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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.