1.URL of Our Project Web Site:

 http://librarywork.taiwanschoolnet.org/gsh2008/gsh5267/index.html

  Backup Access: http://dgps.kh.edu.tw/~e_doublecity/index.html

2.URL of School Web Site : http://www.dgps.kh.edu.tw

3.Date Project was Finished: 14th, Mar, 2008

4.URL of Our Project Bibliography Page:

http://librarywork.taiwanschoolnet.org/gsh2008/gsh5267/page5_1.html

5.School：Dong-Guan Elementary

6.Location：Sanmin District, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan

7.Names of the teachers participated：

8.How many students worked on this project? 29

9.Ages of students who worked on this project：11~12 years old

10.Project Contact Email：yilun@dgps.kh.edu.tw

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1.Cyberfair Category 6：Historical Landmarks

2.Description of Our Community

The Zuoying Old Castle and Fongshan New Castle both belong to the Fongshan County, a member of 1-municipality and 3-county government bodies during the Qing Dynasty period. The reason why it was called Fongshan was because the pioneering residents during the Ming Dynasty crossed the Taiwan Strait and saw this place with zigzag hills like a phoenix heading up and soaring in the sky. It is exactly the original reason why we call it Fongshan (Phoenix Mountains). However, the historical events with both Zuoying Old Castle and Fongshan New Castle existing simultaneously are unique in Taiwan’s history. The tale of two cities means the story about both Zuoying Old Castle and Fongshan New Castle.

3. Summary of Our Project：

Our pioneering forefathers crossed the strait from mainland China to arrive at the place called Fongshan. With their endeavoring effort in trail blazing, it is just available for the rise of Kaohsiung City combined with cultures, technologies and prosperity.  In retrospect of history, the Fongshan County in Qing Dynasty used to experience with 2 bouts of change. The historical tiles of both Zuoying Old Castle and Fongshan New Castle were left in the history. They are much like the oriental version of “The Tale of Two Cities” authored by Dickens. Thus, our research project is titled as “Taiwan’s Own Tale of Two Cities – Zuoying Old Castle and Fongshan New Castle”.

 4.Our Computer and Internet Access ：

We use FTTB(Fiber To The Building), and its profluent speeds of 100/100 Mbit/s (down/up). There are 7 computers, which access the Internet and use every function by Serve in our classroom. We all have our own E-Mail account that is an important transmittal for interconnection during the research.

Teacher Cheng Wen Chieh, an expert in computer, is teaching us to make web pages.	Collecting information, making web pages and uploading the reports on the internet	Every PC in the classroom has been fully exerted with its function during this research period.

5. Problems We had to Overcome：

(1) Commute：The research group consists of 28 students that makes commute inconveniently. Our parents who are enthusiastic about helping people solve the problem for us.

(2) Time arrangement：Due to school timetable of members are different, even more so in cram school, a few members cannot join in the whole course. Therefore, we arrange the field trips on Wednesdays and Fridays after school, and discuss with working group regularly.

(3) Diverseness of attitude and ability between members：   The research project is one key point of main classes, and all student must join it that makes the problem of different attitude, such as a few members are under pressure of schoolwork so it is not easy for them to manage the schedule well. Another problem is difference in ability of writing report among members. Finally, we all improve our shortage, and increase abilities of learning and researching.

(4)The completeness of historical residence：   During the process of covering, a serious problem we find out is that whensome historical residences have been reported, it also attracts some thieves that assail the landlords. Therefore, we avoid taking details of historical residences, and report carefully as far as possible.

6. Our Project Sound Bite ：

  The more you know, the more you love. Before the research project, we have no feeling about gates of Zuoying New Castle and Fongshan New Castle, which become different after we finish the research project. The Two Cities have their own beauty created by forerunners, but the historical spots have been ruined by invisible or visible destroy for different reasons. Human should realize that community development and historical spots are supposed to exist with others. Protecting historical spots and developing civilization are all important matters for our country. Historical spots play an important role in enriching Taiwan.

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● How did your activities and research for this Cyberfair Project support standards, required coursework and curriculum standards?

Local study is an important lesson of learning. We had briefly visited and taken Kaohsiung historical spots – 4 city gates course. Because of the research project, we may find out the stories of the Two Cities which encourage us to love our city deeper and deeper.

In the process, we apply the methods that we learned in school to visit the Two Cities, which is helpful for our research project. Besides, we record the historical spots by digital camera, discuss and share sentiments with each other repeatedly and then integrate all information into our research. Team spirit has been cultivated by supporting and leaning from each other.

In the field of learning, we look for much related information which includes source books and architectural books to realize the topic we will focus on. During the process, we find answers from exports repeatedly.

 From the study project –“Taiwan’s Own Tale of Two Cities,”we not only agilely exert knowledge but also complete our web pages, which make more people realize and appreciate the history, source and background, moreover, and mind protection of historical spots. The skill of computer graphing helped us produce a interactive map, introducing the Wetland Ecological Corridor of Kaohsiung City thoroughly. The way we combined the technology, language, and local geography fitted in the concepts of curriculum integration and cross-subject learning.

● What skills have you learned from the Cyberfair?

（1） Before interview, make the question themes previously and do not question at random will to avoid any question unable to be found or impede interview efficiency.

（2）After interview, hurry up to note down the interview contents at the same day convenient for subsequent reference.

（3） Make good use of digital camera. The convenience of a digital camera has become the imperative item of modern life.  Through this learning experience, we can not only learn to use digital cameras for fantastic shoots but also know about the knowledge for uploading photos into PC.  Also, we can use Photoimpact for image editing.     

