School: Datong N0 3 Middle School
    Xining, Qinghai, China

7 students, ages 13-17 worked together to complete this CyberFair project on March 13, 2008. They have participated in CyberFair in the following year(s): none

Classes and Teachers: Hu Lin-zhi

E-Mail contact:

Our School's Web Site: http://qh000020.edu.17888.com

1. Description of Our Community

As one of the eight Haidong Counties, Datong County is surrounded by Lanque Mount, Daban Mount, and Niangniang Mount. In ancient war period, large amounts of migrants went to Qinghai Province for taking refuge. Four-tile Dance is also the folk culture migrated from Zhongyuan. It mainly performed in sacrificial ceremony. Huangjiazhai Town, as the only heritage of this dance, is facing the endangered situation. Because of tight budget, change of family construction and migrant labors, this dance is ignored and dying out.

2. Summary of Our Project

Most people are not familiar with Four-tile Dance. Why frog is chosen as taboo? What’s the meaning of four tiles? What’s the cultural value? What about its status quo? With such questions, we did research in Huangjiazhai Town of Datong County. We hope our reseach can draw more people’s attention to the intangible cultural heritage. More people can participate in the protection of our local folk culture.

3. Our Computer and Internet Access

A. Percentage of students using the Internet at home:none

B. Number of workstations with Internet access in the classroom:1

C. Connection speed used in the classroom:dedicated connection

D. Number of years our classroom has been connected to the Internet:4-6

E. Additional comments concerning your computer and/or Internet access (Optional):

There are only tem computers in campus, which are used by teachers to prepare for courses. The computers were used since 1998, and thus the speed is very low. There is no floppy drive or disk drive. We have to record the material on notebook and type into computer in our spare time. Neither of the student has computer at home.

4. Problems We Had To Overcome

The team members have little commonly free time apart from the time for group activities. Therefore, we make use of the spare time for group discussion with the teachers. This is the first time we participate in the Cyber Fair. The supervising teachers and the team members lack previous experience in webpage construction. We have to consult others whenever difficulties arise; hence, we have to overcome all kinds of hardships and difficulties during the process. Our computers are very old with low proceeding speed and surfing speed is also terrible. However, with our endeavor, we have succeeded in completing the website. We are proud of ourselves and the experience is unforgettable.

5. Our Project Sound Bite

We have got a better knowledge of Four-tile Dance history. The activity has enhanced our teamwork spirit and improved our communicating and interpersonal abilities.

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

At the beginning, we were innocent about Four-tile Dance. While at the end of the research, we can tell you its origin, facial make-up, special tools, and the meaning of the intangible cultural heritage. Our research is cross subjects, referring to Chinese, history, society, nature and practice. During the interview, we communicate with interviewees by dialect. Our team members cooperate in collecting information, classifying material and writing report. It’s also a good opportunity to improve our computer skills. ,Social science:In the research, we communicate with community dwellers and learn local culture. 2,history:In the research, we get to know the origin, cultural value and sacrificial ceremony of Four-tile Dance. 3,Natural science:In the research, we use many advanced digital equipment and our computer skill level is improved. 4,Chinese:All the team members learn to collect information, write report and edit web pages. It’s a good chance to improve our Chinese level. 5,practice:In the research, team members learn to cooperate and communicate with others. We discuss, share our experience, express our ideas and respect others.

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

1. Hardware facilities: computer, digital camera,Mp3:we can use computer to access to the Internet to search for more resource and use interview to record real life. For digital camera, it helps us to show pictures to people. 2. Computer software: Dreamweaver, Photoshop, Microsoft Word, CuteFtp, IE 3. Books 4. Internet 5. Oral interviews

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

We consider it our responsibility to make the public understanding the 'history of Four-tile Dance', thus we should play the role of 'community ambassadors' and reveal this history to others. We have tried to tell others what we know and introduced it to school mates and villagers. We interviewed senior artists, experts, government officials and local citizens. We realize our research result in the form of signboards, as well as a homepage hosted by the school website. Apart from being a resource for countryside education, the homepage also allows citizens to deepen their understanding of the local history through the Internet. The website we make is believed to make more people know about Four-tile Dance. Many students in our school prepared to participate in the next Cyber Fair.

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

By searching the origin of Four-tile Dance, we get to know its history and cultural value. We are proud to have this intangible cultural heritage in our hometown. And thus, we have the responsibility to protect it and pass on to the next generation. We hope our website can let more people learn the folk culture. Besides finishing the website, we have learned much knowledge beyond the text book. What’s more, by working together on the project, we have a fresh knowledge about ourselves. We not only see the merits of others, but also realize the strength of ourselves.

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

1,Mr. Li Hong-sheng:He is the head of Datong Cultural Bureau, who directs us to play Four-tile dance, and search relevant information. 2,Mr. Chen Rong:He is the head of Datong Relics Bureau, who tells us the origin of Four-tile dance and published many essays about this intangible cultural heritage. 3,Mr. Wang Wei-zhang:He is the official in Qinghai Cultural Bureau, who is in charge of intangible cultural heritage. From his blog, we get to know more about folk culture. 4,Mr. Wen Guo-xin:He is the first interviewee in our research. He introduces the head of cultural bureau and tells us the road. Without his help, we can’t finish our first interview. Though he doesn’t offer us any material, we are still acknowledge him. 5,Mr. Li Hai-chun:He is the member of Shehuo Team in Huangjiazhai Town. He is also the first one to teach us to play Four-tile Dance. His passion to folk culture really impresses us a lot. We have tasted his good nature. 6,Mr. Mi Cheng-wen:He is the head of Huangxi Village. His warm acceptance really impresses us. He tells us the origin of Four-tile Dance and borrows us the costume. 7,Mr. Liang Wei-de and Mr. Che Guo-hu:They introduc some information of Four-tile Dance 8,Town and Talent Co. Ltd, which makes us get to know the competition, give us a lot of valuable advice and helps us to register in the competition.