As soon as the idea of new technology in the classroom is raised, more often than not, the first thoughts are whether it is actually going to assist with the teaching or hinder it?
‘Old school’ concerns regarding projectors still remain from the days of the OHP. For example, whether a room is too bright or too small to use a projector in, or if there is a screen in the room to project on to. These are all issues that projector manufacturers have to take into consideration when designing models for the education market. Sony has recently launched a projector specially designed for the education sector in time for the new school term. Sony’s VPL-EX4 projector is easy to use and boasts a number of features to show this; the zoom and focus are controlled with a basic wheel mechanism, the remote control signal can be received on both the front and back of the unit and its adjustable front leg eliminates the need to ‘boost’ the front of the unit with text books. But how are projectors aiding teachers in lessons?
Projectors are enhancing the classroom experience and bringing lessons to life by giving the opportunity to show the class something they cannot see in real life, such as a remote location in the world during a geography lesson, or a dangerous chemical reaction during a chemistry lesson. As this content is not always stored on a computer, but perhaps a DVD or video player, Sony’s EX4 projector is designed to allow for both a laptop and potentially a DVD player to be simultaneously connected to the unit. It is at the touch of a button that the projector can swap between the two. Not only this, but the units 3LCD technology allows for the reproduction of sharp contrast and high colour quality still and film images.
Increased levels of projector brightness immediately brings an end to the inaugural task of closing the classroom blinds or finding a dark room to use, giving back to the lesson precious teaching time. This is all thanks to new technology such as Sony’s High Brightness.
Even within the limited space of a small classroom, projectors are capable of projecting a large image, all that is needed is a clear wall or screen to project on to. When used in a confined space the issue of fan noise from any projector or computer must also be acknowledged. Sony has considered this and reduced fan noise in the EX4, simultaneously reducing class disruption.
Projectors provide schools with a flexible solution to the various classroom needs. While in one room you may wish to have a projector as a permanent fixture, but in another it may only need to be there for a single lesson. Sony’s EX4 has been constructed with screw holes on the bottom plate for use with a suspension-type bracket. But at the same time, these units can simply be put under the arm and taken to the next lesson.
One huge benefit that the projector is able to bring the classroom is that teachers no longer need to turn their back on the classroom. With chalk and pen boards, it has always been the case that the teacher has to turn their back on the classroom, resulting in the loss of communication flow. With these units however, while the image is being projected on the wall for the class to see, it can also be played on a laptop in front of the teacher as he or she is facing the class.
An unfortunate but yet ever increasing reality within schools is the subject of security, and with the introduction of any new technology this is not a matter that can be ignored. The implementation of the ever reliable Kensington style lock is one classic security option which classroom projectors need to be designed with. Along with theft being an issue to consider, comes unauthorised use of the unit. Sony has kept both of these concerns in mind whilst designing their classroom projectors. The casings have integrated Kensington lock capabilities and the use of the unit is password protected. Not only this, but Sony’s unique three year support contract allows users to mark the outside of the projector in any way, for example etching of the schools name into the projectors casing. Furthermore, ongoing maintenance need not be a worry. With Sony’s three-year service plan, users are guaranteed unlimited lamp replacement and what is known as de-install and re-install. Simply put, if your classroom unit breaks, an engineer will replace the unit with a temporary one during repair time and then re-install the fixed unit.
