School: Jing Siou Elementary School
    Changhua, Changhua, Taiwan

12 students, ages 10-12 worked together to complete this CyberFair project on March 8, 2018. They have participated in CyberFair in the following year(s): 2014,2015,2016,2017

Classes and Teachers: Liu, Yi-Sheng (???), Liu, Xiong-Zhi (???),Wu, Hong-Zheng (???)

E-Mail contact:

Our School's Web Site: http://eweb2.sjses.chc.edu.tw/eweb/100_5

1. Description of Our Community

Changhua County has been known as Taiwan Rice Warehouse, which was long ago called Babuza, the name given by the aboriginals and was put down in Chinese characters by transliteration. The origin of the name Yuanlin can be traced as far back as to Yong Zheng Period of Qing Dynasty. Legend has it that during the reign of Yong Zheng (1723-1735), the area of Yuanlin had been reclaimed by the Han people, the prime pioneer being Shi, Shi-Bang. It, then, was under the jurisdiction of Yan Wu Up and Down Fort. Around the 16th year of the reign of Emperor Qian Long, it had been developed into a town named Yuanlin Zi Street because of its circle shape (its Chinese pronunciation is “yuan”) which was the outcome of the reclamation from all around. It was also widely known as Lin Zi Street because of the flourishing woods that surrounded it ( woods in Chinese is pronounced as “lin”). The range of our local community research is set within Changhua County, centering upon Yuanlin City. The railway related scenic spot in Changhua is connected by the railroads and renders them valuable as railway tourism resources.

2. Summary of Our Project

Taiwan Railways Western Line had been separated into two lines started from south of Zhunan Station and the lines converged at north of Changhua Station. In Changhua Station, there is a train maintenance base and a roundhouse, which is the only roundhouse in Taiwan. In the past, Changhua sugar railways were all around the towns in Changhua. It also supervised the section of passenger transport. Nowadays, however, there are only some parts of the sugar railways that are still functioning. Only Xi Hu Sugar Refinery still carried on, and because the sugar railway to the Refinery is a distance away from the scenic station – Wu Fen Station, the other parts of the railway were abandoned or dismantled. Presently, Yuanlin Station is the first elevated railway track in Changhua County. Besides being an agricultural area, Changhua County is also abundant with railway scenic spot resources; therefore, we decided to focus our research on them so as to take people on a Changhua County railway in-depth journey.

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:4-6

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):

• There are two computer rooms in the school and 70 computers in total for students to access to. • Every of the class-teacher is allotted a computer or a laptop, and in each class there is a LCD projector. • The E- classrooms were set up in 2009. They are equipped with interactive whiteboards. • The main campus network T1 gives access to academic network, and we also have a backup optical network. • There are three Wireless Access Points in school and wifi is available on campus. • The school bought three 3.5G wireless internet access for teachers and students to access to.

4. Problems We Had To Overcome

1.A Lack of the Ability to Collect Data:Description:The students lack the ability to arrange data. When searching for information, it was not easy for them to find the information that conforms to the research topic.Solutions:The students were divided into groups and were encouraged to cooperate, which sped up the process of information gathering. Through group discussions, the teachers also led the students to sort the information properly. 2. Slow in Typing and an Unfamiliarity with the Software: Description:Since the students type pretty slowly, it took longer time for them to type in the information. Besides, losing or mistakenly deleting the file happened quite often. What’s more, because of the unfamiliarity with the software, unexpected accidents happened when arranging the photos and the research data and therefore put off the rate of progress. Solutions:The students were asked to prepare flash drives and make good use of online hard drive to backup data. The students were also intensively taught to use software and encouraged to share their using experiences. As to the typing part, they were encouraged to practice more during the breaks or at home.

5. Our Project Sound Bite

By participating in Cyberfair activity, the students visited railway related scenic spots in Changhua County. The activity has given the students who learn majorly through text books a chance to walk out of the classrooms and have a field visit to reacquaint themselves with the things and places they knew about. By every step they took to explore the railway scenic spots, the students did not only learn the professional knowledge of them, they also saw the beauty of their hometown.

