Vol
14 No 2
A project by the ‘Nature Nurtures’ Group
Wireless Learning Trail @ Sungei Buloh Wetland
Reserve
Flickr comes to SBWR
Nurturing the Sungei Buloh Forest and Mangroves
Earth Day Celebration
World Environment Day Celebrations
World Migratory Bird Day Celebrations
Not
Merely an Entrance to a Nature Park
|
|
Wireless
Learning Trail
@ Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve
First of its kind in Singapore
and the region
|
By Linda Goh
Senior Outreach Officer
and Ng Sock Ling
Assistant Director
|
The wireless learning
trail at Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve was inspired by the desire to enhance
learning experience for students at the reserve. It is a new way of reaching
out and delivering educational programmes that will appeal to the young
and technology-savvy Singaporeans.
What
is it?
Using webcams installed on Ultra Mobile PCs (UMPC), students are able
to receive information by scanning the 2-D barcodes that are located
strategically along the wireless learning trail. They can listen to
birdcalls or observe behaviour of mudskippers. Students are also prompted
with stimulating questions on what they can see along the trail and
even participate in various educational activities provided on their
UMPC.
There are 20 barcodes or stations along the Mangrove Boardwalk. It
takes about 2 hours to finish the entire learning trail. After completion,
students can include their thoughts and observations to build their
own personal learning trail, and share the information with their
classmates. This promotes learning in the ‘outdoor classroom’.
How to book the Wireless Learning Trail @
Sungei Buloh?
The Wireless Learning Trail at Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve is currently
open to students only. Schools that are interested to book the trail
can contact iCELL Network Pte Ltd at Tel: 6309 4520 for general enquiries
and bookings.
What are the charges?
A nominal fee of $3 is charged per student, payable to iCELL, which
is managing the learning trail. This is to cover administrative charges
and maintenance of the wireless network. Schools are advised to take
good care of all equipment that is on loan to them. There are currently
40 Ultra Mobile PCs (UMPC) available for rental. Students can use
them individually or in small groups. |
Wireless
@ Sungei Buloh
What is Wireless @ Sungei Buloh?
From 25 August 2007, visitors can enjoy free wireless connectivity
at Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve when equipped with a Wi-Fi enabled
device, such as a laptop, a web browser and a registered Wireless@SGaccount
with iCELL Network Pte Ltd.
Where
can I go wireless?
Free wireless broadband is accessible from the Visitor Centre
and the Mangrove Boardwalk. By early next year, the service
will be extended to other parts of the reserve, namely, the
Main Hide, Aerie and Outdoor Classroom.
How do
I sign up ?
To access the free wireless broadband network, visitors can
log on to http://www.icenetwork.com/registration.php to sign
up for an account. They can also get their User ID and password
on the spot by sending the below SMS to 963i-CELL (9634-2355)
NRIC number Email address Name
Wi-Fi
in Other Parks
Besides Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve, visitors can also enjoy
free wireless broadband access at these parks and gardens in
Singapore:
• Singapore Botanic Gardens
• Woodlands Town Garden Park
• Ang Mo Kio Town Garden East Park
• Toa Payoh Town Park
• Pasir Ris Park
• West Coast Park
• East Coast Park (from October 07 onwards)
• Fort Canning Park (from October 07 onwards)
• Admiralty Park (from October 07 onwards) |
|
How
many students can go on the trail?
As time is required to complete the activities at each station, students
are advised to spread themselves out on the trail instead of concentrating
on one location. This will also ensure that the UMPCs are operating at its
most optimal level.
Getting
the most out of the Wireless Learning Trail @ Sungei Buloh
To enhance the learning experience for students, teachers can carry out
the following activities:
Before the field trip
A pre-trip checklist can be downloaded at the Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve
website at www.sbwr.org. It includes a list of activities and tasks that
students can do, and information on the reserve. Teachers can also inculcate
in students important values and attitudes through understanding the importance
of preserving our unique natural heritage.
On the Trail
Three different field activities have been integrated into the learning
trail, namely field-recording observation, annotation and sketching activities.
Students will be able to go through these activities at different locations
along the trail. Teachers can go through with students details on how to
use the recording templates before embarking on the trail.
After the Trail
Students can share what they have experienced or learnt with their peers.
Through these interactive activities, students can develop a better appreciation
of the natural environment. |
wetlands