The Sewing Workshops in Alleys

Project Elements

 

1. How did your activities and research for this Cyberfair Project support standards, required coursework and curriculum standards?  
Our theme for this Cyberfair project is "The Sewing Workshops in Alleys". There are three reasons why we chose this topic. Firstly, there happen to be 2 students whose family members are in the clothing industry. Secondly, the teacher's mom used to do sewing work in the north when she was young. Thirdly, through research we discovered later that there were more sewing workshops than imagined. Some sewing workshops are actually located near where we live. It’s just that we had never noticed them. This result was greatly different from what we had thought in the beginning, so we feel motivated to know more about it.
During the research process, we had 3 tutors, including computer teacher Guan-you Guo, social service leader Teacher Ching-chien Chan, and the homeroom teacher Li-hsun Lai. Everyone’s expertise and the division of labor were different. The teachers and students constantly interacted and thought over in this Cyberfair. It was a process in which both teachers and students can grow and progress. The students involved in this process, could learn to cooperate with the team, while the teachers could have continuous reflection in the Cyberfair project process. Unity is power. The diverse interaction between students and teachers ignited various sparks. Students learned about active construction of knowledge, rather than passive learning. These life experiences can not be learned in textbooks. It is the spirit emphasized in Grade 1-9 Curriculum -- "taken-away knowledge"!

 

Domain	Descriptions
Language	During this Cyberfair project, all the processes, from discussions at the start of the project, data reading and organizing, elaborating on stage, to writing comments at the end, improved our language capability in listening, speaking, reading and writing. To name a few: look for the data and reading materials of clothing industry and sewing workshops, discuss interview contents and write interview scripts, write comments on activities and gatherings, write radio drama and scripts, make propaganda posters, write advocating and introduction words, interview people, make self-criticism during the whole project, realize difficulties and find solutions.
Mathematics	We collected data in ways of worksheets and used to conception of google map to present the map and streets of Luzhou. We then mapped out sewing workshops on the map and conducted logical analysis and discussions at the end.
Comprehensive activities	During the whole process we worked together and every member had to learn self-supervision and fully express his or hers ideas. We completed tasks at each stages through division of labor as well as cooperation. This improved our understanding of teamwork.
Social studies subject	Through the research on sewing workshops, the students knew more about Taiwan’s economic development and its clothing culture. This then spread to every teacher and student in the school. We did this not only to awaken the students attention to their living surroundings but also arouse their affections to the local. We also wanted them to learn how to think and solve problem during exploration.
Arts and humanities subject	This Cyberfair project contained sewing and patchwork art as well as poster making. Through the project, the students not only learned the skills of sewing, but also developed their innovation capabilities.
Nature and life technology	We held the attitude of scientific exploration during the research. When faced with difficulties, we were able to think in multiple ways and put forward effective solutions. The students developed their capabilities in conclusion, integration, decision-making, response and creativity. We also made use of various IT tools to help with our interviews, photography and videos. We also made good use of computer software to edit pictures (Photocap) and make web pages (Dreamweaver). During this process, the students learned how to use the latest technologies and software to produce desired results and. They also learned how to explore and think independently.
Health and Physical Education	In the planning and actual procedures of interviews, we would remind the kids to pay attention to their own words and behaviors, especially the politeness in reception activities. These would benefit their well-rounded development of personalities. Positive ways of thinking can also cultivate healthy mentality and philosophy. We also practiced the kid’s physical strength so they would be able to stand up to the physical exertion during activities and interviews.
School-based curriculum	Grade 1-9 Curriculum puts 20% of flexible classes in the hands of schools. Lu Chiang Elementary School has been participating in Cyberfair for over 10 years. Each project completed was shown on the school website for the teachers and students to use. It has almost become one of the highlights of school-based curriculum management. This kind of Cyberfair project is a very suitable activity for students and teachers to participate in together. In this project, we can demonstrate our local cultures in diverse ways and arouse students’ interest in learning through lively activities. We led the students into the communities to observe. We also led residents in the communities into schools to join in the activities and help the students to learn and grow up. When we saw the enthusiasm and energy of participating students, we knew this kind of curriculum was very worth advocating and promoting.

 

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

 

Applicable Tool	Function
Recorder pen	Record the interviews and then write the script accordingly
Canon digital camera	Shoot pictures of the activities
JVC video recorder	Video the interviews and activities
NAS USB, USB Drive	Store data
Printer, poster machine	Printer materials and pictures
Internet & EMAIL	Search for information, communicate, hand in the interview records
Computer software	Dreamweaver-making web pages, Office2013-edit articles, Photocap 6.0-make posters, Google map-draw maps,  Powerpoint-make brief report
Wordpress Blog	The school set up Wordpress Blog for data collection and article writing

 

3. In what ways did you act as "ambassadors" and spokespersons for your Cyberfair project both on-line and in person.
In order to get more people to know about the stories of sewing workshops, we tried to promote our ideas among individuals, classes and the whole school.

