School: Hualien County Jian Ching Elementary School
    Hualien, Taiwan, Taiwan

10 students, ages 10-12 worked together to complete this CyberFair project on February 27, 2009. They have participated in CyberFair in the following year(s): 2007

Classes and Teachers: Director Shou-liang Hsu, Teacher De-lin Ai, Teacher Shu-jun Hua

E-Mail contact:

Our School's Web Site: http://www.cchps.hlc.edu.tw

1. Description of Our Community

Wanrong Township is located in the central Hualien and the eastern root of Central Mountains.Truku tribe in Wanrong Township holds the Ancestral Worship Ceremony every year, preserving its unique and rich cultures and interprets the meaning and value of the tribe’s life cultures. The traditional ceremonies, crafts, and cultural activities are the wisdom passed down by the ancestors. The Ancestral Worship Ceremony is also the best way of understanding their cultures and marketing the local industries.

2. Summary of Our Project

Worship ceremony is a way people show their appreciation to the ancestors. Each tribe has its own worship ceremonies. The Truku tribe holds the Thanksgiving Ceremony in awe and with appreciation to the ancestors for their blessings. There are no impressive scenes in traditional ceremonies, only dignified atmosphere. As members of Truku tribe, we would like to introduce the Thanksgiving Ceremony to every one because we believe it is our responsibility to explore the profoundness of this important tribal ceremony.

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:4-6

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

The high-speed fiber-optic broadband internet access in our school greatly shortens the time of uploading and downloading data. The students, teachers and volunteers spent most of their day-time on visits, experience activities and uploading records; therefore, the creation of web pages mostly took place on Saturdays. The school teachers were responsible for the final amendments. With at least 256K/64K fiber optic broadband access at home or other locations.

4. Problems We Had To Overcome

Language(problem):During the process of the interviews and the experience activities, the interviewees were only a few chiefs of the tribe so the relevant information was limited and translation was also needed. Language(overcome):We tried to record the interviews through digital camcorders and Dictaphones and asked the parents or the senior citizens in the community questions when we were organizing the data after the interviews. Whenever the seniors described relevant items’ names, items’ parts or operation, we would ask them to use body language or repeat expression to leave a stronger impression.

5. Our Project Sound Bite

This was my second time participating in this project. Last time I got to know ramie, which people used to make clothes while this time I learned about ceremonies. Both opportunities allowed me to learn about the cultures and relevant knowledge of Truku tribe such as oracles, ceremonies and cloth weaving. I was happy that I could have the opportunity of collecting information from other villages and gaining knowledge. I am looking forward to more learning opportunities.

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

The purpose of education is to develop students’ potential and cultivate their ability of adaptation and improving their living environments. Participating in Cyberfair enables every team member to make improvements and realizes the goal of Grade 1-9 Curriculum. Since the research theme has been decided, the supervisors, people in the communities and volunteered students have taken the responsibility of exploring Truku tribe’s ceremonial culture. The progress is a combination of wisdom, experts’ documents, resources provided by the school and community as well as information technology to present a complete result.

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

(1)Web phone:A tool of contacting team members and communicating with interviewees prior to the interviews (2)TV:A tool for sharing the video of 2006 and 2007 Wanrong Township folklore artistry activities (3)Video and digital cameras:A tool for recording community visits and folklore activities (4)Scanners:A tool for completing students’ works and selecting references (5)Dictaphones:An important tool for recording the oral narration and processing written records (6)Software:FrontPage 2003, PhotoImpact 8, EasyPHP+Xoops, server, ACDsee image management, Banrtong Midi Creation Software, CDex music converter (7)Book:periodicals and research papers Reference books relevant to Truku tribe ceremonial cultures and research papers provided by interviewees. (8)Interviews:Interviewing elder people to completely record their oral narrations.

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

First of all, the students have absorbed so much knowledge and learned so many skills during such a short period of time. In the beginning, when asked about what they were doing, they would say they were using the computers. However, their answer has changed because they have been to too many places, interviewed too many people, written too many thoughts and made use of so many latest resources and equipments at school. Now, they would say they are honored to have participated in this meaningful activity.

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

The faculty and students of Jian Ching Elementary School would like to take the responsibility of receiving and passing on the cultures. Through field investigatiojns and interviews, we continue and succeed the cultures of the tribe with the school and resources provided by the community to offer more people the opportunity of understanding the cultures of Truku tribe.

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

We would like to thank Mr. You-hsiang Hsu from Hualien County Shioulin Township Tonglan Village, Mr. Chung-yi Chen Lin from Wanrong Township Hongyeh Village for accepting our interviews. Their professional knowledge relevant to the Thanksgiving ceremony has greatly helped us throughout the process and allowed to learn about the rich culture of Truku tribe.

5) Discoveries, Lessons and Surprises (Optional)

Many people have a strong passion for their ideals and work hard to achieve them. From elders and experts with great knowledge of traditional ceremonies such as Hongyeh Village Head, Mr. Chung-yi Chen Lin, Wanrong Village Head, Mr. A-yuan Cheng, Tongmen Village Head, Mr. You-hsiang Hsu to music collectors Ms. Ching-hsiang Hu and Mr. Kaji Cihung, we have discovered a common feature: they persist in their interests. They showed an awe in ancestors, strong confidence, courage and professional attitude when we rediscovered their wisdom. Their strong power of knowledge has led us towards to great hall of cultures and society step by step. The lesson we have learned was that we needed to make a better use of time and improve our communication ability with the tribe.