CyberFair Project ID: 6743

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International Schools CyberFair Project Narrative
Title: Riding Bycycle forward the world, green power assistant-the Gaint Corporation
Category: 3. Business and Community Organizations
URL: http://librarywork.taiwanschoolnet.org/gsh2011/gsh6743/index.htm
Bibliography: http://librarywork.taiwanschoolnet.org/gsh2011/gsh6743/references.htm

School: Chingshin Elementary & Middle School
    Taipei, Taiwan, Taiwan

12 students, ages 11-13 worked together to complete this CyberFair project on March 15, 2011. They have participated in CyberFair in the following year(s): 2011

Classes and Teachers: Chui-chi Tsai, Kuo-ying Lai, Chun-an Chen

E-Mail contact:

Our School's Web Site: http://210.243.21.2/

Project Overview

1. Description of Our Community

Our school is located in Wenshan District, Taipei (a district known for its prominent educational institutions). We are a private school, with students from everywhere. Only some students live in the neighborhood. We have a total of 36 classes and approximately 1,500 students. Due to the fact that our school is in the urban area, our students like to ride bicycles outdoor to not only take a deep breath but also exercise for health, so we decide to do this project.

2. Summary of Our Project

We focus our study on GIANT Manufacturing Co., the leading bicycle manufacturer in Taiwan. GIANT is also one of the few famous Taiwanese brands in the world. In this CyberFair Project, we hope to guide children to learn more about the history of GIANT and the process of how it became a global brand name. It is one of the few success stories in Taiwan that OEM manufacturers transform themselves by developing own brands. We hope this research project can enable children to know the difficulties and importance of brand developments. We wish that they can, via interviews and questionnaire surveys, learn more about how GIANT reaches out to the world from Taiwan and how GIANT promotes its philosophy overseas. Meanwhile, we also want them to understand the efforts made by GIANT to promote energy efficiency and environmental protection.

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:2-3

C. Connection speed used in the classroom:not sure

D. Number of years our classroom has been connected to the Internet:more than 6

4. Problems We Had To Overcome

1.Budgets: With the support and sponsorship of the parents of the participating students, we were able to conduct this project. The resource and assistance they provided allowed us to complete our studies and investigation.

2.Timeline: We needed to work at lunch breaks and after school for this project. Racing against time was a challenge since students had to deal with a lot of school work and activities.

3.Data collection & summary: We attempted to gather truthful and accurate information via study sessions, Internet searches, interviews, questionnaire surveys and discussions. All the challenges and difficulties presented learning opportunities for children and teachers.

4.Interviews: Thanks Giant Manufacturing Co., Ms. Chen, A-Long (owner of Evergreen Bicycle Shop selling GIANT’s bikes), Mr. Dai, shop manager of GIANT’s own shop in SOGO Department Store, Taipei for accommodating our visits and interviews. We got to know more about the history and current status of Giant Manufacturing Co. and acquired first-hand information and hands-on experience in this project.

5.Interview skills: Student did not have interviewing experience before this project. They had to be prepared. We trained students at lunch breaks and during the winter holiday. We had study sessions and mock interviews so that they acquired interview skills and the ability to learn about the opinions and professional knowledge of the interviewees.

5. Our Project Sound Bite

We learned from the history and philosophy of Giant Manufacturing Co. that only with dedications to quality, can one survive the competition and stand out from the crowd. GIANT is not only one of the few global brands from Taiwan, but also a role model for Taiwanese industries. We should not be content with the OEM business model. Rather, we should embrace the world with our roots in Taiwan. We should learn from GIANT’s spirits in charting out its own brand and identify the blue-sea strategies for Taiwan.

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

1. Literacy We had to learn how to release questionnaires and conduct interviews. Interview etiquette, question listing, questionnaire design, data collections and summary and status report writing all improved our literacy. We also developed the ability to listen and communicate in the interviews and questionnaire surveys. We translated all the activities into texts and notes and this process helped us to improve abilities in listening, speaking, reading, writing and summarizing.

2. Numeracy We analyzed the questionnaire with spreadsheets and presented data collated from the questionnaire survey. The purpose was to enhance our understanding of Giant Manufacturing Co. and cyclists in Taiwan.

