1. Introduction

2.  This training session aims to;  Familiarise you with what a visualiser is and how you can use one to aid your teaching.

3.  What is a visualiser?  Visualiser sophistication can range from ‘webcam on a stick’ through to a fully interactive, backlit, state of the art piece of technology. These training sessions will be focussed on the simpler type of visualiser.

4.  How does it work?  A visualiser allows the user to project a static or real time image onto their interactive whiteboard. In essence it is a lot like an old fashioned over head projector, but it can see details, not just the ‘light and shade’ of the old OHP. Whatever you place on the ‘stage’ of the visualiser will be projected to your screen.

5.  How do I set it up?  Unless you have admin rights on your computer your computer technicians will probably be setting this up for you. Make sure that it is put on your desk in a position that is easy for you to use, but does not get in the way of the students seeing the board.

6.  Adjusting the visualiser  Each visualiser is different, please check your manual to see how to adjust the brightness, focus etc to get the best possible images.

7.  Use 1: Static images  This is particularly useful if you want to show the students how to set up apparatus, or perhaps you want to show a piece of work and then annotate it on the board.

8.  Place the object you want onto the visualiser stage (this is the white surface you use as the background). Open up your visualiser software and choose to take a picture. You can now annotate the image on the interactive whiteboard.

9.  Use 2: Real time images  This is particularly useful if you want to show students how to set something up, or you wish to demonstrate an experiment.

10.  Open up your visualiser software and click on the ‘play’ arrow. You can now open this full screen. Anything you do on the stage will now be projected onto the board behind you. Please note that often there is a small time lag so fast movements will not be caught very well.

11.  Some examples of uses:  The following are just a few ideas for use in a range of lessons. Peer assessment could of course be used in all subjects. EnglishMathsScienceArt Comparing and contrasting texts. Demonstration of symmetry and rotation. Carrying out a heart dissection. Showing a drawing or painting technique. Peer assessment of written work. Balancing equations using counters. Showing colour with a Newton’s Disc. Comparing students work to famous art.