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

A.The Research Theme Closely Intertwines with the Listed Seven Fields:Language,Social Study,Scientific Technology,Comprehensive Bearings,Arts and Humanities,Health and Physical Education,Information Technology Education B.The Research Process Cultivates Ten Basic Capabilities: Getting to Know Oneself and Understanding the Developing Potentials Appreciation, Performance and Innovation Pre-planning for the Future and Lifelong Education Expression, Communication and Sharing Respect, Showing Care and Cooperation Cultural Learning and Global Vision Planning, Organizing and Performing The Application of Technology and Information Active Exploration and Research Critical Thinking and Problem Solving

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

The Technology Used to Do the Research: Field StudyTo do an interview at railway scenic spots and historical relic halls Online Library:To search for railway scenic spots related information and learning materials Computer, Notebook:To transcribe the interview recording, look for information online, analyze and arrange the data and make a website Projector:To project related information to illustrate or explain how to use software in group discussion Cellphone, Pad Computer and Pen Recorder:To record, take photos and videotape during the field visit Flash Drive/ Online Hard Drive:To save and backup the information

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

The New Force of Railway Scenic Culture Heritage: Through participating in the research project, we found that most of the students were pretty keen on participating in it and learning about the development history of traditional railways and the use application of relevant relics. Their interests to have a profound exploration into the development history of the railway scenic spot had been aroused, which further spurred the railway relic heritage and scenic spot development.

The Vanguards who Leant and Pass On the Railway Relics: Besides personally visiting Nantou Checheng , Changhua Roundhouse, Jingxiu Railway Cultural Park, Shetou Township Farmers' Association, Shetou Fu Jing Restaurant, Shetou Tong Ren She, Shetou Hosiery Industrial Association, Shetou Xin He Chun Sauce Factory and Changhua Xi Hu Sugar Refinery, through our visit and research, we also hope to arouse others’ interests in railway scenic spots, which will accelerate the promotion of it.

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

School and Community: In the process of our study, we received the supports not only from the school but also from the community and people from the town or from other towns. There was an intertwining connection between the school and the community, and that made us feel the warmhearted hospitality of our hometown. Residents and the Environment: We hope our website show the world the beauty of Changhua railway relics and we also aim to draw people’s attention to their values, which will benefit local tourism industry. Students: After many field trips and much time put in information search, we got to know a lot of things we didn’t know, for example, we did not know that there are many railway scenic spots and historical relic halls in Changhua County. Therefore, we want to share our acquired knowledge and experience with more out-of-towners through the website, so that they will be encouraged to visit these spots which will lead to an animation of local tourism industry and tourist attractions.

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

Our appreciation also goes to the staff members and relevant people of Nantou Checheng , Changhua Roundhouse, Jingxiu Railway Cultural Park, Shetou Township Farmers' Association, Shetou Fu Jing Restaurant, Shetou Tong Ren She, Shetou Hosiery Industrial Association, Shetou Xin He Chun Sauce Factory and Changhua Xi Hu Sugar Refinery and etc. They took time out of their busy schedules to give us interviews, offer us relevant information and share valuable knowledge and experiences with us and we benefitted a lot from it. Our school faculty fully supported us: The principal, directors, teachers and parents fervently helped and guided the students during the interview, photos taking and reports writing. They also offered to pick them up. Their encouragement is our biggest motive.

5) Discoveries, Lessons and Surprises (Optional)

Discoveries: 1. In Changhua, there are three rail systems, including Taiwan High Speed Rail, MRT and TRA. 2. Railway related relics had not been quite nicely preserved and many of them had been dismantled sequentially. Fortunately, there were many rail fans that made efforts to protect the relics from damages and turned them into local attractions. They attract many people from different places and that is a brilliant promotion of the local tourism.

Lessons: 1. Before the interview, we need to absorb a lot of information and practice asking questions; otherwise, we will not know what to ask during the interview. 2. Remember to take notes because you will need them to remind you of the important details. 3. Finish taking notes of the interview right after the interview is done; otherwise, you will not have a clear memory of it. 4. Save the files in many places and make good use of online hard drive so you don’t lose them by accident. 5. There is always a possibility of divergences in opinions and things don’t always go our ways. We have to be prepared for different possibilities.

Surprise: After participating in the research project, we realized that the railway in our hometown, Yuanlin, is a strikingly special station on Changhua and that arouses our vigor to preserve the railway relics. We hope that there are more people who can carry on the spirit of the rail fans and promote such attraction.