Hypothesis Proved: A Projector in the Classroom is a Bright Idea
At Whitford Middle School in Beaverton, Ore., students in Susan Holveck's science classes are reaping the benefits of the InFocus LP640 projector she received as part of a grant technology package. Holveck applied for the grant, created to improve interactive labs and Internet lessons in science classrooms, after she was hired as a teacher in Beaverton's "Talented and Gifted" program for students in the top percentile of achievement. "I knew this grant package would be immensely useful to me as a teacher trying to meet the needs of really bright kids who are already technologically savvy, " says Holveck.
The LP640 has become an integral part of teaching, allowing Holveck to seamlessly incorporate interactive Websites and Internet content into her lessons. For example, when Mount St. Helens erupted in October 2004, Susan's class watched the eruption live in nine-ft.-wide images, as steam and ash filled the air. She also uses the projector to display Internet content demonstrating complex, hard-to-grasp concepts.
"The students are so media savvy that the large screen image really appeals to them and grabs their attention," says Holveck. "When we were studying DNA replication, transcription and translation, I displayed an online interactive presentation. The students asked me to play it over and over again until they understood."
Holveck feels projection technology breeds enthusiasm for learning among students, but another benefit of using a projector in the classroom is the fostering of crucial presentation skills. The students use the classroom projector to practice using presentation software and creating visually captivating slides to present their own research with powerful impact.
