Roll over projection screen for
Geography with 2 wall maps: a
World map plus a the second map
on Africa, Asia, or e.g. Europe.
The computor projector
becomes
much more
productive if
used with
an
interactive
whiteboard.

True for years to come

The visual observation system is the information highway in to the brain. Any investment to utilise it in education will pay off fast when used properly.
The overhead projector:
simple to use and durable

Including its software (a TTE-Visual Encyclopedia) operational for many years at only 5% to 10% of the costs, compared to a interactive whiteboard system. No training needed
Hardware today
the overhead projector
Some prices: Overhead projectors of 250 watt cost approximately E 200 but these are less used these days for obvious reasons. A powerful OHP of 400 watts with much brighter colours and sharper definition is much more productive. Costs: about E 279 and E 319. New lamps cost E 6 and E 9 respectively.
projection screen: ‘roll over’
New is the mobil roll over projection screen (160x140 cm). This large, sturdy projection screen can include - ‘roll over’ - a world map or a choise of other charts available. This easy to transport system provides class rooms without a flat white wall with essential extra teaching tools to meet todays multi-stimuli teaching strategies. The maps are printed on durable Kimdura, which may be written on with washable ink.
With a light pull, all sheets will automatically roll up, like the one hanging just above. In one simple move the second or third map can be pulled down as the others will roll down on the back side - out of sight. Also for History and Medical Courses similar roll over systems are available - see the ‘packs’ in “Visual Aid” on this website.
Comparison OHP
with computer projector
and interactive whiteboard
A relatively strong digital projector of 1500 lumens is needed in a non-darkened room to demonstrate with the same effect as the normal 400 watt OH-projector. They cost on average E 1500 and a replacement lamp after 1000 to 3000 burning hours, costs E 400. The technology is changing fast.
Interactive whiteboards come in different seizes and types - only the large ones are advisible for a class room. They sell for about E 1000 to E 3000.


The digital projector is a new kid on the block, not yet installed in many classrooms. The digital projector appears to be ideal: large projections from videos or computer are made possible for PowerPoint presentations, films, animations and even for stationary images.
Costs including the supporting sound equipment, computer and video, do not seem to be the greatest obstacle. In its complexity this ‘information and communication technology’ - ICT can prove to be fragile and sometimes unreliable and technically confusing.


Training is needed. For regular daily use in lessons, a teacher’s repertoire of strategies will need to change. To make the combined equipment work smoothly requires high skills. All things considered, this technology is certainly worth pursuing. Ultimately, it will result in ‘brain friendly teaching’. When a teacher is able to do so smoothly and use it wisely in his or her daily lessons, it will add a lot more than just a high-tech gadget to teaching. Since the late 1990s, teachers in the UK have been trained more systematically in use the ICT compared to most of Europe. In the UK interactive whiteboards are now installed in class rooms in many schools.


Specially equipped studio classrooms in schools now often have a computer projector and also the interactve whiteboard - in most other European countries. Reserving a studio for a class is bound by the same restrictions which apply to the use of a mobile installation in your own classroom. It is only worth it when the presentation is well prepared. The teaching staff has to be specially trained. Didactically and practically speaking, computer projectors are therefore fundamentally different from overhead projectors.


To provide each lesson of the day with strong visual data, the overhead projector is the appropriate teaching tool to do this. In the new specialist classrooms for geography, history or sciences furnished with modern technology including the interactive whiteboard, an overhead projector is also installed. Teachers working in such a learning environment also use transparencies as supplementary teaching tools - to quickly capture attention and illustrate a concept.