（4）The skill of information gathering. During the entire rescue process, effective information gathering is quite important.  Under 2 months of teachers' guide, we have learned the way how to gather information through Internet and volumes.  Also, after reference and compilation, we can create research reports on our own. 

（5）Creating Correct Concepts for Web-Page Authoring and Relevant Skills.  Although it is the first time for web-page authoring, under the professional instruction of our teachers, we can not only propose our research report through web pages but also create our own web pages.

To allow us with well-prepared interview tasks, teachers instruct us interview skills and we practice for numerous times.	How to use digital cameras correctly is also an important part of our rescue.	The best achievement for this research is that we can learn  web-page authoring and compiling.

● What teamwork concepts  have you experienced?.

Because our researchers come from various classes, it required to arrange the available time for video and discussing meetings.  Aside from normal course hours, the morning and noon rest periods, even together with class-off time is used for further discussion. Thus, it is quite important for every member to arrange time well.   

In addition, every site under our research is assigned to every one respectively.  It will allow every one with opportunities to understand the architectural features and history of every historical site.  To our delight, after our tasks are done,  there is still some time available to help finish the uncompleted tasks.  Furthermore, the interview is also divided into interview hosts and equipment staffs available for concentrating interview effort and in-depth contents.

● How do you know clearly about some specific concepts? 

For the past, we have no specific ideas about the Zuoying Old Castle and Fongshan New Castle.  We only know they are historical sites but never realize the origins of their names and their connections.  After this study, we come to realize the name origins of both the new and cities because the moving of the county hall in Qing Dynasty.   

During the study, we also insight why Kaohiusng is called Dagou and Macadou tribe is exactly the aboriginals on Kaohsiung city after we study the history of two cities.     

● How about the integration between you study project and the demands from your school or classes?

For the past, when we studied the folk courses, most textbook contents only introduced the historical sites in Kaohsiung city with the focus on the old city.  There were fewer explanations about the connection with the Fongshan New Castle.  In our study project about Taiwan's Own Tale of Two Cities, we explore the history about the mentioned two castles and pay on-site visit to every place.  Finally, we also make a comparison about the history between two cities.  The information is compiled with web page contents. We allow people with the opportunity to know much about the folk teaching materials about historical sites. Thereafter, whenever teachers talk about the old castle, our web pages can be available for reference with more detailed explanation.   

2.What information tools & technologies did you used to complete your Cyberfair project?

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

It is very important to gather realated information before conducting the research project. To gain more backup knowledge and data to support our research, we invited many professionals to give us lessons for specific subjects. Thanks to Teacher Cheng Wen Chian and Huang Shih Wen for always guiding us and providing much information for us. We really appreciate those local residents we met during the interviews. They were touched by our passion and willing to cooperate with us. With help of these nice people, we formed different point of views and independent thinking ability.

Besides, we make appointment; communicate with experts by telephone and even through e-mail. In a word, we learn many useful methods on researching through the experience attending the fair. It is beneficial to us.

4. What has been the impact of your project on your community?

During the research process, we know that an old community in Zuoying was removed due to road plans. It is quite a strike for maintenance of historical sites.  However, modern construction can never be stopped by such a reason.  This situation triggers us to re-think the new values between the said two aspects.  As such, there can be a balance point between modern development and the maintenance for historical sites.  The historical sites can be saved and the community progress is never impeded.  After we interview with Professor Zeng, Guang-zheng, the chairman of the Old Castle Culture Association, we come to know that we can treat it as a specific zone plan.  The mentioned specific zone is ranked beyond the development of urban plans.  It can be viewed as a type of culture asset. Also, by planning a folk relic showroom and  culture exhibition room, the zone can be well maintained.  As such, the historical relics can be saved from damage and the touring fever can be provoked.  It is typically a matter killing two birds with a stone.  What a pity! We find the said proposal is not accepted by the government. The old residence with the history more than a hundred years was still removed!     

During the project period, we visited numerous old residences.	There have been numerous old residences deserted due to no well-organized conservation.	The old residence is destined to face the removal due to the conflict with urban plans.

5. How did your project involve other members of your community as helpers and volunteers?

6.Explanation of Intellectual Property Rights on study project web pages

The photos used for our study project web pages are all taken by our instructing teachers and students.  There are only few photos scanned from the images on a handbook.  The scanned photos or reference data are all marked with the data resources to show our best respect to the original IP right authors.  As for editing contents, they are gathered from interview and compiled by our teachers and students in a written form.

7. Discoveries, Lessons and Surprises

（1）Discoveries: Through the research project titled “Taiwan's Own Tale of Two Cities,” we find that numerous places we visited before are exactly the historical sites witnessed by our forefathers.  Every building, every bailey and every cannon emplacement show the change of times. We also know that the establishment of a castle in ancient times was under thoughtful considerations to assure residents with safety.  In addition, the window design  of old residences are also featured with profound meaning to inspire people and the function for privacy protection.

（2）Lessons：From this research project, we find some jobs for the maintenance of historical sites are not well organized.  During the study process, there are some baileys painted with artificial liquid to lose their original charm.  Thus, the maintenance for historical sites is quite an important job.  It is not only concerned with government duties but also the civic virtue expressed by local residents.

（3）Surprises：These historical sites have experienced with the blight of wars and times. They are so robust showing no collapse signs.  They can allow modern people to experience and imagine the life in ancient times.  It can make people feel quite marvelous about the architectures in ancient times!

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