How do I use my visualiser?
Visualisers are an amazing tool for boosting engagement and pupil interest. Here are some tips on how to best use yours.
How do I use my visualiser?
Visualisers are an amazing tool for boosting engagement and pupil interest. Here are some tips on how to best use yours.
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What is a visualiser?
A visualiser, or document camera as it’s also known, is an amazing tool for a teacher and can unlock endless possibilities for teaching. You can replace the libraries of best practices and models with the visualiser. Reaching the model work naturally by annotating a worksheet with answers found in cooperation with students.
It may be the case that you’ve had a visualiser for a while now and never seen the use. Maybe its unplugged and forgotten. Serving as a place to put paper on top of after trying it out and thinking it just wasn’t for you.
The visualiser is for everyone. The first thing you should check before using the visualiser, however, is the space its being used in. Is it in the corner of your desk with all the wires and paper and pens? Or is it in a clearer area where you can easily manipulate the studied object or annotate the sheet being discussed. If you can’t easily interact with the thing that’s being studied, then it’ll be just as hard for your class to do so from their desks.
Saving your time and efforts for better teaching
A visualiser can replace tonnes of time preparing, passing around, marking, and checking by presenting the focus of your lesson directly at the front of the class and then manipulating it in the same way you’d expect the class to. Not only does this mean savings on 20+ printouts every lesson, but your presentation can be a lot more involved and engaging. As opposed to a static element in PowerPoint or an explanation that students with difficulties paying attention may not be able to follow, you now have a way to keep pace with the class.
The visualiser can also be used outside the classroom. Most models can record, capture, and freeze the image shown along with a microphone for voice overs. This means you can create resources for cases like homework, distance learning, or for when you’re unavailable and the TA needs a helping hand. Depending on the time you’re able to give. There’s really no roof when it comes to presenting with a visualiser and creating resources that can be used endlessly.
Is your visualiser one of the forgotten ones? Or maybe you don't have one at all. We're happy to help you get to grips with and maximise the use of the visualiser with our expert trainers. They understand which visualiser can best suit your needs and how to use it effectively in the classroom. Contact us here if you're interested in learning more.
Each lesson is an opportunity
Every lesson that you’ve used a resource in is a lesson that can use a visualiser. Close ups of a chemical reaction demonstration, examples on how to use an ordinance survey map, annotations for poetry or plotting a solution in geometry. If there’s a resource, you can demonstrate it at the pace your class needs to and divert on as many tangents as you want without having to worry about your PowerPoint not tracking.
What you use your visualiser for is ultimately up to your discretion. One of the most effective uses, however, must be modelling. Working with your class towards an answer that everyone feels they made together. (Even if it was mostly guided by yourself). This not only lets you gauge the understanding of the class for a given subject, but it also lets students voice out their thoughts instead of working off just their own ideas.
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