Technical information

ICT in the science department 1612 © CLEAPSS 2005
Portable projectors
If only one or two projectors are available for the whole department, they may need to
be portable. If theft is likely, they will need to be kept secure when unattended, for
example, with a Kensington
®
-type
1
security cable. Securing the computer, video loud-
speakers and projector to the same trolley avoids the need to connect leads every time
the system is moved from room to room.
16.5.10 Interactive whiteboards
Interactive whiteboards are now fitted in many classrooms and laboratories. They
combine a surface to project images from a data projector with a computer input syst-
em, which allows interaction with a computer program by touching the board by hand
or using a special pen. At its simplest, the whiteboard can be used to display digital
drawings created on the screen by the teacher, replicating a traditional dry-wipe
board. However there are far more powerful ways to use the technology, allowing the
teacher and pupils to interact with a range of simulations and mathematical displays
on the screen. Interactive whiteboards are expensive. They are likely to be damaged, if
written on with ordinary board pens.
m
Some teachers complain of projector dazzle because they have to work in the light path
from the projector, when using an interactive whiteboard. Detailed safety advice has
been issued by the HSE and Becta
2
.
There is no risk by looking at an image on the screen, only by looking into the project-
or lens, which is more likely with an interactive whiteboard. However, the risk of
harm to the eye, if this occurs, appears to be very low.
The HSE guidance is as follows.
• Staring directly into the projector beam should be avoided at all times.
• Standing facing into the beam should be minimised. Users, especially students,
should try to keep their backs to the beam as much as possible.
• In this regard, the use of a stick or laser pointer is recommended to avoid the
need for the user to enter the beam.
• Pupils and students should be adequately supervised when they are asked to
point out something on the screen.
• Employers should also try to ensure that projectors are located out of the sight
line from the screen to the audience; this ensures that, when presenters look at
the audience, they do not also have to stare at the projector lamp. The best way
to achieve this is by ceiling mounting rather than floor or table mounting.
In order to minimise the lamp power needed to project a visible presentation, room
blinds should be used to reduce ambient light levels.
Some teachers have expressed a preference for the use of a conventional pull-down
fabric screen. They then use a cordless graphics tablet (see 16.5.6) to interact with the
computer program, in a similar way to the use of an interactive whiteboard. Using a
graphics tablet, rather than an interactive whiteboard, avoids dazzle from the proj-
ector or casting shadows on the screen. It also gives the teacher freedom to roam
around the classroom and pupils can use the tablet without leaving their seats.
1
Most laptop computers and projectors include a special slot for the attachment of Kensington
®
locks. See www.kensington.com.
2
British Educational and Communications Technology Agency: www.becta.org.uk.