Videoconference two: WWII
Session Development
World War II had a significant impact on Luton, the Museum has a large collection of documentary and photographic evidence and it is a key area of study for schools. The Museums Schools Service has been aiming to encourage secondary schools to use our resources to bring a local dimension to the study for some years so using it as the second theme for a videoconference made perfect sense.
We aimed to build on the successes of the straw plait session and therefore used the role-play scenario and discussion elements again. However, this time we used photographic sources both to set the scene and as the stimulus for the discussion.
 Play
Flash movie
|
Eleanor introduces the WWII topic and how it had the advantage of being a period with which the children had more of a connection. |
The conference
Part 1 Photos activity
Play
Flash movie |
Eleanor introducing the activity to a group of Year 9 pupils from Icknield High School, the students discussing the photographs and a Q and A session. |
Part 2 ARP Warden
Play
Flash movie
|
In this clip we see the students being briefed about how to question the ARP warden, stay in character and not ‘arouse suspicion’, then we see part of the session with the re-enactor in role as the ARP warden. |
Play
Flash movie |
A plenary with Eleanor and the students about the session with the ARP warden. |
Conclusions
From the students’ responses it is clear that they find working in this way exciting, they appreciate the interactivity and the opportunity to use their imagination and work as a group.
Play
Flash movie
|
Some of the students talk about how they got involved in the session and how the role play stimulated discussion. They particularly appreciated the interactive nature of the activity and how they were able to find out information from a character in role. They felt it was like talking to someone who was actually there. |
Play
Flash movie
|
Eleanor Payne, a Learning officer at Museums Luton, observed the conference from the school end, having previously only seen the session from the museum. She was impressed to see how engaged the students were in the activity. |
Play
Flash movie
|
Parveen Aktar, Teacher, Icknield High School, shares her thoughts on the WWII conference and what she considered its strengths. |
Play
Flash movie |
Ian Post, a professional re-enactor, explains how he adapted his approach to work via videoconference and his view that videoconferencing represents an exciting opportunity. |
|