1. Individuals: (1) We went into communities to explore sewing workshops and interviewed current workers and retirees. In this way, we collected the information needed for the research project. (2) We advocated our theme as well as the stories and histories of sewing workshops through posters made by ourselves, TV walls and web links to school homepage.
2. Classes: We made poster and brought them into the classrooms. We reported to the students and interacted with them in closely. We asked them to participate in the activities and go into the communities to find about the sewing workshops around us through worksheets. So they could observe their working conditions and environments. We also guided the students to experience how to sew through patchwork practice. They came to understand the process and the hardship of sewing, thus forming the virtue of cherishing.
3. Whole school: We chose a more diversified way to make our radio drama. With the help of Teacher Sheng-jie Chang from the office of students’ affairs, we performed the lively drama on campus during the noon break. We even had an exhibit at the end of the semester. We systematically introduced the stories of development of sewing workshops with the aid of posters and pictures. We also presented sewing machines, uniform decomposition and patchworks. We had close interaction with the students and helped them better experience. They deepened their understanding about the sewing workshops that we rarely know in their daily life.

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

1. (1) Impact on us:

1. The largest impact on us was about daily schedule. We used to make classes as our priorities. However, since we took part in Cyberfair project, we had to come to the computer room to have intensive training almost everyday. In order to help us know about sewing workshops, the teacher not only gave us tutorials but also found a lot of data for us to read. He guided us to learn. We also found data on the internet and by asking people around us. Every other weekend, the members had to gather together to discuss and prepare for the activities. We were able to visit remote areas only on Wednesday afternoon. We had to walk or take a bus there. What we had learned during this period of time was really diversified. We came to know and did a lot of things that we were unfamiliar with before, like interviews, puppets, sewing workshops. We also took advantage of the winter vacation to make web pages in the computer room and edit articles everyday. The teacher would assign us some homework everyday for us to think about after a day’s of learning. We already had a lot pressure from homework in original classes. We had to go to tutorials and learn talents and skills. Therefore, every one of us had to make a balance between normal classes and Cyberfair project. This is a challenge to us. What’s more, during this Cyberfair project we formed the attitude of thinking and learning. The teacher led us to think about every matter in multiple aspects. There might be more than just one right answer, so we would make careful analysis. This is what we have gained from this experience. The good attitude of learning will be a great help in our future academic life.

2. The second was the cognition of our living surroundings. Before the research on sewing workshops, there were only 2 students who had some understanding of sewing workshops. But others were totally unaware of sewing workshops. It also made us realize that we paid little attention to the changes of our surroundings, not to mention being concerned. Because of the school Cyberfair project, we had the opportunity to discover that the clothes in daily lives were from the quietly-working uncles and aunts in sewing workshops in alleys. After actual experience, we found that sewing required a lot of patience and hard work. So we came to realize that we have to cherish the clothes and to slow down our steps to care about the surroundings around us.

 

1. (2) Impact on the local:
   We want to draw more people’s attention to sewing workshops through this Cyberfair project - The Sewing Workshops in Alleys. We want to let more even, and even the whole world to know about this industry. At the same time, we want to express our appreciation to those silent workers. We try to more people care about the vanishing sewing workshops through our web pages and advocating activities. Cultures are hard to preserve, but easy to disappear. We wish to awaken more people to notice and care about our living surroundings through this Cyberfair project.
   
   

   5. Intellectual Property Rights
   1. Writing contents:
   All the writing contents are written and edited by our team members through first-hand interviews. All the interviewees were informed of our activities. It was only with their approval that these contents were quoted on the web pages. All the origins of relevant materials cited on the web were listed, in order to protect the wrights of original writers.
   2. Pictures:
   Most of the pictures on the website were shot or painted by teachers or students. Those cited ones were authorized and approved by the interviewees.

 

6. How did your project involve other members of your community as helpers and volunteers?
◎ Director Jui-ying Hsu: Director Jui-ying has already been retired. However, in order to help with our Cyberfair project, she made time to give us classes. She taught us how to sew lucky zongzi and rabbit puppets. She often encouraged us. She was so nice. We appreciated a lot for her help.
◎ Mrs. Bao-luan Chang: The one who helped this Cyberfair project most was Mrs. Bao-luan Chang. Besides answering our questions tirelessly, he also showed us around his own workshop and demonstrated the process of making clothes. In this way, we understood more about sewing workshops. We thank him a lot.

