. Aside from the temple, there are also many famous historical sites, such as Juntendo hospital, the former home of Taiwan’s female pioneer Dr. Hsu Shih-hsien, and the clubhouse of the Forestry Bureau. The Hinoki Village is also a very popular tourist attraction. It was refurnished from the Japanese style dormitory of the Forestry Bureau. The Yushan (Mt. Jade) café in front of Beimen (north gate) station refreshes travelers, and Beimen station is the starting point of the Alishan Forest Railway, where travelers could hop onto a train up the Ali Mountain.

2. Summary of Our Project

This project is listed under the historical landmarks category. The “Yun-Hsiao Ancient Pathway” was located at the north-east corner of Chiayi city. It is the longest of the four ancient pathways which currently exists in Chiayi city. The pathway was built in the 1700’s, and it was the main pathway at the time for reaching the ancient Chulo City (known as Chiayi City today). Today, the “Yun-Hsiao Ancient Pathway” is located in the Linsen Village of Chiayi City, which begins from Lane 197 of Anhe Street , intersecting Lane 361 of Heping Road, until Lane 135 of Gonghe Road. It is 2.8 meters wide and 450 meters long. The pathway is narrow, and one could see new and old buildings intertwining with each other. It often leaves visitors a fascinating impression upon seeing the countless marks of time. Since the pathway is near the famous Jiuhua Mt. Ksitigarbha Temple, most residents earned their living by making the foot of the incense used for worshipping Gods. It once was the largest manufacturing place for the foot of incense in Southern Taiwan. “Splitting the foot of incense” is a traditional craft with over a hundred years of history.

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:more than 6

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

We normally met at one of the school’s computer labs every Wednesday afternoon from 3:10pm to 4:50pm during the second semester of 2014 academic year. Since each computer has connection to the internet, we searched for information relevant to our project and organized into topics. At home, we also used computers, lap-tops or tablets to get access to our online discussion group on Facebook. Most of us have ADSL or Wi-Fi systems at houses.

4. Problems We Had To Overcome

There are several barriers during the periods when we had conducted the project, and we did work hard together to overcome. (1) Workloads exceed expectations. When we signed an agreement to participate the project, we did not realize we had to spend a large amount of time and efforts to complete it. Some of us thought of withdraw at some stages. However, we are proud that we all work together to the end. (2) Organization of dada. Since we collected a large amount of data through the internet, interviewing and survey research, it was really hard to put them in order. Having trial and error several times, we had beautiful web pages to settle most the data we collected. (3) Conducting interview and survey. We did interviews with four informants, and conducted questionnaire survey with stranger visitors at several historical sites. We never had chance to do those things before participating this project. It was really difficult for us for the first time. We are glad we did it. (4) Web site construction. Finally, we had to construct a web site for presenting our project and share all we learned with people all around the world. It was also the first time for us to learn how to use types of computer software such as PowerPoint, Photoimpact, Publisher, and Dreamweaver to present our project and construct a website. We worked very hard to break through all the difficulties and overcome barriers.

5. Our Project Sound Bite

With this project, we studied outside our classrooms, engaged into our neighborhood, and learned the local knowledge from people in our community. We found that project-learning is the most fruitful, enriching and true learning experience. We got familiar with our local cultural and historical heritage, and realized the evolving history of Chiayi city. When we looked back to the beginning of the project several months ago, we found that we grew up to be more mature and learned a lot more than we could learn merely through subjects teaching at school.

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

(1) The content standards CyberFair project addresses as the followings: Language, social studies, information technology, and integrated activities according to our national curriculum. Research methods including data collection, analysis and composition are some of the most important knowledge contents beyond our curriculum. (2) This project fits into our required national curriculum guidelines in many aspects, such as enhancing self-understanding and explore individual potential; developing creativity; cultivating knowledge and skills related to expression, communication, and sharing; learning to respect others, care for the community, and facilitate team work; strengthening knowledge and skills related to planning, organizing, and their implementation; acquiring the ability to utilize technology and information; encouraging the attitude of active learning and studying; and developing abilities related to independent thinking and problem solving. (3) New skills we learned include data collection and analysis, communication, team working, self-management, use of information technology, creativity, and problem solving. (5) The project fits into the requirements for our school, especially if we have a chance to win the first prize, we may gain credits for our future application for high schools admission. (6) Discoveries about our educational system and the role we play in school community: If our education system can be more open to project learning, instead of subject teaching, we can definitely pay more attention to the content area. We would like to become advocates for innovation in education in the future. (7) Using the Internet for teaching and learning vs. traditional methods: Leaning through the internet is just like a treasure hunt. There is so much to take and digest, much more than we can ever expect. We definitely learned a lot more than we could learn merely through subjects teaching at school.

