 Pupils were able to quiz archivists through the video link |
Pupils have been able to step back into the past without leaving the classroom thanks to a hi-tech video link. Video-conferencing was used in a pilot scheme to link up schools with council archivists to enable youngsters to study original historical documents.
Three primary schools and one secondary school have already made use of the broadband technology in Oxfordshire.
The children were able to see documents in the county record office while quizzing the archivists themselves.
The seven to 15-year-olds taking part in the county council project were from North Kidlington primary school, West Kidlington primary school, St John's School in Wallingford and Chipping Norton secondary school. Talei Rounds, one of the archivists who has been delivering the sessions, said: "The most enjoyable part of the project was hearing the responses of the children to my prompts.
"It showed they were listening and had learned things."
The council's cultural entitlement officer, Sarah Lewis, said: "Although it does not replace direct contact with documents, it can complement it.
"Video-conferencing may provide one solution to some of the problems schools face, such as lack of time, transport difficulties, travel and costs."
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Although it does not replace direct contact with documents, it can complement it 
