2015-09-22 Introduction to Cyberfair Team formation

Today is the first time all members of Cyberfair team met up and I was both looking forward to it and nervous. I looked forward to the start of Cyberfair but was nervous about who would team up with me. After we all arrived, the teachers asked us to give self-introduction before asking introduction by team members. It was when I found out that there were 3 advisors and 10 students for our team, consisting of 5^th and 6^th graders. The 6^th grade senior students mostly have participated in last year’s Cyberfair with rich experience to lead the 5^th graders. Then the teacher told us that our theme is “Pingding Ancient Channel” because there is a Chi-Sing Irrigation Association near our school and their main job is to maintain the channel ecology. In particular, the best channel preserved and maintained is the “Pingding Ancient Channel.” I was highly looking forward to it after listening to the teacher introducing ancient channel, because I have only seen the name of ancient channel o  social science textbook without having taken a walk or seen it for myself. I observed the expression on other people and we all looked quite exciting. Finally the teach described the precautions of Cyberfair and gathering time, and we were all expected to comply and cooperate. We all agreed and that was how the Cyberfair for Taipei Municipal Jiantan Elementary School officially begun.

2015-09-24 Acquaint with Google Sites

When we arrived to the computer room today, the teacher introduced us the Google Sites for Cyberfair and the sites are meant to help us upload/download all related information files regardless of our location. The teachers can also assign matters through Google sites. Meanwhile the teacher also taught us how to use cloud hardware by saving incomplete data on cloud hardware for download/upload at any time. This way, we could even continue working on the Cyberfair project with much convenience. My first file for upload was the review for team formation.

2015-10-27 Produce leave catching net

We all gathered at the meeting room today to conduct “leaf catching” DIY activity. First Teacher Wen-Ning showed us how to circle thick wire into a circle, then we imitated the teacher to bend the thick wire distributed into a circle. We then put on the onion bag provided by the teacher. Finally we use thin wire to secure the bag on the thick wire to complete the net. We were really worried that we did not have proper stick for use. Fortunately the teachers were inspired and used the common broom from school as stick, making the stick the supporting power for the net. Finally we bundle the net on the broom and the entire leave catching net was completed. Although catching leave only required few simple steps, it took us the one noon break time for production. This work not only requires assistance form the teachers in folding some wire requiring strength but we also must be very careful when bundling so to avoid injury. Now to think about it, it was no easy task. WE think the production of such leaf catching net can reuse the unneeded items and is really eco-friendly. Finally the teacher distributed the interview questionnaire records for the survey tomorrow and the activity form for second ancient channel survey. The teacher specifically reminded us to wear pants that could be rolled up and sneakers with better anti-slip performance. Now the leaf cat catching net and interview questions are prepared, and we really look forward to the success of tomorrow’s survey.

2015-11-06  Sorting Pingding Ancient Channel information

Today the teacher assigned three tasks per person. The first task is to extend the summary from surveying Dengfong channel cleanup from last Wednesday. We not only went to acquaint with the animals and plants of Dengfong channel but also did cleanup activity. This activity was new to everyone and also meaningful. So we needed to record the activity review and opinions in written form. The second task was to finish the review on participating in Biking for Miracles of Irrigation while the content must be complete. Finally the last task was to enter the ancient channel books and information collected into text files for convenient duplication to the website. I was assigned with transcribing the geological position of Pingding Ancient channel. The data show that the height of Pingding ancient channel is 400~600 meters, which is 3 ~6 degree lower than temperature in the city. It is no wonder that I felt so cold during these few times in the mountain. Apart from these three tasks, I was also thinking about the naming of project research mentioned by the teacher yesterday. Right now I am thinking about the “Ancient Channel Trace Adventure.” I would like to know everyone’s opinion about it.