◎ Mr. Tien-chu Huang: Mr. Tien-chu Huang was also one of those who helped with this Cyberfair project most. We thank him for introducing to us the development backgrounds and histories of sewing workshops. He also taught us some principles how we should do things and be a man. We thank him a lot.

◎ Art teacher: Thank Teachers Mei-hui Chiang, Ching-yuan Chiu and Shu-yuan Chou for providing us with the tools and sites. They also helped us to tailor models and released our burden. Many thanks.
◎ Class instructor: Thank Teachers Mei-hui Lin, Li-ming Chen, Chia-jung Li, Feng-yu Cheng, Ying-chen Chuang, Hsin-yu Li, Hsueh-ching Chen and Pao-chou Chen for cooperation. They provided the Cyberfair project with students to participate. So we were able to finish this Cyberfair project smoothly.
◎ Mrs. Xiu-lan Hu: Thank Mrs. Xiu-lan Hu for sacrificing winter vacation to help with puppet sewing activities.

◎ Parents: The support of these parents enabled the students to continuously participate in this Cyberfair project. So we were able to complete this project. It was of great importance to win the support of parents. Without their recognition, many kid would not be able to participate in many of the activities. As a result, the progress of the Cyberfair project would be very slow. So parents’ support was an important element that contributed to the completion of this Cyberfair project. We thank these parents for their support and cooperation.
◎ Elderly: During the interviewee, the grandmas were very generous and warmhearted to help us collect information. They answered our questions and provided us with valuable information. Therefore, we came to know the social situations then as well as their life experiences. We are really grateful for that.

 

7. Discoveries, Lessons and Surprises
(1) Discoveries:
With the development of Cyberfair project, we came to understand the working conditions and dilemmas in these sewing workshops. Only then we realized that were so ignorant and forgetful about our living surroundings. In the trend of economic globalization, it can be said that economic development is dominating the development of industries across nations and making many special local industries to disappear slowly. If no systematic record were made, we would regret that our children and children’s children would know little about these cultures. Through this firsthand research I found that sewing workshops were the common experience of many grandmas and their common memory as well. It was so difficult and at the same time so important to make a record. Therefore, I became more admiring of those who make records and pass on the cultures.

(2) Lessons:
1. Lack of preparation:
We didn’t realize our shortcomings until we carried out researches, especially when we were conducting interviews. First, when the workers talked about the past generation, we were not able to understand very well. The difference in the two eras made us very difficult to sympathize with them. To make it worse, we hadn’t read enough materials beforehand and therefore lacked the general knowledge about the social backgrounds then. We would perceive what we saw subjectively. It was only after the sewing workers’ explanation, that we realized our misunderstanding. What’s more, we had not made enough preparation about how to conduct an interview. As a result, when we came back from the interviews and started to write about it, we felt that our contents were quite lacking. Some were not asked in the interview. We had to go there for a second time. So it is really important to collect all relevant materials and read them carefully, in order to have a clear picture about the subject. Otherwise, the direction of the research might be wrong and you have to start again. We also changed our attitudes toward learning. The spirit of learning should be self-motivated. We need to find questions and not be contended with superficial understanding. We have to try hard to make comprehension of what is unclear.

2. Difference in perspectives:
During the interview, Mr. Huang not only clearly elaborated on the development of sewing workshops, but also mentioned the importance of attitudes. Mr. Huang thought people at that time were different form the people today. The youngsters then were more willing to bear hardships, while young people today prefer to have easy jobs. Mr. Huang encouraged us by saying that what matters is not what we do but whether we can endure hardships. He told us that as long as you work hard, you will more opportunities than others, no matter at work or in studies. We learned a valuable lesson, which was an unexpected gain.

(3) Surprises:
We were moved. Not only great deeds, but also the small stories in the lanes can also be moving. Sewing workshops are unique not only because it created the Taiwan miracle, but also because it carried stories. Among our interviewees, Mrs. Chang was a person with stories. She started to work when she was 10 something and lost one arm in a work accident. But she was very positive and did not complain. She did not leave the workshop because of losing her arm. In stead, she opened up a workshop of her own and made her way in the clothing industry. She was able to spin around the cloth very swiftly without any difficult. Just as Mr. Huang said, you will create more opportunities for yourself if you can make great efforts and endure hardships. Through our ground visits and interviews, we also found this spirit of sewing workshops. Therefore, we have to hold on to this kind of spirit in whatever we do and work steadfastly towards our goals.