CyberFair Project ID: 4850

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International Schools CyberFair Project Narrative
Title: The Little Green Elves-The Farmland Treefrog
Category: 4. Local Specialties
URL: http://librarywork.taiwanschoolnet.org/gsh2007/gsh4850/index.htm
Bibliography: http://librarywork.taiwanschoolnet.org/gsh2007/gsh4850/narrative.htm

School: She Tuan Primary School
    Chiayi County, Taiwan, Taiwan

30 students, ages 8-12 worked together to complete this CyberFair project on February 28, 2007. They have participated in CyberFair in the following year(s): 2006

Classes and Teachers: Director Ying Juan Li,Director Wen Ying Yang,Principal Ying Sen Liu

E-Mail contact:

Our School's Web Site: http://www.stps.cyc.edu.tw

Project Overview

1. Description of Our Community

Farmland treefrogs are one of the green treefrogs that are only available in Taiwan. Their current known distributions are in Yunlin and south of Chiayi. Their main habitats include the hill and plain area that is at the south of Jhuoshuei River and north of Zengwun River. This includes Chiayi's Dalin, Minhsiung, Chuchi, and Yunlin's Douliu, Dounan, and Gukeng where the distribution of Farmland treefrogs is most dense, and it is also where our school is located (Sanjiao Neighborhood of Dalin Township).

2. Summary of Our Project

Farmland treefrogs is a new species discovered by Professor Guang Yang Liu and others of NTNU in 1995. They are named 'Zhuluo' -- after Chiayi's ancient name. Because their habitat is very close to human environment and they were discovered only recently, they are not listed on the 'protected species.' Combined with their natural environment being urbanized, their survival is under series threat. We see them in and near our school campus, and we have designed a series of curriculum and activities with related informations that help students explore and learn about Farmland treefrogs. Such effort is done in the hope that everyone can care and protect these little creatures.

3. Our Computer and Internet Access

A. Percentage of students using the Internet at home:less than 20

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):

Our school has a computer classroom that opens to the community. It contains 10 computers for the students that have Fast Ethernet LAN and are connected to TANet via T1 dedicated line. As for the students, only a few have computers at home, and almost none of them has Internet access. Therefore, the school's computer classroom is open to the students as well as residents in our community.

4. Problems We Had To Overcome

1. Difficulty in tracing the whereabouts of Farmland treefrogs:We looked for Farmland treefrogs from summer till winter and from winter till next winter. They are very sensitive and would get away whenever they are approached by humans. We could only hear their croaking and couldn't see their actual existence in the summertime. In the winter, however, their activity level as well alertness have dropped, and we were able to conduct a series of ecological observations near the school campus. 2. Fund shortage:Holding events requires funding, and so does building a website. Fortunately, with the great support and funding provided by Beishih Cultural Development Association, the principal, school inspector, and officials. 3. The team's insufficient information capability:When this team was formed, the students' information capability was obviously insufficient, and additional learning was done during after-school hours. The instructing teachers also reinforced their own knowledge and learning through additional learning.Everyone worked so hard! Although this project is completed, I believe it's only a beginning rather than an end. It is a beginning for the grow of the learning group. 4. Insufficient information facility:The computer classroom originally used the computers that were purchased back in 1999 for the purpose of expansion. They are slow in running virtually any type of software, and they often freeze. Fortunately, in January of 2006, the county government gave us new computer equipments that facilitated our team in searching and organzing information. However, the DV was broken and sent for repair during the process, and the principal lent us his own DV and thus the video recording could continue. As for the recording of treefrogs' croaking, the IC recorders could only record clear sound in close quarters, we thus had to use laptop computers and sensitive microphones for this purpose.5. Planning members' activity time: It was hard for all members to gather together at the same time since everyone needed time to work on their part of the work and organize their data. Also, some of them had to partake other activities during the winter vacation. Therefore, we had to use flexible schedules and use e-mail, net phone, and IM programs to conduct long-distance collaboration to stay on top of our progress.

5. Our Project Sound Bite

During this dedicated project, we have learned the concepts of observing natural ecology and protecting the nature. We also learned the techniques in gathering and organizing information.During this project, we also learned many computer techniques, gathered a lot of information on frogs, and we have also participated in many exciting Farmland treefrog exploration activities.We also learned how to use and develop the ecological box.We used it as the temporary home for the Farmland treefrogs. Ms. Dong Jun Chang (frog witch) told us that Farmland treefrogs only eat things that are alive, and we could put fruit in the box to attract fruit flies that can be preyed on by Farmland treefrogs. We have observed the low level of activity in Farmland treefrogs. They dug holes for hibernation when they were put in the box, and their bodies turned to a brownish color. At last, we had to return the We also learned how to use digital equipments such as: digital cameras, DV, IC recorders, and portable drives. Our team members now all know how to use digital cameras to take pictures and DV to shoot video footage.Farmland treefrogs to nature -- where they belong.