2015-11-26 Transcribing audio file of interview content into text

Today the teacher asked us to transcribe the interview content into text. First the teacher instructed us the techniques of interview paper: how to listen to the audio file and how to convert into a smooth article. For example, the secret to listening is: Listen repeatedly, catch keywords, and utilize pause buttons and pulling back the tract. The key to conversion into text: Record key sentence only for first record, even if the sentence is incomplete and do not type the interview word by word. Use first pronoun (I) and respondent as second pronoun (you) for typing into interview text file. Use keywords and adding your own words to change into one smooth interview text file. Although the works seemed easy but it was acutlaly difficulty. Because the speed of respondent’s talk varies with mixture of Chinese/mandarin Chinese and other language not very clear, it has taken more time when listening to it.

2015-12-10 Discussing the production of card of gratitude

In your project research, we have currently visited Pingding Ancient Channel three times and one Biking for Miracles of Irrigation, under the strong assistance by two people, Leader Zhou and Big Brother Lin from Chi-Sing Irrigation Association. Leader Zhou helped us arrange the visits and activities while Big Brother Lin participated in our activity the whole time. When the teacher proposed to make gratitude card for them, we all agreed. Some people mentioned that making our own card will be more sincere and some said to buy a card with everyone writing thanks to them. Finally because of time limit, we decided to buy ready card but write our thanks to them. Some people said there was too much space and we need to add drawing or stickers, so the teacher chose one photo taken with them and printed out on the card. We all discussed with enthusiasm and it looks like leader Zhou and Big Brother Lin will receive a very special gratitude card.

2015-12-18 Background removal for head shot

The teacher taught us to use PhotoImpact software because we needed to take the head of us from the front, side and while we were making a face. We also needed to remove the back and turn it into PNG file. This is the first time I am using this software and it was quite interesting for me. When I saw the teacher operating, he used the crop function by connecting the head one by one, carefully by clicking the left button of the mouse, and only the head was left after completion. We all were surprised and were not used to seeing only the photo with the head. When it was out turn to do it, we found that dragging around the peripheral was difficult and we needed help from the teacher. Sometimes we would accidentally cut the face or did not crop well enough, and then we would have to do it again. It took me 7~8 times to complete the 3 head shots. But I was getting more skilled and I finished the last one in one crop. The teacher told us there are still many functions of the software and wished us to all learn more.

2015-12-25 Google form questionnaire design

At noon time today the teachers taught us to use “Google Form” in order to make questionnaire for students. The previous questionnaires were provided in paper form and would become piles of paper, which eventually were tossed away and so it will be a shame. Making  questionnaire with Google Form is more eco-friendly and will not waste paper or distribute it one by one and collect one by one, which not only consumes labor but also time. It is surprising that Google Form is very easy to make with simple and comprehensible operations while the layout design is also quite diverse. It can also be co-authored with others. The teacher asked us to practice making forms and select the best form as questionnaire survey. As for the teacher questionnaire, for the purpose of politeness, was still made in paper form and we would distribute and collect the teacher questionnaire.

2016-01-07 Questionnaire analysis and discussion

Last week we divided work to make the circular diagram for each questions of the questionnaire. Today we opened the email and received request from the teacher for co-authoring. After we clicked it open, we discovered that it was the questionnaire analysis form produced from Google document. The teacher said that we needed to edit together to analyze the meaning represented by each diagram before discussing for the conclusion of the questionnaire. The conclusion requires suggestions and viewers. At the beginning I questioned about the co-authoring function but when we practiced, we discovered that the teacher was right because when I was working on the documents, I also saw other’s work at the same time, seeing many blinking cursor on the screen all together, and I really admired GOOGLE. As the last conclusion after our discussion, we all believed that the teachers knew about ancient channel but did not know enough while most students only knew little about it. So we think that we should conduct on-campus promotion so everyone can acquaint with Pingding Ancient channel more.

2016-01-15 FLASH animation production

The winter vacation has begun but for Cyberfair team, it was time to rush the work because we needed to complete the project website before Chinese New Year, so the assembly for training is inevitable. When we arrived to the computer room in the afternoon, the teacher immediately explained the things and progress we must do during the winter assembly and he required us to follow up with the progress without any delay. We became nervous when we heard what he said. The content today was all related to FLASH, apart from last big shot photo, we needed to complete the figure animation on the homepage and the images to be used on the web pages. When I missed the image and lines, I became familiar with the tool with the teacher’s guidance on the side.