3. Social Sciences We gained different perspectives on the bicycle industry from our meeting and speaking with GIANT Manufacturing Co. We also experienced the dedication in bicycle quality from our interviews with a store manager of a GIANT’s own shop and a shop owner. We also learned a lot from their professional knowledge.

4. Arts & Culture We apply image processing techniques to edit the photos we took and use them in our webpages. We apply the techniques of drawing, layouts and photography in the editing of images and processing of computer data. The process of producing webpages broadened our horizon and developed our aesthetic tastes.

5. IT Literacy We used digital cameras, DV recorders and audio pens to record our interviews. We share our thoughts and opinions via the webpages we produced. We enhanced our IT literacy by applying all kinds of IT devices.

6. Collaboration Every classmate provided feedback and shared thoughts in this project. We learned to express ourselves and respect other people’s ideas. We came to appreciate the importance of team work and the challenges of entrepreneurship.

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Project Elements

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

1. Hardware (1)Computers & Internet: word processing, Internet searches, digital photo collection and editing (2)Digital cameras: interviews and status reports (3)Digital video cameras: interviews and recording of thoughts and ideas (4)Projectors: study sessions, interviews and briefings (5)Audio pens: interview recordings

2. Software We used Office to produce learning memos, questionnaires and research work, as well as Photoshop and Photoimpact to process images and Dreamweaver to produce webpages.

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

Our students started with no knowledge in this field but they worked hard to find answers. Ms. Chen, whom we interviewed in the Public Relations Office, Giant Manufacturing Co., said that they outperformed university students, although they are only students in the sixth grade of an elementary school. Teachers and parents are proud of these children.

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

We share the knowledge we acquired and the opinions we had on our website. We hope everybody can know more about Giant Manufacturing Co. from our webpages. GIANT is a learning model for all the industries in Taiwan.

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

In the beginning, we choose several students who enjoy riding bicycle to compose a team. All of the teammates discuss the information about GIANT. Through reading several information from GIANT, relevant websites, and specialized books, it makes us understand 'GIANT' and enrich our recognization about GIANT. While we invite the managers who work at Giant Manufacturing Corporation, directly-managed stores and sales agencies to be our interviewees, we show our passion and understanding politely. After that, they find out our desire and help us eagerly, even though we are just elementary school students. The boss A-Lon of one sales agency in our community knows that we Chingshin school's students not only enjoy riding bicycle but also understand GIANT, so he treats us very friendly. During the process of the interview, he answers us all the details about GIANT patiently and elaborately. We really appreciate everyone who assists us in finishing our research project.

5) Discoveries, Lessons and Surprises (Optional)

The research project lasted four months. We had study sessions, interviews with two bicycle shops, a visit to Ms. Chen and a questionnaire survey. We come to the following conclusions:

1. Strategies for GIANT to become a world famous brand. Developing brand equity, global networks, innovation & value creation, sports marketing, dedication on quality, campaigns in leisure and sightseeing as a response to the call for energy efficiency and carbon reductions.

2. GIANT as a renowned brand The questionnaire survey and interviews find that GIANT is a famous grand in Taiwan. All the respondents think highly of GIANT’s bicycles and brand equity.

3. GIANT as No. 1 brand in Taiwan and China GIANT has the highest market shares in both Taiwan and China. Meanwhile, GIANT is the largest bicycle manufacturer in the world in terms of shipments.

4. Bicycle functions most important to consumers The questionnaire survey shows that consumers care about functions the most in their purchasing decisions. They demand functions catering to their specific needs.

5. Recognition of GIANT’s quality GIANT is dedicated to R&D and design of bicycles. Their own direct shops, distributors or customers are all pleased with GIANT’s quality, bicycle functions and design.

6. Quality and customers’ satisfaction as GIANT’s ultimate goals GIANT strives for customers’ satisfaction, constant quality improvements, innovations and excellence. Only high quality can improve customers’ satisfaction and willingness to repurchase. It is the GIANT’s way of pursuing excellence and brand equity.

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View our CyberFair Project (Project ID: 6743)

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