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

During the process, we have applied the knowledge and skills we learned at school including the language domain, natural science and technology, art and cultural domain, comprehensive activities, and life education on our project, and this has helped us understand better our own community, features, and the scholars and experts. During the six-month long explorations, we began with knowing our community and worked our way to dedicated study on our local features. Under the instruction of Professor Ching Lin -- head of NCYU Educational Technology, we learned to use BIG6 to categorize the information we gathered from books, magazines, newspapers, the Internet, and community interviews. Besides completing the tasks as community ambassadors and little instructors, we have also learned new things in the learning activities. We also learned about team work and how to share our work according to our own specialties and interests. For example, we get into several smaller groups for each task. For interviews, we get into an interview team, a recording team, and a photography team. This allows high efficiency in our work and helps us truly feel that we are a team. The classmates who didn't joint our team also actively helped us out, and we truly thank them.

At school, we have information education curriculum, and we used the computer skills and techniques of producing dedicated reports that we learned at school for our activities. We feel that the Internet is so closely related to our lives, and the convenience it offers has especially helped us quickly contact other people and gather the needed information. Since it was hard for us to get together at the same time and each of us needs time to work on our own tasks, and some of us had to join other camp activities during the winter vacation, we had to use flexible schedules. In order to stay on top of our progress, besides using e-mails, we also used net phones and IM programs to conduct long-distance collaborative learning via the Internet. If it wasn't for the Internet, we wouldn't be able to finish our tasks on schedule. As for the part of constructing the website, we also invited Professor Guo Hong Huang of NCYU Educational Technology to teach us the techniques in constructing a dedicated website on the topic of local features. We worked together as a team, completed the task, and learned so much from the process.

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Project Elements

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

The technologies we utilized include the following: Field Exploration Scholars, experts, residents in our community , and parent-volunteers come together to design and participate in a series of explorative curriculum. IC Recorders Used in oral interviews, interviewing experts and residents in our community, and understanding treefrogs' activity sites. Library, Books, Newspaper Information gathered from the Internet is gathered, categorized, and organized via the following six steps (BIG6): define questions, strategy of seeking information, find and acquire information, utilize information, integrate information, and evaluate information. Water-Quality Tester, Thermometer Inspect to see if the water quality and the environment is appropriate for the growth of the treefrogs. Internet

(e-mail, net phone, and IM programs) Use the Internet to look for related website texts, pictures, and multimedia files. Communicate with net-friends.

Use e-mail, net phone, and IM programs to communicate. PC, DV, Video Capture Card Take pictures and shoot video footage during interviews. The videos are converted into stream-lined clips that are recorded on VCDs. Scanner, Printer Scanner is used to process images, and printer is used to photocopy information. Telephone, Fax Telephone and fax are used to communicate with the interviewees. Portable Drives, CD, Burner Related information is stored in these media before being uploaded to a PC that has no Internet access for editing files and print-out. Digital Camera Used to take digital images. Portable Hard Drive Backup webpage data. Computer Software Namo?Dreamweaver?PhotoImpact?Flash?Office,ACDSee.......? Dry wet thermometer We use the dry wet thermometer to survey the Farmland Treefrog's hibernation environment the temperature and relative humidity.

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

During this dedicated project, we have learned the concepts of observing natural ecology and protecting the nature. We also learned the techniques in gathering and organizing information. During the lectures and explorations, we also got to know Teacher Rong Cheng Lai, Professor Jiong Hsi Liu, and Ms. Chiong Wen Chang (Dong Jun) who know a great deal about Farmland treefrogs, and the news reporters such as Chang Gung Tsai from UDN and Che Chuan Chuang of China Times, and reporters from CYC TV. All of them have great passion for Farmland treefrogs and have spent a lot of time and energy on studying frogs. Such dedication really inspires us.

During this project, we also learned many computer techniques, gathered a lot of information on frogs, and we have also participated in many exciting Farmland treefrog exploration activities. With the guidance by Teacher Yu Ching Liu and Teacher Miao Chan Lin, we made drawings and clay-shaping of treefrogs. Director Li told us that our works, whether drawings or clay-shaping, were all so beautiful, and they will be put on display in the graduation ceremony. We feel such a strong sense of achievement.

We also learned how to use and develop the ecological box. The ecological box was prepared by Director Yang and the 3rd year students during the 3rd year natural science class. We used it as the temporary home for the Farmland treefrogs. Ms. Dong Jun Chang (frog witch) told us that Farmland treefrogs only eat things that are alive, and we could put fruit in the box to attract fruit flies that can be preyed on by Farmland treefrogs. We have observed the low level of activity in Farmland treefrogs. They dug holes for hibernation when they were put in the box, and their bodies turned to a brownish color. At last, we had to return the Farmland treefrogs to nature -- where they belong.

