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DESCRIPTION OF THE
PROJECT
The desire to preserve local traditional
culture while promoting the use of emerging technology has been inspired by
two distinct phenomena.
The first is the progressive disappearance
of traditional culture due to the advancing urbanization and the shortage
of existing cultural records in academic libraries.
The second is the growing predominance
of computer technology in all sectors, a trend which necessitates a modification
in educational methods. A strong education in computer use is essential if
children are to evolve and succeed in the world of high technology.
PROJECT OBJECTIVES
The general objectives of the project are
twofold:
1) To find the means of preserving the
essential elements of local traditional culture while introducing communities
to the new information and communication technologies which will be vital
for continued development.
2) To uncover an educational method which
will help to develop a spirit of creativity and ingenuity in students such
that they will not only read about their cultural heritage but also internalize
it and learn from it.
In light of these general objectives, the
project strives to reach certain specific, concrete goals:
1) The
creation of a series of texts which document particular aspects of the local
culture and are written in a style appropriate to specific elementary school
levels.
2) The creation
of an Internet site containing all of the texts in electronic form available
for students to consult and use on their own. This process would also ideally
involve the creation of a CD ROM if funds are available.
3) The active development,
through local teaching seminars and even instructional guides where necessary,
of a teaching strategy which will maximize the use of the project texts to
develop the intellectual capacity of the students.
CONCLUSIONS
This project deals with the preservation
of local through new information technologies, where a student can use the
computer screen like the pages of a book.
This experience represents part of the
growing partnership between developed and developing countries, as well as
the increasing globalization which affects all people. We have both the desire
and the means to enter wholeheartedly into the twenty-first century, while
still preserving our traditional cultures.