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Our first video conference took place on Monday 15th November. It was a bit disappointing because the connection broke down a number of times and every so often a high pitched sound nearly deafened us!
However, we all got to speak briefly with our penpals in Gilnahirk. As we had not got our profiles in time we were depending on the screen to give us a picture but as the image was not very clear, it was difficult to see properly. Things were better the next day when we received the profiles and were able to look properly at our new pals.
You'd know Mandy was used to doing video conferencing and that Alice wasn't as we weren't properly organised for the event. It is impossible for the whole class to concentrate on one small screen for such a long time. She'll get it right the next time! We'd really like to get a data projector so that we could project the image onto a big screen. We'd also like to get a clearer picture.
All in all it was a good experience and we can learn from our mistakes and the next session is bound to be a massive improvement! We can't wait! Since Monday, we've started web-crossing so the whole communication process has begun. Great!
Here are a few photos we took on the day!
By Alice (5th Class Teacher, NDNSP)
Video - Conference Monday 24th January
We in the NDNSP presented our Project on our school building during the video conference. We were divided into small groups and each person had a piece to tell about the school. The children from Gilnahirk asked us lots of questions and they seemed to be particularly interested in the fact that there used to be pigs kept in the old building as the children were taught a bit about farming. As many children attended the school after the Famine it was important to teach about growing crops other than potatoes so we wouldn't be relying on them so much. They were also fascinated by the photos of the new school - it's easy to see the difference between the two!
Then we sang a song from our Hallelujah repetoire called Phil the Fluter's
Ball and they seemed to enjoy it.
We tried an experiment and taught
the children in Gilnahirk a simple song Alice had been taught by a man from
the North! It was ok - but we'd need a few more attempts to get it just
right!
Everyone enjoyed the conference and it was good to be able to present the
end - product of our project.
Video Conference - Monday 31st January
The video conference today was about the history of Gilnahirk Primary School.
It was thirty minutes long and was very interesting. Although there were
some technical hitches - there was some interference with the sound and
it was sometimes difficult to hear - we really enjoyed it. The children
looked in their school archives and found roll books and sick letters. Some
of them even recognised their grandparents names. The children made up their
own letters, imaging their parents writing them in the 40's and one girl
- Amanda - read out hers. It was about bombing and the child's mother sent
the boy away because he was so afraid. A poem was read out by our pen-pals.
We asked them some questions about their school and they told us about their
canteen where they have lunch. They can have hamburgers and Slush Puppies
for lunch - the lucky things! We asked them to write a letter to Sally asking
if we could have sweets!
Those who are in the choir sang The Rhythm of Life for us. It was really
good but unfortunately the mike moved a few times and so the sound was a
bit uneven, which was a pity.
We all had a great time because it was fascinating to listen to and we think it was a wonderful presentation. Well done, Gilnahirk!
