The InFocus IN3916 projector is an interactive projector that allows a teacher to change her regular whiteboard into an interactive whiteboard. The projector can be connected to a laptop computer or directly to a TV/DVD player. Its interactive feature is a wireless LiteBoard wand which allows teachers and students to interact with the whiteboard from the middle of the classroom. One of the cool features of the wireless LiteBoard wand is the ability to write, draw, and highlight on PowerPoint presentations to emphasize any relevant points a teacher or student would like to make. Another feature of the wireless wand is that it acts like a mouse control or a remote presenter pointer when a laptop computer is connected to the projector. This allows a teacher to move about the classroom and interact with the students without the teacher having to be next to the computer or whiteboard. Students can watch movies, presentations, or play interactive educational competitive games from anywhere in the classroom.
The InFocus IN3916 projector with the wireless wand was used in my class to allow students to interact with each other. Topics in Chemistry and Integrated Science were studied using online interactive websites on a regular whiteboard. Using the InFocus wireless LiteBoard wand is similar to using the wand control on the Sony Video Wii console. Students who were familiar with this kind of video control usually found it easier to control the wireless wand of the InFocus IN3916 projector. Any time the wand feature was involved in an activity, many students volunteered to participate.
Students were able to play interactive games that were created using various websites, such as http://resources.oswego.org/
The InFocus IN3916 projector with the wireless wand was used in my class to allow students to interact with each other. Topics in Chemistry and Integrated Science were studied using online interactive websites on a regular whiteboard. Using the InFocus wireless LiteBoard wand is similar to using the wand control on the Sony Video Wii console. Students who were familiar with this kind of video control usually found it easier to control the wireless wand of the InFocus IN3916 projector. Any time the wand feature was involved in an activity, many students volunteered to participate.
Students were able to play interactive games that were created using various websites, such as http://resources.oswego.org/
Although, there are some great features of the InFocus IN3916 projector, it still takes some time to get familiar with and to learn how to use the features of this projector. As with any wireless control, there are limitations, such as the maximum distance you can be away from the projector and the control of the wand, especially for those of us who are not video savvy or experts. However, although it is a learning curve, it is definitely worth using this projector to see the students excited about learning and interacting with topics, especially in science.
Some websites used and explored with this projector are as follows:http://www.oswego.org/ocsd-web/games/RndGenerator/rndnogen.html (Random number generator - great for creating groups)
http://kevinculpepper.edublogs.org/gametemplates/ (Some game templates)
http://www.energyquest.ca.gov/wattsthat_junior/ (Used to learn about forms of Energy in Integrated Science)
http://classroom.jc-schools.net/sci-units/energy.htm#Interactive_ (Will be using the link for building interactive Electric circuits)
http://spaceplace.nasa.gov/en/kids/st8/thermal_loop/ (Students played this game to obtained random vocabulary words to define for homework)
http://www.wisc-online.com/objects/ViewObject.aspx?ID=SCE304 (Students learned about Heat Transfer )
I am a high school math teacher who recently had an Epson BrightLink 450Wi Interactive Ultra-Short Throw Projector installed in my classroom. Having only a standard whiteboard previously, I've found this interactive projector to be a great upgrade for my lesson planning and for my students' learning. In comparison, the InFocus projector seems to have a lot more interactive capabilities and provides more opportunity for student interaction. With the Epson pen, it's necessary to physically touch the board in order to use the tool as a mouse or a pen. Being able to control the board like a Wii controller would allow me to circulate around the room more frequently and provide students with opportunities to interact during the lesson. Thank you for your explanation of the InFocus projector.
ReplyDeleteI'm the tech support person at a small, K-8 school, and devices such as the InFocus might help us afford finally to bring interactivity and projection to more of our classrooms. The big decision, however, is what technology to choose. Interactive projector? Touch-sensitive board with projector? Firm interactive board with projector? Interactive sensor that can be added to a regular whiteboard? I'd love to know whether Eric and others think interactive projectors are suitable alternatives to Smart Boards, Prometheans, Polyvision Enos, Mimios and such. I realize each product has its own strengths and drawbacks. I'm just curious whether interactive projectors might be a reasonable compromise.
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