Lesson 14

Maximizing the Use of the Overhead Projector and the Chalkboard

The chalkboard

Except in extremely deprived classrooms, every classroom has a chalkboard. In fact, a school may have no computer, radio, TV yet, but it will always have a chalkboard. So why not make optimum use of what we have.

The following practices of dedicated professional teachers may help us in the effective use of the chalkboard:

1.      Write clearly and legibly on the board. Take note that there are children in the last rows.

2.      It helps if you have a hard copy or your chalkboard diagram or outline.

3.      Don’t crowd your notes on the board.

4.      Make use of colored chalk to highlight key points.

5.      Do not turn your back to your class while you write on the chalkboard.

6.      For the sake of order and clarity, start to write from the left side of the board going right.

7.      If you teach the grades and you think the lines on the chalkboard are needed for writing exercise, then provide the lines for your board.

8.      Look at your board work from all corners of the room to test if pupils from all sides of the room can read your board work.

9.      If there is glare on the chalkboard at certain times of the day, a curtain on the window may solve the problem.

10. If you need to replace your chalkboard or if you are having a new classroom with new chalkboard a little concave from left to right to avoid glare for the pupils’ benefit.

11. If you need to have a board work in advance or that need to be saved for tomorrow.

12. Make full use of the chalkboards.

The overhead projector (OHP)

There are other kinds of projectors like opaque projector and slide projector. The overhead projector seems more available in schools. It has a lot of advantages. Brown (1969) cites the following:

·         The projector itself is simple to operate.

·         The overhead projector is used in the front of the room by the instructor.

·         Facing his class and observing student reactions, the instructor can guide his audience.

·         The projected image behind the instructor exactly as students sees it on the screen.

·         The stage (projection surface) of the projector is large (10 by 10 inches).

·         It is especially easy for teachers and students to create their own materials for use in the overhead projector.

·         There is an increasing number of high-quality commercial transparencies.

Overhead projection techniques

Among the outstanding attributes of overhead projection are the many techniques that can be used to direct attention to a detail.

·         You can show pictures and diagrams, using a pointer on the transparency to direct attention to a detail.

·         You can use a felt pen or wax-based pencil to add details or to make points on the transparency during projection.

·         You can superimpose additional transparency sheets as overlays on a base transparency so as to separate processes and complex ideas into elements and present them in step-by-step order.

·         You can show three-dimensional objects from the stage of the projector.

·         You can move overlays back and forth across the base in order to rearrange elements of diagrams or problems.

·         For special purposes you can simulate motion on parts of a transparency by using the effects of polarized light.

·         You can simultaneously project on an adjacent screen other visual materials.

·         Stand off to one side of the OHP while you face the students.

·         Don’t talk to the screen.

·         Place the OHP on a table low enough so that it does not block you or the screen.

·         Have the top of the screen titled forward towards the OHP to prevent the “keystone effect”.

·         Avoid the mistake of including too much detail on each image.

·         Avoid large tables of figures.

·         Don’t read the text on your slide.

·         Avoid too much text.

·         Your presentation must be readable from afar.

We can learn from the experiences from others. Brown (1969) enumerates effective practices. Let’s learn from them.

·         In primary grades, simple objects like keys, leaves, and cutout paper shapes can be placed directly on the projector.

·         In English composition lessons, student themes or writing exercises can be reproduced on film by means of the heat or photocopy process.

·         In arithmetic, blank sheets of acetate and grease pencils can be given to selected students.

·         In geometry and trigonometry, two-and three-dimensional diagrams can be built up.

·         In physical education and team raining, plays and game procedures may be analyzed.

·         In social studies, all types of maps can be enlarged after accurate but easy preparation.

In many classes, testing and evaluation materials previously can be achieved by (1) placing a sheet of paper over the transparency and moving it down to expose succeeding lines of type, (2) attaching strips of opaque paper to the sides of the mask in order to cover portions of the transparency image.