Evaluation

Classroom management

The data projector and laptop computer took a while to set up in a classroom. They are expensive pieces of equipment, and therefore could not be left unattended in a classroom. Time had to be allowed for setting up and packing away after each lesson. The only time available for this was either pre-school or lunch time. This had timetable implications for its use.

The monitor settings had to be altered on the laptop each time the data projector was used. Teachers had to learn how to do this before using the equipment.

NB hold down the Fn key. Tap F5 on a standard laptop (F4 on the BECTa laptop) until the picture appears on both the laptop and the external display.

Advantages of using the data projector

Using the data projector proved an effective method of teaching text manipulation and shared writing objectives in literacy lessons. Pupils responded well and were impressed by the direct effects they could obtain. This directness also gave confidence in altering and editing text, knowing that the saved original could be restored if necessary.

Boys responded well to the data projector and appeared interested and animated by its use in an English lesson.

As a tool for manipulating text and for shared writing activities, the data projector was extremely useful. Here are some of the advantages:

• The large display is well received by pupils.
• There is no need to copy large amounts of text onto the board.
• Text could be manipulated and edited instantly and easily.
• There was no limit to the amount of text that could be dealt with.
• Extended writing could be produced and discussed with everyone able to see the work.
• Work could easily be saved, retrieved and used again.
• There is great scope for using the Internet as a literacy resource with the data projector, either by connecting to the Internet or saving pages in a cache on the laptop.