Portable projectors: Changing the classroom

In years past, teachers were bound to their classrooms by the bulky projectors they used. This is no longer the case. Today, pocket projectors, also called portable or mini projectors are taking the classroom to the students, by allowing instructors to set up class anywhere they choose, whether it be the cafeteria, the library, the front lawn, or the quad.

These mini projectors are small, portable and lightweight and can be connected to a laptop and project images onto a wall or projector screen. The use of these projectors greatly enhances interactive learning in all types of classrooms.

When classrooms have only one large projector, this draws focus to the front of the room and limits the projected images to only those set by the instructor. Typically, this projector was used for displaying a presentation, lecture or video, with students being passive recipients of information.

However, increasingly, instructors are moving towards interactive classes, flipped classes or team-based learning (TBL) classes. Studies show that the appropriate use of technology in the classroom can transfrom students from passive to active learners. However, when there is only one large projector controlled by the instructor, this is not particularly conducive to interactive learning supported by technology.

The solution for this is to use what are called pocket projectors or pico projectors. The possibilities for the uses of these projectors in the classroom are virtually endless. Also, instructors can identify how portable projectors can be used in their own classes with their specific assignments and projects.

For example, in the Team Based Learning classroom, a type of Flipped Classroom, students are split up into teams. All teams are given a significant problem to work through and then they are required to simultaneously report their findings and answers to the entire class.

This significant problem could be a quiz, wherein both individuals and teams must complete the quiz and report their answers, or it could be an application exercise wherein students must use their knowledge to critically think and apply their knowledge to solve a significant, real-world issue.

These portable projectors can be used by each team to simultaneously report their answers or solutions. Use of the mini projectors in this manner would shift students from passive to active learners. These projectors can also be used so that two teams could present their solutions to each other, and then compare and contrast each solution in an effective manner. This would facilitate active and interactive learning.

Such activities can shift the classroom focus from the front of the room, with one projector controlled by the instructor, to the student level, with students displaying their work and discussing it with fellow classmates.

Besides this, these pocket projectors can be used simultaneously with clicker technology, such that students can complete polling questions or surveys using clicker technology while watching a video on their own group or team projector.

In a smaller classroom, portable projectors can be used by students to create a poster of some other type of visual project and needed to display it on the wall, instead of printing a large poster, which requires both time and money.

So, these are several ways that portable projectors can transform a traditional classroom, for both students and teachers. These projectors are nothing short of revolutionary, and can change learning from passive to active and even, interactive. So, do consider installing a portable projector in your classroom to engage students better. Here's to interactive and fun learning!