Besides organizing the website material, we have also described the attractions and specialties of our community. During the entire learning activity, each event is a surprise and great discovery to us.

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

Our entire school has worked together in order to participate in this year's Cyberfair. Under the leadership of Principal Ying Sen Liu, Director Ying Juan Li and Direcor Wen Ying Yang, Chief Miao Chan Lin, Chief Li Fen Chang, Teacher Yong Lin Guo, Teacher Yu Chin Liu, Ms. Liu Cheng Chu, and Teacher Jun Hsiung Chen all have dedicated themselves in this project. The grade 5 students and teachers are our main force, and Bang Yu who is grade 4 has also helped us. We thank all of them sincerely.

The 1st year alumni returned to our school on the day of the exhibition and donated many books. Da Han Bookstore also donated many useful computer books. Beishih Cultural Development Association also covered the entire funding for the Farmland Treefrog Exploration Team. The principal of our principal, Principal Wen Chi Jian of Shiulin Elementary School, and Dong Shan Chang, the school inspector sent by the Department of Education, also came to the exhibition to instruct and encourage us. We felt so warm when we thought of all the assistance and help we received from these people as we were busy with conducting camp events, organizing data, and checking on progress.

The parents of the students in our school also talk to us about Farmland treefrogs, like the discoveries they had in the bamboo forests near their homes. They are so enthusiastic when they talk about this topic.

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

Fortunately, with the great support and funding provided by Beishih Cultural Development Association, the principal, school inspector, and officials. During the lectures and explorations, we also got to know Teacher Rong Cheng Lai, Professor Jiong Hsi Liu, and Ms. Chiong Wen Chang (Dong Jun) who know a great deal about Farmland treefrogs, and the news reporters such as Chang Gung Tsai from UDN and Che Chuan Chuang of China Times, and reporters from CYC TV. All of them have great passion for Farmland treefrogs and have spent a lot of time and energy on studying frogs. Such dedication really inspires us. Under the leadership of Principal Ying Sen Liu, Director Ying Juan Li and Direcor Wen Ying Yang, Chief Miao Chan Lin, Chief Li Fen Chang, Teacher Yong Lin Guo, Teacher Yu Chin Liu, Ms. Liu Cheng Chu, and Teacher Jun Hsiung Chen all have dedicated themselves in this project. The grade 5 students and teachers are our main force, and Bang Yu who is grade 4 has also helped us. We thank all of them sincerely. The discovery of Farmland treefrogs during the process was made possible with the support from Beishih Cultural Development Association and leadership from Professor Jiong Hsi Liu, Teacher Rong Cheng Lai, and the 'frog witch' Chiong Wen Chang (Dong Jun).

5) Discoveries, Lessons and Surprises (Optional)

China Times C1/Focus on Yunlin and South of Chiayi 2006/01/28

Children's Perspective Expands with Farmland Treefrog Exploration Camp

?Chang Gung Tsai/Reports from Dalin?

Dalin Township Shetuan Elementary School's five day long 'Farmland Treefrog Exploration Camp' had ended. More than 20 children who were given certificates for completing this even finally got to see Farmland treefrogs in the wintertime when Farmland treefrogs conceal themselves. They also saw Taipei treefrogs -- something rare in the southern region of Taiwan. They had also discovered Chinese treefrogs, the only treefrogs among the toads in Taiwan that climb trees. Dong Jun Chang, the 'Frog Witch,' joined the exploration camp on the 27th to talk to children about frogs. The rich knowledge on frogs helped the children to gain a better understanding of these creatures. The participants didn't have a high hope of discovering Farmland treefrogs in their 5 day long event for two reasons: they could only hear the croaking, and the treefrogs currently have concealed themselves for hibernation.

Under the guidance of people such as Professor Jiong Hsi Liu of NTTU, one of the participants, Feng Chi Jiang, first discovered Farmland treefrogs. Since there is no past documentation of Farmland treefrogs discovered in winters, Principal Ying Sen Liu called Feng Chi Jiang the 'pioneer' of discovering Farmland treefrogs in wintertime. Rong Chen Lai, a teacher from Sieh Chih High School, worked as an investigator in the exploration camp, and had discovered more than 60 habitats of Farmland treefrogs in Dalin. Sanjiao Neighborhood, where Shetuan Elementary School is located, is a new discovery site. During the process of seeking Farmland treefrogs, the students also found Chinese treefrogs that were entirely covered in green, and they thought they were actually Farmland treefrogs as well. When Jiong Yi Liu and Dong Jun Chang explored the fruit farm yesterday, they also found Taipei treefrogs that were rare to be seen in southern Taiwan, and one brownish Farmland treefrog. The students also strengthened their impression of Farmland treefrogs through activities such as drawing and clay-shaping.

What would have thought that so many kinds of frog actually climb trees! Seeing these treefrogs' toes with sucking discs, the children have realized that not all frogs only live by water.

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