Kids tasked with maths mastery
‘‘The projects were really exciting – and to use Taskmaster as a learning tool – that’s just the best thing.’’ Taskmaster host Alex Horne, above A year 9 version of the hit show Taskmaster has been created, with the blessing and participation of its pres
Ayear 9 class at a lower North Island secondary school can’t wait for their next maths lesson, thanks to their teacher’s love of a British TV series.
Upper Hutt College’s assistant head of mathematics Fiona Hall has come up with a new way of teaching the curriculum, inspired by UK panel show Taskmaster.
A hit on TVNZ’s Duke since the middle of last year, the programme features five comedians attempting challenges which vary from mini-golf with eggs to filming something that looks impressive in reverse. Part of its appeal is watching each of them tackle the assignment in their own unique way.
Hall says she first came up with the idea of adapting Taskmaster for the classroom while watching an episode where the competing quintet had to impress a local mayor.
‘‘I was wondering what to do with my 9F class for the week coming up and suddenly thought, ‘I could set them some tasks’.’’
Starting small – just one group task a week ‘‘for fun and semi-related to what we were doing in class’’ – Hall then had the idea of reaching out to
Taskmaster hosts Alex Horne and Greg Davies (a former teacher) to ‘‘let them know what I was up to’’. The response she got surprised and delighted her.
‘‘Alex wrote back saying, ‘that’s amazing, let me know if I can help’.’’
Deciding to take full advantage, Hall asked Horne if he would judge her class’ efforts, something that he was more than happy to do. ‘‘They were really exciting – and to use
Taskmaster as a learning tool – that’s just the best thing,’’ says Horne, who was the one who let slip to
Stuff about Taskmaster Upper Hutt during a recent conversation.
After watching the uploaded videos from his home in the UK, he then recorded his own comments.
‘‘It was just awesome,’’ Hall says.
Sensing the chance to share the excitment with the wider school community, Hall organised to turn part of the College’s annual celebration of learning evening last year into a Taskmaster presentation, which she also recorded for posterity.
‘‘Normally, the maths presentation is a pretty boring affair. ‘Here’s a poster I made, here’s a mathematician I studied, blah, blah, blah’. So I thought, ‘why don’t we tie this all together and turn it into a show’.’’
Featuring five groups, rather than individuals, it featured a mix of live and recorded challenges, just like the real Taskmaster.
These included the best edible item, blow something big off a table, potato golf and writing a short song about maths set to the tune of a Disney classic.
Hall admits that while those might have been ‘‘loosely’’ maths-related, they still met key competencies for year 9 students. ‘‘Things like working together and using symbols and text, as well as problem-solving – making a plan and carrying it out.’’
Emboldened by last year’s reception, Hall has introduced Taskmaster to her 2018 year 9 class
from the beginning of the year, put the onus on them to do their own filming and tweaked the problems so they are more maths-focused.
‘‘For example, they had to make a 30-second sand timer using just salt, two cups, a funnel and scissors and paper.’’
She says what she loves about the concept is ‘‘the ideas that come from nowhere’’.
‘‘I will plan a task and think about what the kids will probably do. Then, I’ll watch the footage back and go, ‘oh my gosh, what are they doing? How did they come up with that?’ And sometimes it’s genius.’’
Hall is unsure whether she has inspired any of her teaching colleagues to undertake something similar, but does admit she ‘‘couldn’t shut up about it in November’’.
‘‘Particularly after I got a surprise video back from ‘my idol’ Greg, going ‘hello’.’’