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1. Description of Our Community
From the initial grouping of students as part of this “Green Light” unit plan, to the exploration of the natural environment that surrounds our school, to the exploration of the three questions which frame this unit, to the recordings and films made by the students, a concern for raising our students’ environmental awareness is paramount. As part of this unit, students investigate the issue of water quality in and around the Tai Ping River, learn about the orange and blue striped moths that populate our school, through the “Green Thumb” lessons grow plants and learn about their uses, and finally integrate their knowledge into the “Green Light” website. This website/multimedia channel allows the students to communicate their knowledge to the wider school community, and also to members of the city and global community.
2. Summary of Our Project
Within our school campus we have many plants that have symbolic or practical significance to the local aboriginal community. Members of the aboriginal community will help our students to understand the uses of these plants, and also alert them to the need for conservation. Using the knowledge gained from their interaction with these community leaders, our students will use a variety of multimedia tools to communicate their knowledge of local plants. They will also start a nursery in our school as a means of putting their knowledge of conservation into action.
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: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):
Not all of our students have computers at home, so much of the students’ work with computers must be done at school. The Taitung County government provides many online resources for the study of local plants, and we have wi-fi in our school so that computing resources can be used portably, and can in some cases be taken home.
The Educational Bureau of the Taitung County Government has offered us a lot of assistance in the project, and in conjunction with the Microsoft Corporation (we are a “Microsoft School of the Future”), we have made wide use of Microsoft software such as the Live@edu web app, Photosynth, Movie Maker, and ICE, and we owe our advisors from Microsoft Taiwan a debt of gratitude for their assistance. We also make use of FREE resources such as Google to achieve our aims.
4. Problems We Had To Overcome
In establishing our “Green Light” website, and along with this fostering a desire to conserve local plants, soil, and water among our students, one of our primary goals was to both extend and verify our own knowledge of this subject. This involved a lot of personal study, and a considerable expenditure of time, so in this sense our unit plan was a test for both the teachers and students involved!
5. Our Project Sound Bite
Learn By Doing!
6. How did your activities and research for this CyberFair Project support standards, required coursework and curriculum standards?
?Language Ability 1?Ability to answer questions orally and command of subject. 2?Is able to integrate information gathered from interviews and use inductive reasoning. 3?Is able to use online and printed resources and to integrate knowledge gathered from these resources. 4?After enrichment activities, is able to state emotional responses to the material. ?Ability to Work in Groups 1?Is able to work within groups during the activity, and contributes to group work. 2?Understands the need for cooperation and a sense of personal responsibility with a group. ?Artistic and Cultural Ability 1?Uses experiences accumulated during previous lessons to complete a map of the Tai Ping River and helps in filming a movie. 2?Values working with others in the creation of artwork, and enhances others’ ability to appreciate their natural environment. ?Social Ability 1?Improves the knowledge base within the community, and understands the beauty of our home. 2?Takes part in games that test knowledge of our school plants and our natural environment. ?Technological Ability 1?Uses many different kinds of IT tools, and integrates knowledge gained from conversations and other sharing activities into the use of these IT tools. 2?Uses necessary electronic equipment during interviews. ?Health and Physical Fitness 1?As part of our theme, understands the value of physical fitness and working with others. 2?Understands the need to turn off the TV, get outside, and experience nature.
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