1) What information tools & technologies did you used to complete your CyberFair project?
? We have used 5 desktops(3 core 2 duo and 2 Pentium i3 processors), 1 laptop(Pentium i3 processor), all students used smart phones for communicating, processing and transferring required information for designing the website. The computers used were from the school computer lab and office. ? 1 television and 1 DVD player belongs to Gyanavardhini are used to play audio and video songs. ? 2 digital still cameras and smart phones belong to school, teachers and students are used to capture and record the images and video. ? Cam scanner is used to scan certain documents. ? MS Office, Photoshop, Mobile apps for collage making, Whatsapp for communication ? School library used to refer JK Paper mill quarterly magazine to collect past publications about Gyanavardhini. ? Dharitri, Orissa Post etc local newspaper for publishing and collecting news articles ? Chart papers, drawing sheets, pen drives, DVD, and other painting stationery etc. ? Paintings, Posters and drawings of the students of Gyanvardhini and cyber fair participants to preserve and unite the values, love, compassion, kindness about the students of Gyanvardhini. ? Oral interview is taken with the Gyanvardhini Principal Mr Bankabihari, SPARSH manager Mr Asutosh, physiotherapist Dr Damodar.
? Our school allowed us to use the computers located in computer lab. ? Vehicles are provided by JK Paper mill and school to commute to the Gyanavardhini which is located about 10 kms far from our school. ? Computers, digital cameras, cell phones are the most valuable tools used by us. ? Microsoft word for documenting and editing and Photoshop for photo editing are the technologies which are most helpful because of their user friendly nature.
2) In what ways did you act as "ambassadors" and spokespersons for your CyberFair project both on-line and in person.
Our students acted as ambassadors and spokesperson to safeguard the dignity of the mentally and physically challenged children and unite them with the society by the following ways 1. Creating a website showcasing the lives of the specially able children to preserve and unite their special abilities 2. Students held discussions on how to take the noble initiative further by spreading its message in the whole world. 3. The students conducted an art exhibition, made posters on specially able children and placed them on our school display board for the parents and students to see, each one spreading the idea. The teaching and non teaching staff of our school also got awareness regarding Gyanavardhini and specially able children. 4. Students had been to Gyanavardhini and met the specially able children and spoke to the head and staff. Our students discussed and suggested them to introduce some more gross motor and fine motor activities which are conducted in our school and will be beneficial for the specially able children. 5. In the two visits that our students had to Gyanavardhini motivated and inspired our students to get involved with the specially able children and work further in the future for their welfare. 6. Students spoke to their parents, friends and relatives about our experience with the specially able students and insisted them to spread this awareness in their society. 7. Students have published news articles in the premier new papers of Odisha like Dharitri, Anupam Bharat, Orissa post etc. which will definitely spread awareness among the people throughout the state. The news reporters of this locality were overwhelmed to publish the articles in their news papers. 8. Parents of our students and teachers of our school contributed money and arranged a mid day meal for the specially able children. Our students also had lunch with them on 19 Feb 2018.
3) What has been the impact of your project on your community?
Our project will surely transform the way people think of specially able children. People often isolate such communities from the main stream of the society. So working in this project has helped us to unite the people from all corners of society to take initiative for the rehabilitation of these children. Our web pages will be a platform to attract people to explore the true potential of these special populations. It will be a great source of learning and realization from the emotional and ethical ground. This work will certainly move those persons who want to do or contribute something for them. Our website will be publicly hosted which will be an open platform for people from any corner of the world to view and share their opinions on the work being done by Gyanavardhini. The making of this project has enabled us to establish new relations of humanity, love and compassion with the specially able children. To an instance on our departure the children were not letting us go and we could leave only after promising them to come back again. This illustrates that those differently able children are no less than the mainstream population. Our website has positively helped those children by generating awareness among people and in turn encouraging them to treat them equally. We hope in the near future many people will join hands with us to take this mission to another level.
4) How did your project involve other members of your community as helpers and volunteers?
1. We got a great help and advice from our teachers. Without them, it would have been very difficult for us to complete this project successfully. 2. We would also like to thank our school principal and management committee for giving us this golden opportunity to participate in this international competition. 3. The teaching and non teaching staff of Gyanvardhini proved to be great coordinators as they helped us in our interaction with the children. Also, they helped us beyond the school hours. 4. We are also very thankful to Gyanvardhani institution for allowing us to work on this project. 5. Parents too provided assistance in permitting their children to be a part of this and gave valuable suggestions regarding this project whenever required. 6. We also thank SPARSH coordinator Mr. Ashutosh Das for his kind assistance in this venture. 7. Our school and JK Paper limited was kind enough to provide transportation facility to commute to Gyanvardhini. 8. The visiting physiotherapist of Gyanvardhini Dr. Damodar patiently described the physical problems faced by the students and the equipment used to relieve them. Dr. Damodar also paid heed to our queries, answering each question with assurance regarding the care of the students. 9. We are also grateful to our friends for encouraging us along the path. 10. Mr K R Muni and Mr G Gowri the gardeners of our school stayed beyond their timing and extended their help to us.
5) Discoveries, Lessons and Surprises (Optional)
The research trip to Gyanvardhini was full of exciting twists and turns. Our expectation was not at all what we received. We thought we would see some differently abled children, talk to the headmasters and teachers to get the relevant information but when we got there, we were amazed to see that the children were very talkative and helped us to get a clear image of Gyanvardhini. We were also surprised to see the discipline of the children throughout our stay there, but the part that left us spellbound was the dance and skit performances by the students. We did think that communicating with them would be a hurdle but they were very comfortable with us, behaved with us as if we are their friends. After this visit to Gyanvardhini, we learnt that the children are very capable and we should never judge them on the basis of their disability. Participating in this international event required us to do a lot of research work regarding the institute, the staff and the students. Research which involved a visit to the institution, interacting with the students, having lunch with them, knowing more about their lifestyle during the school hours, which proved very beneficial to us. This taught us the value of research, and how much fun it can be when it is done for a good cause.
|