Fans Quiz TV Star In Videoconferencing Link-Up

Youngsters quizzed one of the stars of top children's TV show Byker Grove in a live videoconferencing link-up to launch a major new IT project.

Daymon Britton, who plays youth leader Dom Meredith in the popular BBC soap opera, opened his heart to fans at a group of schools in County Durham who asked him questions about his time at school, life on TV, his likes and dislikes and acting plans for the future.

The event was held to demonstrate the use of videoconferencing in a major new ICT project across County Durham. Eleven schools in Willington and Crook, along with Bishop Auckland College, have been chosen to take part in the £20 million ICT Test Bed Project co-ordinated by Becta on behalf of the DfES.

Classrooms within the schools have been equipped with the latest communications technology, and project leaders are excited about the months ahead and the new opportunities which will be opened up to pupils.

The ICT Test Bed Project is designed to demonstrate the impact that high levels of investment in ICT can have on raising standards of attainment across the curriculum; improving the effective management of schools; and enabling teachers to focus on core teaching tasks.

Daymon, who has also previously starred in Sky One's Dream Team, said: "The kids have been fantastic, they're all so enthusiastic. This is the first time I've seen videoconferencing and I'm amazed by the possibilities the new technology can bring to the classroom."

Each school has been equipped with a TANDBERG 880 videoconferencing system, an interactive whiteboard and a 42" plasma display screen. Major projects have already been planned including the sharing of modern language teaching between the schools.

After quizzing the star, pupils at all four sites did a brief presentation about different aspects of school life.