1) What information tools & technologies did you used to complete your CyberFair project?
1. Internet- To research information on the attributes, advantages and disadvantages of a business or organization providing a service to the community 2. Digital Still Camera – To photograph the tour and the interviews 3. Digital Video Camera – to video the tour and the interviews 4. Video Capture Card – To transfer the video data from the digital video camera to the computer to edit 5. Printer – To print assignments, Interview and survey questions 6. E-mail – To contact the businesses 7. Telephone – To contact businesses 8. Copier –To duplicate assignments, Interview and survey questions 9. Computer Software – Ulead Video Studio 10, Photoshop, Microsoft Office Suite
2) In what ways did you act as "ambassadors" and spokespersons for your CyberFair project both on-line and in person.
The students were able to sit with the business representatives during the interviews and survey sessions. These included the owner, the manager or an employee representative. The students were able to answer questions about the school and the CyberFair project. This exchange of information enabled the businesses the opportunity to find out more about Discovery Charter School and its mission. Along with the interview, each business or organization took a survey given by the students. More than fifty percent of the businesses or organizations surveyed believed that the student involvement enabled a closer working relationship between the school and their organization or business. There was equal excitement experienced by both parties - the students and the businesses. The students were excited initially about the CyberFair project and then with the opportunity to visit businesses and organizations located in the same building as DCS. The businesses excitement stemmed from the opportunity to share what service they provide to the community with the students. The opportunity for the businesses to learn more about Discovery Charter School have always been present, it was a lack of initiative on the businesses part that lead to the lack of understanding. Consequently, the tours and interviews aided our students in two ways. The first was that they were able to participate in the entire experience of the CyberFair and second they became liaisons for the school to the businesses and organizations that they interviewed.
3) What has been the impact of your project on your community?
Besides the project bridging the gap of the students learning past the four walls of the school, the businesses and organizations have become knowledgeable of how they are similar to the other businesses. The website will showcase each business and organization that the students interviewed and surveyed. This information included how the businesses and organizations Impacted the community. A majority of the businesses or organizations expressed their opinion of how exciting it would be to see the video and the photographs taken during the interviews and tours on the website. This comment gave the students another way of making the website interesting for each business to build a stronger relationship between their fellow business and organizations in and around the Philadelphia Business and Technology Center. On the day our site is revealed, all participating businesses and organizations will be invited to the second press conference. The press will show our school as we display, on our website, the major changes that have been taking place in the Philadelphia Business and Technology Center. “Businesses in the business of helping the local community.”
4) How did your project involve other members of your community as helpers and volunteers?
First, all the students would like to thank the Chief Administrative Officer, Mrs. Kelley, for having the vision of creating Discovery Charter School, which is in the business of helping grow the youth in our community. Secondly, Ms. Marjorie and Mr. Parker, the founders of the Philadelphia Business and Technology Center, assisted in the logistics of the students moving through the building and providing a tour of the entire complex. Third, to the teachers, for their flexibility in allowing the students to be dismissed during a test, quiz or instruction to tour, interview and survey the business and organizations. Fourth, to the DCS video club, for always being prepared to take photos or video. And finally, to the businesses and organizations that were willing to give a minute or two to the students.
5) Discoveries, Lessons and Surprises (Optional)
Being new to the CyberFair, the primary goal was to create an environment for the students that would be engaging and exciting. Here are just a few activities to what was presented in and out of the classroom. 1. Toured the outside of the new business development in the community. 2. Organized each class into groups. The students picked fancy names for their group and a leader. 3. Viewed all business and organizations in the Philadelphia Business and Technology Center on the Internet. 4. Students created over 400 interview and survey questions to be narrowed down to eight questions for the interview form and eleven survey questions. 5. Toured with the local news radio station around the entire Philadelphia Business and Technology Center 6. Interview and survey each participating business and organization in the Philadelphia Business and Technology Center.
|