Conference 2003 - Bath - Report & Feedback
Conference 2003 Report
The ATM Easter Conference for 2003, Making More of Maths, focused on an opportunity for everyone to make more of their own mathematics, both as learner and teacher. The conference drew from a wide range of people from different backgrounds, teachers, advisors and educators from Initial teacher training, tertiary and Governmental departments.
The opening session was a joint affair, with husband and wife team Derek and Barbara Ball reminding us that ‘Maths is more than you bargained for’. They looked back and forward at the mathematics on which they had worked, the people with which they had shared their methods and focused us on what mathematics has given to us? Their contrasting experiences gave us plenty to think about and it mattered not if you had known them for many years or just a few minutes. They received warm and moving applause for their emotional, honest and deeply thoughtful words.
Our closing speaker, was Simon Singh, author of The Code Book, who described a little of the history of cryptography from Ancient Rome to the Internet. His associate talked about the work they are doing in schools with codes in mathematics classrooms, an enjoyable and popular way of developing logical thinking. Simon went on to talk about his book and the popular competition that ran along side it. He showed us encryption tools, animations, history and both a real and a virtual Enigma machine. Delegates also received Simon Singh’s comprehensive interactive CD-ROM version of the Codebook for free!
Conference 2003 Feedback
There was quite a lot of feedback from the delegates about the conference and here are a few of the points raised.
The Special Event organiser and other Session leaders were commended for the wonderful workshops/discussion groups lead by them. Session styles included fairly formal lectures through to very hands-on, activity-based workshops, in which delegates did and discussed mathematics and mathematics education in a wide range of contexts. Each delegate could select from around eighteen sessions which were running at any one time, so that everyone could make sure that their experience at the conference reflected their own interests and concerns.
Accommodation was well received, however, there were complaints about the number of flights of stairs, Pods too small, no bedside lamps and inaccessible plug sockets. Can I remind delegates this is a student accommodation block, no university leaves out bedside lamps anymore, they cannot afford to replace them when they walk! Food and service was given a full thumbs up as friendly, helpful staff, good vegetarian choices and excellent biscuits! However, no Muesli!
Events were extremely well received, even though there was not the traditional Celidh (although 2 comments were made in favor of bringing it back at once). The band The Conmitments were excellent, good balance of music expertly performed, and many comments were made regarding the number of people up on the dance floor. I believe a number of general council were unexpectedly seen dancing, although we do not have photographic evidence of this (unless you know differently?).
During the band’s interval Alan Bloomfield (and his glamorous assistants) had every delegate up on the floor taking part in the People Maths. This was an extremely popular and amusing activity which we hope will happen again at conference.
The Quiz was said to be the BEST ever, although I think this was said by the team that won the overall prize though. But our thanks go to Phil Dodd who is becoming the all time quizmaster extraordinaire!
The Music Event, where delegates turn up and share and perform their musical talents, be it playing an instrument or singing, was very well attended. The numbers seem to rise each year, for this very popular event.
The ATM Book Stall had several comments made about it, all read 'friendly, helpful staff as ever!' What more can one add?
Lastly, but probably the most important and most visited element of an ATM conference is the Workshop, run by Margaret Jones and her team. It was held at the centre of the conference where people met to have coffee and a chat. Many comments were made regarding the location suitability and the help and friends people made whilst engaging in the workshop. The negative comment made against the workshop was that it ended!
To summarize, the conference was a great success. Our thanks go to the team behind the scenes who spend many hours preparing and setting up the event, and the many people who get involved with events allowing the rest of us to enjoy and share their ideas with us. If you think you would like to run a session or an event, the conference team would love to know. Many other positive comments were made, too many to mention, however, the most frequent concern was the weather! The team has discussed this fully and will endeavor to do their best to make sure ‘The Weather’ comes to our next conference at Loughborough at no extra charge!
Judy Sayers - Conference Team Leader
Conference 2008
Past Conferences
- Conference 2008
- Conference 2007
- Conference 2006
- Conference 2005
- Conference 2004
- Conference 2003
- Conference 2002
- Conference 2001
- Day Conferences
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