ICT - Product Review Is this the future of classroom demonstrations?
The ELMO Visual Presenter MO-1 claims to be ‘your presentation partner’, but can it stand up to the demands of an ever-increasingly technology savvy classroom? Education Today finds out.
What does the manufacturer say? The ELMO Visual Presenter MO-1 shows documents and small items clearly on a monitor or screen. With this item, you can improve your persuasive power and increase the depth of understanding of your presentation or demonstration. Lightweight with a compact design, you can carry the MO-1 wherever you need to.
So, what does it do?
The presenter uses an image capture device to project the images of documents and three- dimensional objects that have been placed underneath the camera to a screen through a projector, or to a digital TV monitor. A zoomable lens allows you to adjust the size of the image as required and computer software that comes with the device allows you to sync the unit up to a nearby PC or laptop so you can enhance your lesson with annotation and drawing features.
Is it any use in the classroom?
The idea of a projector is not a new concept, but this particular visual presenter has certainly got something to add. As well as a handy light feature to illuminate your presentation, you can draw, highlight and manipulate areas of interest to your class using the accompanying software. In addition, the unit offers viewing in especially high definition, providing students with a comfortable learning environment without any effort.
Students will view projected images from the point of view of you, the demonstrator, meaning there is no confusion when giving ‘left’ and ‘right’ instructions.
This particular unit is extremely lightweight at just under 600 grams and is particularly suitable for supply teachers on the move, or even full-time teachers who move teaching locations throughout the week.
Best uses
This is probably going to be most beneficial for teachers of practical subjects. Science teachers wanting to show experiments and reactions up close for full impact would find this especially useful, as would technology teachers wishing to demonstrate safety precautions from a safe distance before using dangerous equipment in a design class. The possibilities are endless.
Any downsides?
Whilst the unit is marketed as ‘transportable’, it’s worth bearing in mind that it needs a power supply to operate and the accompanying software runs on a computer that you’ll need nearby in order to operate the unit effectively. Also, make sure all your firewalls are disabled before you install the accompanying software, or you might run into problems.
Should I buy it?
This piece of kit is likely to enhance your lessons if you’re the kind of teacher who has previously had
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students crowding round your desk to peer at cultures on a petri dish, or you’ve ever experienced the upheaval that goes along with getting a number of students to move their chairs closer to the front of the class.
It’s a handy, slick bit of kit, but there are a number of visualisers already on the market. However, the ELMO MO-1 certainly holds its own in terms of lightweight compactability, ease-of- use and high clarity visual imaging.
October 2012
www.education-today.co.uk
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