Classes and Teachers: Shu-Min Fang

E-Mail contact: stevenh@cm1.hinet.net

School: Chung Cheng Junior High School

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

4. Problems We Had To Overcome

(1) It's late for us to start our plan. Luckily, we got help of Uncle Ro who provided lots of useful information and advice for us, and introduced us to some local people in Gio-fen. Hence, we saved a lot of time. In addition, we worked with the local history researchers and classified information. Then, we share our knowledge with people around the around world through internet. 

(2) Our schedule was seriously delayed by the bad weather and the strike of Xiang Shen typhoon here. Besides, we still have the pressure from the school assignment and tests. The only thing we can do is to give up rest time in holidays to work on our project with all our efforts. 

(3) Some problems in making homepage: In order to get the best effect on art design and dynamics, the team leader use VBScript to make Taiwan CyberFair welcoming homepage. But with IE5 to support VBScript only, there is connecting problems, we are afraid that it will become some shortcoming in entering international CyberFair. In order to reach the most effect and make use of every browser, the team leader got to learn JavaScript in a short period .We wish to make better welcoming page and homepage through the interactive button and content browser.

5. Our Project Sound Bite

(2) Through doing this project, we have improved our skills of writing, interviewing, discussing with each other, gathering information, and working cooperatively. Those skills might hardly learn from the traditional teaching and learning processes in schools. 

(3) The Goble Village era is coming. Our government is leading all elementary and secondary school students to an era of computer and English. An important issue is how to integrate the resources of communities and share them with the people all over the world in order to create new energy for people throughout the world. Teenagers are the future leaders of this society; therefore, our first and important mission is to master information and share with the world.

(4) The most worthy of mention is that we've learned how to use different tools of technology. For example, we've learned how to use the tape recorder and digital camera to take down the information we got from our small group discussion. Everyone in our team shares everything and every different opinion. Besides, we also know the method to design a homepage and e-mail, and how to use Ulead PhotoImpact4.2 to edit the photos this project.

2) What information tools & technologies did you used to complete your Cyberfair project?

We used not only computer to surf to the internet and record information, but also digital tape recorders to take down the process of an interview. Furthermore, we also used digital camera to take pictures and transferred them into the computer. Postcards, photos and pictures were scanned. We applied Ulead PhotoImpact4.2 to edit the images and all pictures and to design the interface of our homepage. Microsoft Word 2000 and Excel 2000 were used to do word processing and to draw the tables. Front Page 2000 was the main software for us to design our homepage. But our leader also used JavaScript to make our homepage perfect. Though we met lots of difficulties and consumed a lot of time, the result is satisfying. Our computer is equipped with Pentium CPU and Windows 98 system. Besides, we gathered most information from TV programs and newspapers, and use Cyber searcher system to get more detailed information.

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

We set up three goals for this project. First, we did teamwork and some other creative learning strategies. For example, we gathered information, did interviews with local people, cooperated with the history studio, did group discussion, and designed a homepage. We would also like to introduce this learning strategy to the teenagers in our community. And then, with the notice of the website, we introduced International CyberFair to other people in our society, and take part in this interesting and meaningful activity. Third, we would like to introduce our beautiful sights in Taiwan to the people around the world. The country tour could never be just tasting snacks and playing, but it would become an intellectual journey. We are so moved by the sincere assistance of people in the Gio-fen history studio and Gio-fen Teahouse. They provided us with many precious and wonderful suggestions. Furthermore, we strongly recommend our schoolteachers and classmates to attend this activity. Most of them reveal their will to join this activity next year. In this case, we served not only the messenger of Gio-fen, but that of the International CyberFair.

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

In Taiwan, the traditional teaching method makes student learn the lessons by rote. Students lack chances to learn from cooperating with each other to develop their own ways of learning and perceiving knowledge and information. This time, we had a chance to learn through cooperation and every team member knows how to use tape recorder and digital camera to gather needed information. Now, we want to improve our English writing and speaking abilities. We hope to finish an oral and a written English tour for the foreign visitors to let the beauty of Taiwan be known by people around the world. Of course, our team members are willing to be the messengers of Taiwanese culture. In addition, when conducting an interview with Mr. Hong in Gio-fen Teahouse, he mentioned the idea of operating the business in a different way. We proposed a plan in which we could help him spread the art of tea to the teenagers and other people. It could not only revive the fine art of Chinese tea, but also develop people's bodies and minds. Mr. Hong appreciated our ideas and made a serious consideration of our plan.

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

First, we would like to thank Mrs. Xing for her clear directions and instruction. Besides, our thankfulness also goes to three great mothers of our team members: Ms. Zhuang, Ms. Wu, and Ms. Cheng, for their hard and diligent work. They also accompanied us to gather information and the resources of the community to help us finish our project. Uncle Huang also let us use his studio to do group discussion and cooked delicious food for us. Our greatest gratitude goes to Uncle Lo of Gio-fen history studio. By conducting personal interviews and continually phoning and faxing, we had a chance to know Uncle Lo and accepted his help. Of course, we tried to present his aged-work though using computer technology. We also connected what we have got from the local residents with what Uncle Lo had researched for years. He is quite satisfied with this program. Besides, we would also like to thank Mr. Hong for his sharing what he has known about Gio-fen and how he operated his business to fulfill his dream. With his help, we could realize the rise and fall of Gio-fen and the problem she might encounter in the future. By exchanging opinions, Mr. Hong seemed to get some inspiration from our plan. That is what we have never imaged.

6) Discoveries, Lessons and Surprises (Optional)

We've learned lots of precious lessons and experiences from our project: First, we learned that the traditional learning strategy where route had ruled so long was not useful in dealing with this project. Without a comprehensive and ample knowledge, one can hardly understand this wonderful and mysterious world. Second, we also found out that the Internet was such a lovely thing that it can lead us to the world of scholarly knowledge. And our mission is to dig out the treasure from the world of Internet. Finally, we have learned how to appreciate things around us, be it the historical background, the culture, and the beautiful sights. As long as we open our mind, we could certainly discover something new and surprising. With the experience of conducting this project, we would shout, " I love you, Taiwan," and persistently and energetically strive to carry out our aims.