M.A.Y.A.N.S Simplified Semi-Finals Crossword puzzles ALL done!

After spending some time in the previous week researching on our respective topics of the Mayans Civilisation, we had finally managed to consolidate and summarise all research information. Now, we are focusing more on our product outcomes which are our flash website, colouring booklet, crossword puzzles and an introductory video.

In order to cultivate our target audience who are the upper primary students' interest in our project, we had decided to create some fun games and quizzes such as crossword puzzles for the students to try on. I had used the EclipseCrossword software to create the 4 crossword puzzles according each of our topics. Firstly, in order to make the process easier, we all have to search for some keywords for the crossword puzzles while researching. After spending much time to look for keywords, I had to try to think of the clues for each of the keywords before inserting them using the software.

After that, I spent some time to choose the design and layout of the crossword puzzles in a way such that it appeals to our target audience. In addition, the software which I had used also helped me to create a web page from the crossword puzzles. Hence, I had created 4 crossword puzzles in an interactive web page with JavaScript format. Also, the crossword puzzles are created according to these four main topics of the Mayans Civilisation which all branched down into specific sub-topics:

• Lifestyle:
• Writing System
• Agriculture

• Culture:
• Arts
• Gods
• Religion

• Contributions of the Mayans:
• Inventions
• Astronomy
• Mathematics

• Development:
• Timeline
• Rise & Fall

So, here are the links to our crossword puzzles:

• Crossword puzzle (1): http://www2.hci.edu.sg/y09hci0452/crosswordpuzzle(1).html
• Crossword puzzle (2): http://www2.hci.edu.sg/y09hci0452/crosswordpuzzle(2).html
• Crossword puzzle (3): http://www2.hci.edu.sg/y09hci0452/crosswordpuzzle(3).html
• Crossword puzzle (4): http://www2.hci.edu.sg/y09hci0452/crosswordpuzzle(4).html

Besides our crossword puzzles, we had also done our colouring booklet and the flash website. As for the introductory video, we will be creating it using Windows Movie Maker and also include this video in the home page of our flash website for our target audience to view it. We will update the blog for the progress and updates.

Finalised Work plan and Group Dynamics

Work Distribution:

Li Wen (Researcher): The Mayans’ contributions to our world:

         I.      Inventions

       II.      Astronomy

     III.      Mathematics

 - how it affected our history and/or the modern world?

-          Importance

Their contributions will show the impact they had on the world and why they are so important. This will show their scientific knowledge and genius.

Joe (Researcher): – How did they live? What was life like for them? Did they have any religious beliefs (Culture)? ……

         I.      Arts

       II.      Gods

     III.      Culture

-          Importance

Their cultural side will show a different view of them other than their genius is the sciences. This will really show the social side of them.

Samson (Web-designer): Develop ideas for the website to make it more interesting. Find out other interesting facts(Life style) about the Mayans Civilization:

             I.     Writing system E.g Maya script   
  II.      Literacy
III.      Agriculture

Kevin (Group leader): The development of the Mayan Civilization and how they improved and changed (Rise and Fall of the Mayans):

              I.    Geographic extent of the Mayans civilization, known as the Maya area E.g Why did they live?  
   II.    History
 III.     PopulationIV.     Architecture of the Mayans (Features of their buildings)

Examples - Time lines, mind maps, flowcharts.

-     Importance

Their development is very important as it would show how they coped with different problems and change to adapt to it.

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Group Dynamics (Updated)

• ALL
  - Research the respective topics of the Mayans according to the work distribution above
  - Plan for interviews with the primary students (target audience)
• Joe & Li Wen- Research the respective topics of the Mayans according to the work distribution above
  - Complete the colouring booklet (Fig. 1)
  - Consolidate information for the respective topics and send it to Samson for the flash website (make sure its sorted out)
  - Complete the crossword puzzle for the primary students
  - Update our project blog on the progress
• Samson- Research the respective topics of the Mayans according to the work distribution above
  - Send some keywords from the respective topics to Joe for the crossword puzzle
  - Consolidate all the information into four different sections for the flash website (Fig. 2)
  - Complete the design of the flash website
  - Create the introductory video with Kevin for the judges (to be added in the 1st page of the flash website)
  - Update our project blog on the progress
• Kevin
  - Research the respective topics of the Mayans according to the work distribution above
  - Update the project blog on the progress
  - Discuss with Samson on the introductory video for the judges
  - Start to think of the layout of the boardgame using ‘The Game of Life’ format

So, our learning package will include:

•  Flash website (Fig. 2)
• Learning colouring booklet with interesting facts and quizzes (Fig. 1)
• Crossword puzzles
• An introductory video
• Inference skills questions (to be added in the booklet)
• *Boardgame

We will posting our finalised research data for the semi-finals soon.

Commencing project

The June holidays have just started, and the exams have ended.Therefore, it is about time we start to begin doing our project work.

After the prelims, we have made certain changes in our plans. Firstly we have decided to use dream weaver to construct our product web site. This is mainly because our website would be loaded with information. Therefore we realized that by using flash, it would be more difficult for us to construct the website, as it will waste more time. Secondly, we have also tried to contact a primary school, to see if we could show case our project. The aim of this mini exhibition, is to raise awareness about the Mayan culture.Lastly, we have also change our distribution of work.

We have already begin to execute certain parts of our project, but we would still need to work at a faster pace, if we want to complete 100 % of the project by the June holidays.