CyberFair Project ID: 6322

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International Schools CyberFair Project Narrative
Title: Hundred Years of Heritage – Cixian Temple
Category: 6. Historical Landmarks
URL: http://librarywork.taiwanschoolnet.org/gsh2010/gsh6322/index.html
Bibliography: http://librarywork.taiwanschoolnet.org/gsh2010/gsh6322/bibliography.html

School: Jiantan elementary school
    Taiwan, Taipei, Taiwan

8 students, ages 12-13 worked together to complete this CyberFair project on March 9, 2010. They have participated in CyberFair in the following year(s): no

Classes and Teachers: Ms. Tien-ying Lin,Ms. Hsiao-li Tu,Ms. Wan-yi Hsiao

E-Mail contact:

Our School's Web Site: http://www.jtes.tp.edu.tw

Project Overview

1. Description of Our Community

Our school is located in Shilin District, Taipei City. When people talk about Shilin, the first impression is the famous Shilin night market. The Cixian Temple, which is a Class 3 historical monument, locates in the marketplace. It was established in 1796, and relocated before. The decorations of the temple are distinguishable, like the grand palace temples. The grid streets Danan Road, Dabei Road, Datung Road, and Dasi Road surrounding Cixian Temple were the first streets built according to city planning in northern Taiwan. From the past to the present, the temple front of Shilin is always a packed marketplace. Learning about the history, we would have a better understanding about the temple and the development of Shilin District.

2. Summary of Our Project

Shilin Cixian Temple, closely related to the Shilin Night Market, is the historic and religious center for the residents in Shilin. As Jiantan Elementaray School is located in Shilin, we would like to take the opportunity to explore in depth the historic site in our neighborhood by getting to know the backgrounds and listening to old stories about the temple. We do believe by understanding the historic backgrounds, important events and the geographic elements we will be able to know more about Cixian Temple and the development of Shilin.

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):

Taipei City Education Net is well-developed. Schools use T1 high speed connection, so the access speed is very fast. Our school also has wireless station, so that we can use laptops on campus. Our Cyberfair project was done mostly by using school computers. On the other hand, all of the project team members have computers with internet access at homes, so that we could have discussion and search for information at home.

4. Problems We Had To Overcome

Since all the candidates are six graders, academic stress and heavy loads of after school programs became a concern. At the beginning, we took a long time to figure out which students were available, for doing this project they must quit some after school programs and spare their weekends and holidays. We also required the members to commit to hard work, obey the rules, and have sense of teamwork and honor. Therefore, we made an agreement at the beginning that the team members had to work on the project during lunch recess, and try their best to make time after school for group discussions. We also communicated with parents to gain their support.

5. Our Project Sound Bite

'Phew! Cyberfair project was finally done.' This was our first thought. From nothing to something, from observing to interviewing and surveying, from shyness to full of confidence, from computer illiterate to webpage design, this project has brought us astonishing experience. It was indeed hard work. As we discussed enthusiastically, helped each other, and guided each other, our relationship grew closer. We learned the importance of teamwork and realized “Where there's a will there's a way.” Through this Cyberfair project, we sharpened our abilities, and broadened our knowledge. “It is wonderful to participate in the Cyberfair project!” It is true for everyone of us.

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

Subjects correlated with the school’s curriculum, including ?Language: progress report, questionnaire design, ability to summarize the collected information, and the interview techniques ?Math: conduct statistical analysis, and produce statistical graphs and charts ?Arts and Culture: learn the art of the temple architecture, draw the architectural plan of the temple ?Social Studies: learn about the meaning of the temple religion to the neighboring residents, and the worship rituals ?Integrated Course: the manner of interview, problem-solving skills ? Information Technology: blog and the related software applications

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Project Elements

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

1.Interview:Interviews with the temple administration chief, volunteers, vendors, and pedestrians to learn about their opinions on Cixian Temple 2.Internet: To search for the information on Cixian Temple as the references for the interviews 3.Camcorder:To record the temple surroundings and the interviews, and to edit the video into multimedia files 4.Digital camera:To take pictures of all project activities to post on the website 5.Recording pen:To record the process of interviews for report writing 6.USB flash drive:To save the individual planning report for information transmission 7.Phone and cell phone:To contact and communicate with the team members 8.Computer software:Word, Excel, IE, FrontPage, PhotoImpact, ACDSee, Dreamweaver, Flash, PowerDirector

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

In order to become 'ambassadors' of our hometown, the students need to learn about Cixian Temple, as well as the importance of the temple religion to the community. By gaining a new understanding of the community, the students first influenced their family members. They brought their family members to Cixian Temple, served as Little Guides, and inspired a sense of community identification in their family members. They also introduced the website to the school students, in order to inspire more people to take initiatives to know the places where they live, and appreciate the beauty of Cixian Temple. It is our hope to pass down the heritage of the hundred-year-old temple.

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

The Cyberfair project would definitely promote Cichent Temple, including the origin of the temple and the close relationship of Cixian Temple and the community. The temple hosts many community activities, and the community residents get together to take care of the community through these activities. The collaboration makes our community better and better. Since Cixian Temple has no official website, we hope that our project website could allow more people to know about it.

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

The elder volunteers in Cixian Temple are worthy of our highest appreciation. When the first time we went into the temple, we felt overwhelmed. The volunteers showed us around, and explained to us about the worship procedures. When we asked questions about Cixian Temple, they handed us flyers, and offered detailed explanations. When we asked for an interview, they gladly accepted, and even gave each of us a “red envelope”. We always gained the expected and the unexpected abundantly. The venders and stores nearby the temple were also very nice to us. When we went to ask for interviews and taking pictures, they always responded positively, and provided us useful ideas. Lastly, the local residents and pedestrians were also helpful in completing the survey.

5) Discoveries, Lessons and Surprises (Optional)

1. Discoveries Through the project, we gained a better understanding about people and things around us, and realized out that there are so many possibilities around us worthy to be explored. Although the project was finished, our discovery will continue. There are still many meaningful people and things around us worthy to learn. 2. Lessons Many times, we scared ourselves before we started to do anything, and dared not to go further, so that we missed a lot of learning experiences. For example, when it was the first few times to interview strangers, we were not skillful and were too shy to speak. Sometimes, we were frightened by those who speak very loud. Yet, one after another practices, those experiences gave us many lessons. Later on, we were no longer scared of strangers. 3. Surprises: From confusion to completing the project, we were so surprised at our abilities. We held group discussions, design questionnaire, design website, which were all wonderful surprises. The joy of completing the project in the group is unspeakable.

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