CyberFair Project ID: 7847

Close this Window

NOTE: Due to URL changes, some links may no longer be valid.

International Schools CyberFair Project Narrative
Title: Capture the Beauty of Ecology - Tsai Meng-Shin
Category: 1. Local Leaders
URL: http://librarywork.taiwanschoolnet.org/gsh2014/gsh7847/index.htm
Bibliography: http://librarywork.taiwanschoolnet.org/gsh2014/gsh7847/bi.htm

School: Erhlin High School
    Changhua, Taiwan, Taiwan

9 students, ages 16-17 worked together to complete this CyberFair project on March 19, 2014. They have participated in CyberFair in the following year(s): 2013

Classes and Teachers: Wang Wen-Tsun, Huang Chung-Chieh, Chiang Ya-Lin

E-Mail contact:

Our School's Web Site: http://www.elsh.chc.edu.tw/

Project Overview

1. Description of Our Community

The terrain of Changhua County as an isosceles triangle, located in central Taiwan. It is a place where is full of cultural atmosphere and a deep sense of hospitality, although it is the smallest county in Taiwan, its geographical advantage made Changhua County one of the earliest developed regions. Another geographical advantage, flat and fertile plains, makes it an agricultural development county in Taiwan as well.

2. Summary of Our Project

The topic of this research is Tsai Meng-Shin who won the 5th place of 2013 world rankings in Photographic Society of America (PSA). Photography has been very interesting to us whom attend photography courses at school, taught us how to take videos, photos, etc. Furthermore, many photographical professionals are invited to give speeches which we benefit a lot from. Whereas the school instructor invited Tsai Meng-Shin for a speech, which was our first acquaintance of him. Surprisingly, such a well-known distinguished photographer having taken so many top-notch ecological photographs is also from Changhua. We admire him the most that his life style and his photography course, especially his patience and never-ending enthusiasm towards photography. Consequently, this drives us to dig further and understand Tsai Meng-Shin better.

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):

This study has carried out at one of our school computer labs. Two main cables are a 60M fiber-optic cable and a 100M TANET fiber-optic cable. The network of each computer at school is linkable. Additionally, the electronic device is perfect and available in every classroom for our query search and use, so as Wi-Fi is available at administrative area such as offices and the library.

4. Problems We Had To Overcome

Time limitation: We carried out this project at duration of school days. We can only sacrifice nap time and lunch time to discuss at a computer lab. Although the time was only thirty-five minutes for each gathering, we pooled all resources, and accumulated them bit by bit. Limited condition is still able to accomplish the plan and our determination. There is no such climate as giving-up among all of us. We fully took advantages of all resources and time we had. No matter on holiday or at night, as long as we were free, we searched information at home and then used a network drive uploaded progress, or reported the progress on Facebook and interacted with each other. Precious time: Since Tsai had bitten by tsutsugamushi accidentally in Orchid Island, his immunity decreased that he underwent chemotherapy as we had the interview; consequently, we needed to coordinate his physical condition, so time became more compact.

5. Our Project Sound Bite

In this ingenious opportunity, we has had a chance to be a part of this blog project, a sincere practical. Our lives in senior high school were tiring and all members were not related to each other, after all we had encountered, our feelings towards to each other is as firm as a family. We developed tenaciously. We shared a same goal and coordinated with each other. The purpose of this project is to let us learn, listen and follow Tsai Meng-Shin with his photographic skills and mentality. This blog project is to encourage students at all levels to perform and practice all techniques through case studies and teamwork which help all students explore local culture and native environment. The participants can learn not only these, but a focus on the ability to identify and dialogue with the people that stand behind the meaning. Such skills cannot learn from books. Practice is, however, the only way to sharp and well versed in skills makes the place of this blog project in our minds.

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

Our school has launched video production course for several years. As we were a freshman at school, we envied as some seniors filming their own movi. We also knew “Taiwan Schools Cyberfair” is a part of School Actualization Program which our school, Erlin High School, was in part of this program for some time. Moreover, this blog project is not only for the program but also a great benefit for students digging into a deeper layer of photography. When we interview Tsai Meng-Shin, he is conscientious to guide us some basic concepts of photography, for instance, adjusting angles, screen, etc. These are basic but important skills in photography, and he led us to follow his student on field. This experience was very precious that take us going a better level of photography so as to a better development in photography.

Top
Project Elements

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

In the process of this project, our instructors and other teachers has assisted us a lot as well as consultations, no matter, technical problems, technological equipment and time allocation for all of team members etc., so that nine members from different classes, were able to break the limitation of time and space having regular meetings. Whether at home or on holiday, our team members could contact and discuss with each other. In addition, we ran all over the central Taiwan during the project, those school electronic devices helped us in all ways to accomplish this project. We recorded many important images and conversation which we collect our primary information.

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

First of all, we surfed the Internet to collate information, and then the group discussions that discussed what is needed, what cannot be found and what issues had been raised as surfing the Internet. Next, we went to visit Tsai Meng-Shin seeking for answers. The following day as we visited him, he warmly invite us to go on trip with his students that we learned ecological photography skills. By doing this, we were able to observe him closely, and to have chances to encounter with his love ones like his wife, children and his students.

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

Because of this project, we are more aware of environment protection and improving photography skills. We were shame that we didn’t know such a powerful figure, Tsai Meng-Shin from Changhua. The one-time windfall that because of the influence of Tsai, we improved the techniques of photography and knowledge of ecology; furthermore, it reflected on the importance of balance ecology system as well. We hope this website affect people to think and understand the importance of environment protection. Not only Tsai Meng-Shin but also all of us should concern our ecological environment.

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

We found very little relevant information about Mr. Tsai from Yuanlin Community Collage Newsletter. Therefore, the most of useful information was from his interview. We found it wasn’t easy as we needed to take a lot of effort in order to compile a full page of information. Consequently, while we benefited from someone’s work, we ought to respect the intellectual property rights of others and indicate the source and reference. That is another windfall of the blog project we have learned from.

5) Discoveries, Lessons and Surprises (Optional)

In our series of studies, the most fruitful acquisition is a better understanding of photography. Insight of photography, the principles of photography cannot be separated with 'isosceles' which makes perfect image and clarity. Consistency and united are two indispensable qualities that explain our greatest lessons from this experience: 1.) How to simplify and condense an essay. 2.) The importance of teamwork. These are integral roles in the future. Most of members from this blog team are profound to engage in this area. From the process, we learn how to enrich ourselves and make ourselves more solid with knowledge. Not seeking for fame and share everything we know is our most impression onto Tsai Meng-Shin, perhaps this is what we need to absorb the most.

Top

View our CyberFair Project (Project ID: 7847)

Close this Window