The Visualizer: A great piece of kit that is really transforming the learning experience!

Laura Foley, teacher of MFL is currently researching the impact visualizers can have on learning. Here are a few ideas her research group are experimenting with across the curriculum at Hodgson Academy.

We now have 9 visualisers (document cameras) in use at the Academy- a working party gathered last week to discuss technical matters and methods as well as subject specific ideas.  They were really excited about the implications and impact on learning in the classroom and particular excitement surrounded ways that DIRT and peer feedback could be modelled using the visualisers. Other great ways of using a visualiser were discussed;

• close-up heart dissection
• annotation modelling
• supporting visual learners
• showing small/delicate artefacts
• calculator demonstrations
• Lego figures for role play (by staff and students)
• key hole/slow reveal technique
• modelling best practice for presentation skills

The training information pack included in this post contains an abundance of ideas that you can try as well as an evaluation grid when reflecting on your own practice. Happy visualising!

How can I use a document camera/visualiser/visualizer in my classroom? ·                     Show and Tell ·                     Science Experiments ·                     Zoom in on small items to see the details ·                     "Big Books" - Big books are expensive. You can turn any book into a big book by placing it under the document camera ·                     Place a timer under the document camera to help with time management. ·                     Demonstrating letter formation ·                     ABC tiles - let students come up and rearrange the tiles to create words ·                     Maps ·                     Photos and images ·                     Worksheets - students can view you filling out the information instead of just listening ·                     Saved images can also be incorporated into PowerPoint Presentations and Windows Movie Maker to use in activities such as end of year programs, classroom review and back to school nights. ·                     Displaying student work ·                     Modelling feedback and DIRT ·                     Model note taking skills by using an actual piece of notebook paper. ·                     Model sentence and paragraph structure, punctuation and grammar editing ·                     Worksheets such as study guides or daily assignments. Fill out the worksheet with the students. ·                     Complete graphic organizers as a whole class ·                     Project a test for grading; students follow with their eyes and not just their ears ·                     Daily Oral Language - can be saved from year to year without writing it on the board each day ·                     Math Manipulatives such as compass, ruler, thermometer, base ten blocks, etc ·                     Show students how to set up math problems using notebook paper ·                     Math workbook pages ·                     Displaying and creating graphs ·                     Zoom in on small items to see the details ·                     Valuable items you may not want to put in the hands of students ·                     Overhead transparencies (you may need to put a white sheet of paper behind it) ·                     Pictures of historical places and events from a book or photo ·                     Art pictures or projects ·                     Let the student be the "teacher" ·                     Place a timer under the document camera to help with time management. ·                     Bell ringers or exit slips (activities for the students to do as they are coming into class or right before they leave) ·                     Model writing skills, editing, revising ·                     Worksheets such as study guides or daily assignments. Can be filled out as a classroom activity. ·                     Complete graphic organizers as a whole class ·                     Display textbooks ·                     Reference books ·                     Math manipulatives such as rulers, compass, algebra tiles, geometric figures ·                     Model how to use a calculator ·                     Graph paper ·                     Model setting up and steps for solving math problems ·                     Science experiments ·                     Dissections ·                     Microscope ·                     Science worksheets ·                     Science manipulatives ·                     Model chemistry problems, solving physics formulas ·                     Zoom in on small items to see the details ·                     Social Studies maps ·                     Resource material you may only have one of or do not want to put in the hands of students ·                     Historical items ·                     Art projects ·                     Displaying student work ·                     Save images for later use. A classroom document camera connected to a computer can act as a scanner. Teachers can place items under the document camera and use them in class that day and "save" the image for future use. ·                     Save an image of what you did in class on the document camera to place on classroom websites. Parents can "see" what their children are learning throughout the day. ·                     Saved images can also be incorporated into PowerPoint Presentations and Windows Movie Maker. ·                     Lego role play/animations

Adapted from http://www.edtechnetwork.com/document_cameras.html

 

How could YOU use a visualiser to help improve your teaching with regards to;

Literacy
Numeracy
Differentiation
Modelling
Engagement