New Wireless Trail

Open for the first time to the public, the free wireless trail using ColorCode enables visitors holding mobile devices with cameras and internet connection (such as smartphones) to learn about the flora and fauna at SBWR. After downloading the ColorCam software onto their devices, visitors can explore the reserve and take pictures of 25 coded images when they spot them throughout the trail. Information about animals and plants found at SBWR will be sent to their devices, and visitors will be able to learn about mangrove biodiversity through videos, images, music, games and quizzes. By October this year, the number of codes at SBWR will be increased to 40. With the changing environment, NParks will also update the web-based content along the trail and change the content twice a year during the migratory season and non-migratory season.

Suitable for visitors aged nine and above, the new wireless learning trail at SBWR is supported by Colorzip SEA Pte Ltd. Jean Claude Donato, General Manager SEA at ColorZip, commented: "To ensure ubiquity of ColorCode in Singapore, it is important to ensure a rich and great experience to all generations and especially the next generation. This new trail makes each journey in SBWR a more colourful experience and I can see fantastic opportunities to deliver cool, engaging and rich content to visitors, youth and pupils who will learn faster and with more fun!".

Fifteen visitors participated in a trail last November, and it was well-received. One of the participants, Brian Ong, 40, a nature educator, said: "More people are using smartphones, and this wireless trail is very timely. It is like providing visitors with electronic brochures, and this is more interesting because it incorporates videos. We are also saving more trees as the use of paper is reduced."

Instructions to download software to scan the codes:

1. Go to your phone menu and select browser.
2. Select options and choose "Go to address".
3. Type www.czip.sg
4. You may have a choice to dowload the software by wireless @sg or 3G/GPRS
5. Find the download link for your phone model to download ColorCam.
6. Follow the instructions to install the software.
7. Find ColorCam in your phones installation or games folder.
8. You are ready to scan codes now!
9. Scan the code below to test.
10. Code Name: sb
    
    
    

To note:

1. 3G data charges by your phone network provider applies.
2. The software download is free.
3. Wireless@sg is only available for codes located at the Visitor Centre and Mangrove Boardwalk.
   

In the press:

Article

Wireless Learning Trail @ Sungei Buloh

The wireless learning trail at Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve is the first of its kind in the parks of Singapore, and possibly in the region. It is a public-private partnership initiative involving NParks, IDA, MOE and iCELL Network Pte Ltd.

It was inspired by the desire to enhance the learning experience and create new ways to deliver educational programmes that would:

• Appeal to the young and technology-savvy Singaporeans,
• Bring learning beyond conventional classrooms and,
• Be less dependent on traditional manpower-intensive methods of nature education.
  
  

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'. It also means that students are less dependent on the availability of human guides for their learning experience.

Booking Enquiries

Schools that are interested in the Wireless Learning Trail can contact iCELL Network Pte Ltd at Tel: 6309 4520 for general enquiries and bookings.

Rental of Equipment

A nominal fee of $3 is charged for the rental of each portable device, 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. iCELL may impose a charge of S$250 for the loss or deliberate mishandling of its equipment.

(iCELL plans to further enrich the learning trail through periodic enhancements of the trail's content. It may review its fees when new content has been developed.)

Number of Students

As time is required to complete the activities at each station, students are advised to spread themselves out on the trail instead of concentrating at 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

Pre-trip Activities

The pre-trip checklist contains instructions on activities that teachers can ask students to carry out before their field trip. It includes information on the reserve such as mangrove vegetation and its adaptation to harsh conditions. 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.

Post-Trip Activities

After completing the trail, students can share what they have experienced or learnt with their peers in school. Through these activities, a more holistic approach is adopted towards developing an appreciation of the natural environment among students.

Wireless Field Investigations

Schools who want to embark on a more comprehensive scope of discovery of the wetland reserve can apply for a research permit from NParks. A fieldwork workhop to familiarise teachers with the field techniques and equipment is also available at the Training Administration System on the Intranet (TRAISI). Schools can contact the Ministry of Education's Humanities and Aesthetics Branch (Geography Unit) at tel 6879 6768 for more information.

Information for Teachers:

For students who require more guidance, it will be advisable for teachers to go through the pre-trip activities with their students and break down the tasks among the groups. The tasks, which include planning for the budget and working out the programme schedules for the field trip, help to build valuable real-life skills, which will be useful even when students are working on other projects.

To keep students make the most out of their learning experience, teachers may want to go through how to use the recording templates before embarking on the trail.

Teachers can also consider stretching the number of learning activities over a few site visits to Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve, so that students can focus on one specific skill during each visit.

Instructions on how to access the information via the 2-D barcodes on the trail

1. Please ensure that the webcam is plugged securely onto the UMPC.
2. Activate the barcode scanner programme on the UMPC. This will trigger a viewer of the webcam.
3. Along the trail, look for 2-D barcodes which are placed in strategic locations. To access the information embedded in the barcodes, adjust the distance of the webcam to allow the barcode to fit into the viewer onscreen.
4. The programme in the UMPC will automatically detect the 2-D barcode. An URL will appear along with a pop-up and you will hear an audio cue.
5. Select the URL listed in the pop-up and the information will be displayed in your UMPC.
6. Repeat steps 3 - 5 when you see another 2-D barcode along the learning trail.
7. In very sunny weather, the detection of the barcodes could be hampered by reflection. It would be useful to shield the 2-D barcodes while using the viewer to scan the codes.

Please take good care of all equipment on loan, including the UMPCs and webcams. Parts of the equipment may be detachable or become loosened with use.

For assistance, please call the iCELL Customer Helpdesk at Tel: 6309-4525.