Then we made animation and the teacher used the film section of component to make changes in the three facial expressions, followed by drawing the bodies and making different actions through keyframes. I thought the output of my animation and thought it was special and funning. I didn’t know it could be completed easily. FLASH is really powerful. Finally we made images for web pages and based on prior experience, we have drawn quite some images. Some people asked why we could not directly use Google to search for photos, the teacher said that we made our own web page and naturally the images we used had to be drawn by us. Moreover some photos involve with intelligent property issues and we’d better not use the photos directly. I agreed and if the website shows all photos found from the internet, it would have not made any sense. I have completed most of the progress together and only left with the production of website images, so I went home to continue drawing in order not to delay others.

2016-01-22 Project promotion briefing production

We were all very busy today and except for some people have completed the progress yesterday and we still had much new progress to catch up. However, I think completing the previous progress took us quite some time because it was FLASH production and there are many images on project website that require flash to complete. For example, the animation on homepage, personal Big-shot photo and illustration. We have not used this software and felt unfamiliar with it naturally. However we have improved today, after all the teacher has instructed us and we also studied it seriously. Nonetheless, the work for today requires more efforts because we were making the briefing for oral report in next semester. There were some interesting things that happened such as when we were taking a drawing on the topic. Because the topic was divided into 10 categories and coincided with the number of students. So we used drawing and some people shouted with joy when they drew the themes that they drew the topic that they liked but on contrary, those drawn with more difficult topic would sign, and it was quite a scene.

Next we entered the main topic. This briefing was an activity derived from the questionnaire conclusion and hence we needed to prepare the report well or else we could not let all students and faculty truly understand Pingding ancient channel. We were serious in sorting the data and finding suitable photos or images in order to present the most complete and realest Pingding ancient channel. We did not want to confuse people but to help them get insight. Thereby implementing our ultimate goal in holding this activity. After the assembly today, those who did not finish should take the briefing data home to complete them carefully. Finally we had another drawing and the topic this time was about “hand-drawn webpage classification image diagram,” where everyone drew the illustration of classified topic in person and the teachers expected us to think about what to draw over the weekend and we would draw them on Monday. The topic was divided into 8 teams and I was in team with Hua Zhen. I was really happy because division of work between two people was better than one person working hard. The saying goes “three heads are better than one.” I also agreed with Hua Zhen to think about the drawing before discussion during the assembly on Monday. 

2016-01-25 Audio recording and hand-drawn illustration

Today was a rare day because it was the only day of assembly training in winter vacation when all members showed up. Although winter vacation already started, we all had things to do and people were taking leaves so the teacher was worried that we all had different stage of progress. When we were still working on our briefing, the teacher gathered everyone for audio recording. The teacher planned for us to add the voice of us speaking the name of the project in Chinese and English on the animation of the homepage.  The recording in Chinese was alright and although we were not accustomed to it while speaking in different speed, we soon finished the recording in Chinese. The English recording was more miserable because in spite of the pre-illustration of correct pronunciation by the foreign teacher, the name of the project in English was too long and we could not pronounce it correctly. So we recorded again and gain but could never record well. Our voice became coarse even. Finally the teacher said the recording was acceptable and I really look forward to listening to our voice on the website.

Then we began the key work today, hand-drawn image. Last Friday the teacher already divided the team and I was in the same team as Yun-Zhen. We drew the channel ecology techniques. I thought about it and discussed with Yun-Zhen to decide drawing the most impressive “open tunnel.” The building of “open tunnel” was aimed to prevent the falling rocks from the hills to the channel and affecting the flow of channel. I think the person came up with this method was too brilliant because it would not affect the ecology while protecting the channel. We drew the composition on drawing paper with a pencil and the teacher suggested us to draw 3D images, so we drew from some reference photos. After drawing and erasing, we finished the rough composition and we were both satisfied with it. Then we each took the color pencil to color. It turned out we were the first to complete the hand drawing but when we looked at the images drawn by fifth graders, we were impressed with the outstanding drawing as all figures were distinctively and sophisticatedly drawn with layered colors to the landscape. Our drawing was also good and I believe it will look great on the website.

