Blog

Two Firsts:

TeachMeet Pembrokeshire (17th August) was the very first TeachMeet in Wales, and the very first time MaxiMap has attended and sponsored a TeachMeet. For those not in the know, TeachMeets are amazing get-togethers organised by enthusiastic teachers for other enthusiastic teachers and are happening all around the UK. A clear indication of job dedication is shown by the fact that all TeachMeet events are orgainsed, and take place, in the teachers’ free time.

TeachMeet Pembrokeshire was expertly organised and hosted by Bev Evans, a teacher at the Pembroke Dock Community School where the event took place and teachers came from far and wide (Manchester and beyond!) There are a variety of 7 minute, 4 minute and 2 minute presentations by the attendees, selected at random by an electronic one-arm bandit. So as well as goodie bags, good nosh and a chance to socialise, the teachers get to share exciting and innovative ideas with one another. The events are steamed live – and TeachMeet Pembrokeshire got 125 unique visitors during the day, many of whom tweeted comments which were shown on-screen.
So a very big MaxiMap thanks to Bev and the staff at www.pembrokedockschool.org.uk.

We listened…

We’ve taken MaxiMap to many events over the last few months, talking to a very wide variety of teaching and other educational professionals.

On the whole we’ve been overwhelmed with positive responses and suggestions. One of the most often asked questions has been “can you do a World floor map with political boundaries?” Well…computer says “Yes” – or rather our wondrous cartographer Nick Rowlands says “yes” and has come up trumps again. It’s now ready to go and will run alongside the original (unpolitical) World floor map.

World floor map now available with political boundaries

…they learned

The pupils of the De Lucy Primary School, Abbey Wood, London were asked by head Carla Ferla to evaluate a series of lessons on the British Isles floor map…

Sanurak “It was really useful for maths and geography. It’s soft (and not to heavy) and also comfortable. The compass direction made it all better because it teaches you your direction. It’s also brain crazy fun, you have to guess where the countries and citys are. For kids it’s interactive and they’ll find it fun just like me”

Wesley “I really like this activity because we were being very interactive and this activity helps me improve with my maths and geography and I think every school should have this because this map makes learning interesting and fun.”

We’re taking them on as sales reps sometime soon!

Pupils at De Lucy Primary School, Abbey Wood, London

Maxi Congratulations to Daphne Gunn of St Paul’s CE Primary School, Winchmore Hill, London, our winning school. They’ll receive their prize – a British Isles floor map – next week.
The two judges – Alun Wyn Jones and Dr Colin Thomas of Swansea University – thought that Daphne’s entry showed:
(1) Good appreciation of the potential of the floor maps, and (2) Recognition of the value of activity on the maps
They also liked her final sentence “All in all the world would be at their feet”

The judges have chosen 2 runners up, and one other entry was specially commended.

Short presentation to an interesting mix of secondary school teachers at The Studio Conference Centre, with grateful thanks to Cathryn and all at Tide Global Learning www.tedec.org.
As we saw exclusively geographers at GAConf Derby, it was good to talk to and get feedback from history and RE teachers as well – one of the points we try to emphasise is the cross-curricular opportunities for MaxiMaps.
The teachers very quickly came up with lesson ideas – all duly noted on stickies which we brought away with us. Much food for thought – thanks to you all