Multi-point video conferencing

Brian Convey, Headteacher at Millburn School in Cumbria shares his experiences of using multipoint video conferencing for a Maths Motivate session with the University of Cambridge.

 “Crosby Ravensworth, Asby and Milburn Schools recently took part in a videoconference day with the University of Cambridge. Dr Jenny Gage presented the children with a story, information and mathematical challenges on the theme of Labyrinths and Mazes

 A detailed plan and guidance were provided and the timings proved to be accurate. The activities were appropriate with the challenges being based on similarities and differences between labyrinths, mazes and networks.

 The day was due to run from 10am until 3.00pm but the children had become so involved with a series of number mazes that the session ran on until the call was timed out. 

In fact such was the enthusiasm that emails had to be sent to Cambridge requesting more number mazes. Other follow up activities were available at www.motivate.maths.org

 There was cost of £300 for the day as this was a closed session for the 3 schools. Other sessions are available but our small schools could have been involved in a session with much larger schools which may have been a little daunting for the children. Being a multipoint conference kept the contribution down to £100 per school.

 The coordination of an activity like this does require a considerable amount of time and effort by staff . The schools have got to have the desire to make the project work. The support of the staff at CLEO makes it work. Why not see if it could work for you?

 It takes a lot of effort and organisation but in terms of learning experiences for children and staff it is worth it.”

 A few quotes from pupils

Adam 

In a labyrinth you never have to make any decisions for which way to go. So really in the story of Theseus he didn’t need a ball of string so maybe he was in a maze.

Kate

The videoconference was from Cambridge University. Working with people like that is really good so I would really like to do more videoconference.

 Francis

We learnt the difference between labyrinths and mazes. In a labyrinth it is impossible to go the wrong way because there are never any choices to make but in a maze there are lots of choices to make. There are different ways to find your way around the mazes but the best way is to use networks.

 Bridget

I liked the network way of solving mazes because it was very challenging.

 Rebecca

I enjoyed doing the videoconference because labyrinths are quite tricky but they also make you think. When you are doing it from a bird’s eye view it is easy but when you are actually in it it would be hard.

Robbie

Mathematicians are interested in labyrinths and mazes because  you can fit a long path into a small space. Labyrinths only have one path whilst mazes have lots of paths.