Here’s why you should ditch the chalkboard for a laser projector this coming September
The chalkboard is a classic, time-honored educational tool. It’s also out of date. Even its replacement, the whiteboard, could use an upgrade.
Teachers across America have switched to a classroom projector instead. With them, teachers can create multimedia presentations that ignite students’ imaginations and keep their eyes on the lesson rather than their phones.
Using a projector for classroom teaching has been a hot topic in education for years. Recent innovations in the field make it cheap and easy to get started. Here’s why you should pick up a projector for classroom use when class starts back up this fall.
Facing front
The first reason to switch to a classroom projector is both the most and least obvious. A lot can happen when a teacher turns their back to write on a chalkboard or whiteboard. Kids can get rowdy when no one’s looking, and we haven’t figured out a way to put eyes on the backs of our heads.
With a classroom projector, teachers can face their students at all times. A projector's biggest benefit for teachers might be that you can keep your class within your field of vision.
This is particularly important for K-12 teachers. A projector lets you pay more attention to your students. That means less horseplay and more actual learning.
Did You Know?:360-degree installation allows a Ricoh projector to work at any angle, even upside down. Click here to find out more.
Getting the most out of your teaching time
How much of their day do teachers use up by writing notes on the board? An average teacher loses a few minutes out of every period to simply setting up the day’s lesson.
A classroom projector lets you prepare your notes ahead of time using transparencies or multimedia slides. You’re able to dive into the day’s teaching that much faster. That keeps students engaged and focused, with minimal time wasted. Then, when your next class starts, you’ve still got the notes and can jump right into class.
Did You Know?:Ricoh’s line of laser projectors comes equipped with 4K resolution input compatibility, so you can use the highest-quality images in your lessons. Click here to learn more about our projector line.
Making lessons larger than life
Classroom projectors offer many opportunities for visual learning. Hook a projector up to a webcam or laptop. Now you can show your class high-definition video or images.
It’s one thing to teach students about history or math when it’s all in a book. With a classroom projector, you can turn almost anything into a useful visual aid. It brings dry subjects to life.
This could be as simple as showing an image of a historical object. You can enlarge the projection until it’s the size of a whole wall. Now your students can see every tiny detail as you show them each one’s meaning. It transforms a topic from words in a book to something visual and immediate. That interactivity can give a student lasting memories.
Putting everyone on the same page
In group work, a key part of the process is creating a shared visual environment. It’s one thing to give everyone a worksheet. With a classroom projector, a teacher can turn that worksheet into a shared exercise. Walk a class through a complicated equation or historical period. They can watch every step of the process. Now they know how it works, and are equipped to tackle similar problems themselves.
The projector also makes it easy to use students’ work as an example. With a camera hooked up to the projector, you can show the class a successful project or great term paper. Then, go through what made it work.
That’s the value of a strong presentation tool like a classroom projector. Everyone in the room is looking at the same image at the same time. It’s a shared experience. That makes it easier to guide a group of students through the lesson of the day.
Public speaking and multimedia skills
Teachers, such as David Ginsburg writing for Education Week, have reported that students like to use projectors for their presentations. It allows for more creativity in reports and presentations than simply writing lines on the board.
It also lets students practice their multimedia skills. They can show photos, book excerpts, and even video. This lets them exercise their creativity, which makes it easier and more fun to learn. Teachers can set up projects to allow students to put their own personal spins on them, then show off their work to the class. Your classroom projector shines, no pun intended, when you can use it to bring the class together, through shared information.
Screen time conditioning
We live in a digital age. One of the most debated topics in modern education is the concept of what education writer Paul Barnwell calls media balance: how and when to use digital screens in the classroom. Classroom projectors have a role in that debate.
A classroom projector draws the eye, and is perfect for several kinds of educational programming that have been found to boost student engagement This includes short videos, interactive presentations, and live drawing exercises during class. Work with your students’ screen time, not against it.
Our recommendation: RICOH Projector
Once you’re ready to upgrade to a laser projector for classroom teaching, take a look at Ricoh’s lineup of products. For first-time users, the RICOH Compact Laser Projector PJ WUL5A50 is easy to use. You can install it on the floor, wall, or ceiling, for easy placement in any classroom. While it’s small, it features up to 5,200 lumen brightness and can project an image up to 300 inches wide.
The WUL5A50 is worth the investment for K-12 teachers and college professors alike. Click here to learn more or shop the rest of Ricoh’s projector line.
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