1) What information tools & technologies did you used to complete your CyberFair project?
As with any other science/social/humanities project of this scale, EVERY POSSIBLE RESOURCE was utilized by us. Just to name a few, we received a telephone call from our instructor, and took the MRT to the Baytow Hotspring Museum, where the guide there showed us slides on a large screen projector.
In addition, we found out their number on the internet, then confirmed that the phone was the most convenient means of communication, then we checked out information from libraries, websites, and bookstores for written data.
As for the more recent updates and happenings, we resorted to the news programs on TV and the radio. In fact, we had to watch a television show produced on the same topic, hotsprings, on Channel Three every weekend to get more relevant information. As we go to the actual sites, digital cameras were helpful in editing and storing the photos, but some parents felt that traditional cameras capture light a little better, thus comes in the play of scanners. During interviews, we found that tape recorders were much better and accurate than just jotting down notes here and there.
When we have accumulated enough data, under the guidance of instructors, we used softwares such as Little Painter and PhotoImpact to assist us in the artistic work of the webpage via computers. Also we transformed the Microsoft word documents one by one to the appropriate files, namely, the HTML files, and then we transformed that again to simply text files, which are then edited and arranged by Dreamweaver, before they are finally uploaded to the designated contest site via uploading softwares.
2) In what ways did you act as "ambassadors" and spokespersons for your CyberFair project both on-line and in person.
The "Taipei virtual hotspring" project was both larger in scope and larger in reallife size. The Yangmingshan is situated at the Datoon volcano region, which makes it quite difficult to photograph and collect data. Thus, we held school-wide photo competitions in order to let everyone know about this project, and hopefully call to their attention our precious environment, how beautiful it is, and how dangerous it is to neglect it or even destroy it.After the competition we realized that there are so many more caring parents than we expected. They not only care about their children, but also about the community they live in. In fact, they cared also about the children of other families and the next generation. Thus parents were all excited and anxious to share whatever resources they had to offer, as well as provide precious experiences and knowledge about the project. A friend of our parents, for example, provided us a clue which ultimately led to the discovery of the owner of "beauty dip" in the Tienlai hotspring region. Mr. Hong, the owner, was not only friendly and kind, but also well-read and knows everything there is to know to the region. He generously offered us a full day of "educational tour", consisting of a "walk back to time" -- the sulfur trail visit, and to find the fountainhead of hotsprings, and what made us all happy and excited was: we all got to take comfortable dips and great meals afterwards! We also set up "hotspring gremlins" village in the internet community which provides different people to exchange thoughts and ideas on the project.
3) What has been the impact of your project on your community?
The students in this project are the first group of students who were completely educated under the education reform program in our country starting in 1996. Their creativities exceed their fundamental trainings, and thus this project provided an excellent opportunity for the instructors to train and instill some seriousness and hard-working attitude in these kids.
In conducting the relevant research for this project, we realized two things: one is that there were already quite a few researches, books, and ideas on the region; two is that we are extremely lucky to be blessed with such treasure in our environment. However, as we studied the region even deeper, we realized that there are also many problems that demand to be solved in this wonderful community. Thus, we decided to think of some ways to improve and reform her. However, due to legal restrictions and practical considerations, we couldn't physically go "change" or "tear down" certain places. Thus, the creative students and intelligent instructor of our team came up with the simple yet fun and refreshing idea of "regional make-over". What we would do is that we would divide among ourselves several regions. Then we would each try to give the region a make-over, both in theory and in practice. The "practice" part would be to actually design, draw, and create a virtual blueprint for the region in question. We found this idea not only creative, but also help us analyze deeper and explore further the infinite possibilities of changing the place. The possibilities are infinite because we were only drawing them on paper, but at the same time the analysis could go deeper than usual because of the same reason.
In other words, we have become the creators of our environment, not just a passive resident who simply accepts what is already there.
4) How did your project involve other members of your community as helpers and volunteers?
In order to finish a project of this detail and scope, a team of poeple is definitely needed. Luckily, we could always trust and rely on our fellow citizens.
（1）Quanta Computer Education Foundation, upon learning that we were still going to integrate "technology" with "humanities", generously sponsored our webpage production, making us a good example of how businesses and education could mutually compliment each other.
（2）Mr. Shee, the local gentleman, upon hearing our project, wisely reminded us that the Baytow hotspring region has already been discussed too much, and that we ought to focus on the less talked about, but equally interesting and important Yangmingshan region ( also known as the Grass Mountain, due to the spectacular Mon Grass that fills the mountainsides )
（3）During the beginning phase of research, Mr. Young Wen, Dong Hwanshin, and Ms. Hsu Shuming sacraficed quite some time to brainstorm with our team members and we owe them our deepest thanks.
（4）The parents are highly supportive of the way we uses project research to apply what we learned in class to real life experiences, especially when it involves our own community. In addition to helping us with finding resources and financial support, they've also surprised us with their incredible artistic talent when they shone in the photo contests.
（5）Yangmingshan National Park Office has trained their guides well. The volunteers not only told us everything they know, and kindly offered to help with some research, but also taught our students by example how one can always give back to the community through what one has learned in class and in life.
Also, Mr.Hong Tiending showed us how to develop communities and regions andMr. Wang Waytren, Mr. Lin Mingyi both helped us shoot some wonderful photographs. Last, but not least, we owe much thanks to the people who accepted our interviews and gave us candid answers.
5) Discoveries, Lessons and Surprises (Optional)
Whithead's theory on what is called the "inter knowledge" clearly points out to us the setback of traditional education. From a teaching material's point of view, the textbook designs are too hung up on the "structure" of knowledge, instead of learning more about the "big picture", which is often times less clear to convey in words and put into a "structural" form. Thus students of the traditional education system often find it difficult to learn simultaneously through different fields.
Our project, then, focuses on helping students to understand "when" and "how" to apply what he or she has learned; we tried to put some incentive for them to learn, and in turn they will find a deeper learning strategy to manage the knowledge learned. Only through the integration of knowledge and life will the students feel the pleasure and joy of learning.
When the classrooms are moved to the outdoors, the contents are immediately more lively and more fun, thus more tempting to the students. When creativity comes into play, everything is brought to even newer heights. Our students have learned not only to accept knowledge as we receive it, but also through the intelligence and creativity of our mind, we have successfully "transformed" and "elevated" the old information, and made it into something different, something new, and something more.That, our dear fellow citizens of this global village, is what's important,that's what keeps us improving, that's what makes life bearable, that's what really counts.
In conclusion, through learning about your community, then making it into something new, something different, something more -- that is called "education".
And this refreshing definition of "education" has been, still is, and always shall be,the greatest reward of our months and months of hardwork put into the project.
In fact, this "education" itself is our very own discovery, lesson, and surprise in life.
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