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Project Elements

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

(1) Computer and mobile devises: We used desk-top and lap-top computers, mobile phones, and tablets to get access to the internet and share information with each other online. (2) Discussion group on Facebook: We established an online private discussion group “102 Web Blog” on FB, where we uploaded data, photos, personal reports, and research journals. We also shared our ideas and comments on each other’ tasks online on daily bases. Our teachers also gave us immediate response through the “102 Web Blog” on FB. (3) Google Cloud drive: We used Google Cloud drive to store and share all data everyone had collected and produced so that everyone was able to access data and to complete their assigned tasks at home. (4) Cameras and digital recorders: When we took on-site visits at “Yun-Hsiao Ancient Pathway”, Jiuhua Mt. Ksitigarbha Temple, Hinoki Village, and Beimen (north gate) train station, we used cameras and mobile phones to take photos and videos. We also used digital recorders to record each interview sessions done with local informants. (5) Google Questionnaire function: We designed a questionnaire to invite visitors to comments on those historical sites that we investigated. Teachers also helped us create an online questionnaire by using Google Questionnaire function so that we could deliver the questionnaire to the public through email and Facebook. (6) Types of Computer software: We learned to use several types of computer software to complete our project, such as Powerpoint to present our ideas and drafts, Photoimpact and Photoshop to edit pictures, Publisher and Dreamweaver to construct Web pages.

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

(1) Interviewing with informants: We conducted interviews with four informants at three different historical sites for learning from their profound knowledge on history and culture of “Yun-Hsiao Ancient Pathway”. They all appreciated our efforts to make known and preserve cultural heritage. (2) Conducting survey with visitors: We conducted a questionnaire survey both in person and online. When we faced with stranger visitors on several historical sites, most of them were happy to stop and listen to our questions, and give their sincere responds. Their compliments and encouragements are valuable nutrients to support our ongoing efforts. (3) Presenting draft project at school: After we had done a draft project, we presented it to our classmates and other teachers at school. Through their sparkling eyes and valuable comments, we felt confident that we had successfully inspired more people to join our efforts for cultural heritage preservation. (4) Circulating draft project on Facebook: We invited friends to browse our website on FB, and encourage them to spread our website to the public. In Taiwan School Cyberfair 2015, we are among one of the most popular project websites. Our progress reports have been selected by the host organization to share with the public on their official FB pages for more than 20 times.

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

(1) More appreciation on the beauty of Yun-Hsiao Ancient Pathway: In the beginning of the research, we asked our classmates, teachers, friends and families and found out that very few knew about Yun-Hsiao Ancient Pathway. Having circulating the information of cultural heritage with questionnaire to more than two hundred classmates, teachers and their families, more people are able to appreciate the beauty of Yun-Hsiao Ancient Pathway and our neighborhood community. (2) Expanding knowledge of historical heritage: Through the project learning activities, we visited several places with our team members and families, which expand our knowledge and understanding of historical heritage at our surrounding areas. We knew we should take responsibility to preserve the delicate cultural heritage otherwise it would fade away easily. (3) Change on our perceptions of team working: In the beginning, we did not know how to cooperate with each other, we argued a lot, and sometimes caused troubles when someone postponed their own tasks. When the project comes to the end, we realize how important it is to cooperate in team working. Having working together, we accomplished a project that is far beyond everyone’s imagination and expectation. We really learned the value of team working.

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

We would like to express our sincere thanks to our knowledgeable informants for offering us opportunities to interview with them: the Chief of Linsen Village—Mr. Wang Guang Li; craftsmaster of the traditional art “cutting the foot of incense”—Ms. Qiu Jin Yun; a representative of Jiuhua Mt. Ksitigarbha Temple—Mr. Hsiao Po Hung; and the author of “Trip to Chiayi City”—Mr. Chen Chun Wen. Thanks to the principle and the director of the academic affairs of Pei-Shin Junior High School for supporting us to participating in the International School CyberFair Contest 2015. We also appreciate the assistant from IT teacher for solving the technical problems in transmitting our project onto the CyberFair website. We are also thankful for our parents, families, volunteers, and all strange visitors who participated in the questionnaire survey for their enthusiastic help.

5) Discoveries, Lessons and Surprises (Optional)

(1) Discoveries: With this project, we studied outside classrooms, engaged into our neighborhood, and learned the local knowledge from people in our community. We found that project-learning is the most fruitful, enriching and true learning experience. We got familiar with our local cultural and historical heritage, and realized the evolving history of Chiayi city. When we looked back to the beginning of the project several months ago, we found that we grew up to be more mature and learned a lot more than we could learn merely through subjects teaching at school. We discover that if our education system can be more open to project learning, instead of subject teaching, we can definitely pay more attention to the content area. We would like to become advocates for innovation in education in the future. (2) Lessons learned: New skills we learned include data collection and analysis, communication, team working, self-management, use of information technology, creativity, and problem solving. (3) Surprise: Leaning through the internet is just like a treasure hunt. There is so much to take and digest, much more than we can ever expect. We definitely learned a lot more than we could learn merely through subjects teaching at school. Therefore, we certainly recommend the project and CyberFair contest to others.

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View our CyberFair Project (Project ID: 7988)

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