2016-01-27 Review on Cyberfair

Today was the last day to Cyberfair winter training and we all sped up and completed our work according to the schedule. First we went to Lexue Hall to practice project report and this time our teacher asked us not to read from the notes. Meanwhile laser pen was added for key point aid. Everyone was reading from the briefing and so we were corrected by the teachers a few times on the posture with emphasis on memorizing the text. We were advised not to use our back to face the audience, the time to use laser pen and application. I did not know that reporting requires so many issues of attention. We were not only responsible for the briefing but also the quiz contest, so everyone simulated the different situations that could happen. For example, assigning someone when nobody raised hands to answer and applauded when nobody applauded. The host had more work to do as they need to react to situations happening while working on the atmosphere at the scene. To successfully complete the report after the school starts, we could only practice again and again. After practice we went back to the computer room and the teacher explained the most important progress today, and that was to finish the Cyberfair overall review.

Everyone had their own perception on the different Cyberfair activities in the last half year. This review was different from others as the overall review should not be composed in the essay form because the teacher thought it will be just summary of things. So the teacher taught us to use two words as the topic of writing four different paragraphs of perception. This was a special writing approach which I have never heard of. I used happy, question, learning and growth, as four different words that express my perception for participating in Cyberfair. However since I am not good at expression specific or complete text, our teacher asked me to correct for a few times, which also made me think back the details of this Cyberfair, so I felt good about it. 

When everyone was still working on the review, the teacher suddenly gave us drinks and snacks as rewards for our efforts during winter training. We discussed the various memories from the Cyberfair and we could not stop. Thinking back these past few days, we have cooperated on certain number of things and we have grown more bonded while gaining more knowledge on the project research of Cyberfair. I think this winter training was really good experience.

2016-02-17 Practice for project report

Today we gathered together in the afternoon of Wednesday to practice giving the project report. After school, we all carried our backpack and gathered at the Student Affairs Office. We were all very nervous and holding our paper tight when we thought about presenting report on stage to all students in the school. We repeated our part and the teacher saw our anxiety, reminded us to practice the content by two, listening to the smoothness of content for the other person. We went to the Lexue Hall in basement and started official practice. Although we could all read the report form the paper, we were still nervous and stuttering on stage, or we could accidentally read from the text of PPT, turning the content of report really dull and the entire presentation time would be extended. Under the assistance by the teacher, we each adjusted our presentation content to shorten the content with more simplistic and organized manner. After all we only had short independent study time in the morning for presentation, plus we would be responsible for completing the presentation, hot, quiz contest, and other things tomorrow independently, so we need to work on the flow more.

When we finally practiced our content of presentation, we discovered on major issue and that was when we give the presentation, we would easily want to point out the key points by laser pen while tilting our whole body. It was almost turning our back against the audience. So when we practiced again, we remembered to turn our head back while speaking and look in the direction of the audience.

The teacher constantly encouraged us during the rehearsal, asking us to smile and be confident. So even though some students were really nervous and could not speak smoothly, we all continue to practice our part seriously in order to present the best side of us.

After several times of practice in the afternoon, I profoundly think that giving a report is not easy and we need to learn to control our time, point out key issues of the report while paying attention to the movements on stage and below. The quiz contest tomorrow also made us nervous because there were many incidents that we could not have predicted now.

We all hope everyone can finish their presentation with success and expected all teachers and students to like the splendid content on the promotion of Pingding ancient channel which we prepared with best effort.

2016-02-19 Completion of project website

There was only one thing to do at the computer room and that was to look at the website for the research outcome over the past half year. I was really touched when I saw the animation on the homepage because we finally finished our website. The teacher asked us to check 2~3 pages each and find out sentences that were not smooth or typos from the pate. I started looking at the website line by line. Each word of the page was the effort from all of us and the incorporation with photos explained more. Meanwhile, we made the buttons and icons with FLASH, we believe that everyone seeing our website will acquaint with Pingding Ancient channel more. Finally the teacher let us take photo with the website and we were all happy about it because we have completed a work together. It is so nice to participate in the Cyberfair.