There is no doubt, that when we are delivering digital content, a projector is a must! Once our content is delivered digitally, we can incorporate rich media, photos and imagery, and internet-based content quite easily. So when I look at this, I break it down into 2 pieces:
1. Where are you on your journey in moving content/instruction and teaching/learning in the digital realm?
2. What hardware/software will cost-effectively support this?
So if we are committed and have placed an investment in the journey and growth, what hardware/software could support seamless integration? What could this look like?
– a mounted projector?
– some interactive technology with the projector like a SmartBoard or Tablet?
I am presenting the Epson Brightlink Interactive projector, not as a promotional ad for it, but just an informative piece on it.
[hana-flv-player video=”https://10.155.6.59/stop-motion/brightlink.flv” width=”500″ height=”375″ description=”Epson Brightlink Interactive Projector” player=”3″ autoload=”true” autoplay=”false” loop=”false” autorewind=”true” more_3=”top1=https://10.155.6.59/stop-motion/sd41logo.png|30|20″ /]
So what? I want to hear what you think about this. Tablets, projectors, and SmartBoards…these are big-ticket items. Why not just a laptop or pc and a projector? Why interactive? Why is annotating or writing on the screen essential? How are we using them now? How should we be using them? Post your comments on our blog below.
Lucky:
What is the cost of this unit?? Projector alone is $800 so would like to know how much extra for these bells and whistles??
If the cost is close to a tablet, maybe useful. I think the most useful would be a tablet and a projector (total cost around $2800).
The cost of the Brightlink is $1950 plus taxes. A Brightlink without the interactive is $1650 (short-throw). Apart from using the tablet as a digital overhead (problem solving with math/physics etc.), how else have you seen the tablet used that has impressed you?
I think this is great for people wanting to mount their projectors since I heard mounting a projector up on the ceiling is not supported by the district (or expensive as it has to be earthquake proof).
It may not have as many features as a smart board but has certainly enough to present lessons visually. $1950
plus taxes is steep. I wonder if it could be mounted in classes in a way that would allow it to be portable from class to class?
Lucky, this is a great tool. I am definitely interested, and there shouldn’t a question on whether this is a good tool to use or not…that is a no brainer. The question you raise at the end of your video clip is essential. “What stage are we at with transferring to digital content?” I think many would like to have a Brightlink if budget allows, however, are we truly ready? We always purchase good resources, electronic and print, but after the honeymoon period they often don’t get used. If our practice includes using digital content and it’s part of our teaching then it’s worth investing.
Hi Lucky
I am ready to move to more digital content in my curriculum but do not have the hardware to do so at this point in time. At the elementary level, money is always a problem. Having a lab is wonderful but at best my class will get three periods a week ( and that is being greedy on my part). We have produced photostories, Kidspiration webs, and have posted on the class blog. Having something like a brightling in the classroom would be great as it would allow me to show projects, discuss entries on our blog (we could critique the work that is there so that students would be able to see what a good entry looks like and what one that needs improvement looks like) Being able to show/discuss/teach with the tool in the classroom makes the short computer periods more useful ( we have 18 computers in the Library so we have to share always) because time would not have to be taken to demonstrate the activity.
The brightlink would also be wonderful in the class as it does not take up any classroom space which is at a premium. The cost of buying and mounting a projector are going to be close to the cost of a brightlink so it is a good way to go.
I think that teachers that are ready to use the technology should have access to it through the district. It seems to me that the cost of mounting the brightlink to the wall would be minimal so that if a teacher moves schools the technology moves with them.
I am ready to have one installed in my room immediately so please let me know when it can happen.
gord