003+Projectors

**Introduction** Projectors come in many different shapes and sizes, and are used all over the world for many different reasons. They are used to project small writing into a larger size so that a large group of people can see what is being presented. Projectors have been around for a long time, and they are only getting more advanced and more efficient than ever. Although projectors can be costly, they are great to use in schools.

**History of Projectors**

The history of projectors dates back to 1420 when the first vision was though about. The first vision of a projector was a monk holding a lantern and on the side of the lantern there was a little window of a devil holding a lance. “The image, probably drawn on a thin sheet of bone, was projected onto a wall by the flame in the lantern.” (Marples, 2008). As time went by more people began to get the idea of creating projectors. There were six possible inventors of the projector. In the late 1800s, electric lighting systems were developed. Projectors were booming into the future as they became very popular for presentations because of their size and versatility. According to Marples (2008), in the mid 1990s, a new technology was created that eventually led to the first multimedia projector. Today’s projectors have the most advanced technology being able to project using LCD technology. Also projectors today can project high definition pictures and 3D pictures as well.

**Projectors in the Classroom**

Projectors are used in schools all around the world in many different ways. One way to use the projector in school is for note taking. If the teacher has a lot of content they need to teach the students, instead of writing the notes of the chalkboard, you can use a power point presentation. This will save the teacher time and it will be much more organized as well. Another way you could use the projector in the classroom is showing a video or clip. Instead of dragging the TV into the classroom, and worry about finding a video to show, many more videos can be a click of a button away (Umatilla-Morrow Education Service District).

**Pro vs Cons** There are many positives to using within the classroom. As “more school boards and teachers are investing in data projectors” they are becoming more positive for schools (http://ezinearticles.com/?SMART-Board---Pros-and-Cons-of-Using-a-Digital,-Interactive-Whiteboard-(In-the-Classroom)&id=1399407). They are beneficial to both the students as well as the teacher in regards to teaching the material. Projectors are able to display an image to the entire class for them to see at one desired location within the room on the white board. This allows all of the students in the classroom to see the image the teacher is going over and allows all of the students to follow along together as to not get lost looking for the material on a sheet of paper on their desk. Be able to keep students attention to a single location instead of at their own desks. Students will be more willing to discuss the material with the class because everyone is looking at the same material.

Although, there are many positives about having projectors within the classroom there can also be negative factors as well. Technology does not always cooperate which always a hassle. It may not turn on, work properly or have many other problems. Another negative is that this may take away traditional teaching using paper and pencil where the students must do work and read on their own.
 * Cost of Projectors**

Over the year projectors have become one of the most advanced pieces of equipment in the world. In the schools, it has changed the way teachers teach their classes. But, with this new technology comes a newer price. According to the web site eHow, “On average, overhead projectors cost between $150 and $250”([]). Now if you look at a newer LCD projector according to buyerzone bigger units go for 4000 to 10000 dollars for the unit and the installment ([]). When I compare the two numbers for the two different units it makes me wonder how much overhead projectors would still be today if newer technology would have never been invented.


 * Conclusion**

Projectors can be used in a variety of different ways. Incorporating projectors into classrooms can be a fun and interactive way for students to learn information. Using projectors can also allow students to be involved in a lesson. With the advances in technology and the constant development of new projectors, the sky is the limit when it comes to using projectors for teaching purposes.


 * Resources**

2008. Overhead projectors. Retrieved from: [] Kuroneko, Kisu. (n.d.). SMART Board- Pros and Cons of Using a Digital Interactive Whiteboard. [|http://ezinearticles.com/?SMART-Board---Pros-and-Cons-of-Using-a-Digital,-Interactive-Whiteboard-(In-the-Classroom)&id=1399407]  Jeanty, J. (n.d.). Who Invented the Projector? Retrieved September 24, 2010, from eHow: [] Macintosh, B. (n.d.). The History of Projectors. Retrieved September 24, 2010, from Ezinearticles: []  Marples, G. (2008, September 11). Retrieved September 24, 2010, from TheHistoryof: http://www.thehistoryof.net/history-of-projectors.html Stroud, S.. (2010, February). The Classroom in 3D. T.H.E. Journal, 37(2), 14. Retrieved September 24, 2010, from ProQuest Education Journals. (Document ID: 1984751851). Umatilla-Morrow Education Service District. 100 ideas for data projector and document camera. Received September 24 from []



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