Been asked to look at Visualizers for our whitebaords....
Last time I saw one it was about £1000, it was fantastic but we did not really need it at the time.
I have now been told they are around £300 !! Is this true ?
Can anyone give me some experiences of such devices. Good and bad.
Thanking you in advance...
They're defo around the £300 or less mark. Tried to order one but ran out of money. My "mother in law" has one at her school and she loves it...
mattx (26th February 2009)
It depends on what features you are after we have a genee 6100 as it allows us to run a monitor as wel as the projector with out haveing addition spliter boxes. see link
Visualiser, Document Camera Genee Vision Visualizer by Interactive Education
Jordan
mattx (26th February 2009)
We got 2 this year from the tesco rm vouchers.
Avervision ones I think.
Ben
mattx (26th February 2009)
We've got one from the same source - it's one of the more basic ones. I trialled it, and it seemed fine but has since sat in the ICT store room as I can't get any of the teachers to use it. Might try using it next time they ask me to do something in a teaching staff or support learning staff meeting in the hope that its usage might be appreciated.Originally Posted by plexer
mattx (26th February 2009)
Our Science dept has just bought a coule of AverMedia ones for around £200. I haven't got them setup yet but the HoD saw a demo and says 'they're great' (in a Tony the tiger way
HBJB
mattx (26th February 2009)
We have a AcerVision visualiser and the Science departments thinks it is great and will probably be buying some out of their own capitation next year.
Here is some uses i've collected over the years for things you can do with a visualiser in school:
Use of a visualiser
-To show/share 'wet' and dry art work.
-To show/share 3-D artwork.
-To show/share/annotate children's writing/calculations.
-To show/study an historical artefact.
-To show/share/capture/annotate an historical document/map.
-To observe minibeasts.
-To model a technique such as how to use a ruler/protractor, how to form letters, how to join two pieces of wood, how to solder a circuit board, how to thread a needle etc.
-To capture texts/books to make into 'big' books in IWB software (modify or remove text in, say, ORT reading books to make rub and reveal activities, write your own text etc). Add speech bubbles/thought bubbles to characters in reading books.
-Use it as a webcam and hold a video conference with it.
-Use it to take snapshots/captures that you then make into an animation with 2Animate or Photostory3.
-Look in detail at a leaf/bread/skin etc.
-Look inside a child's mouth.
-Look at a shell/fircone/flower.
-Quickly display a child's individual whiteboard.
-Whilst doing register, share the thing a kid has brought in to 'show' the class (swimming certificate etc).
-To prepare fabulous IWB resources that incorporate 'snapshots' from children's exercise books, text books, illustrations etc.
* Sharing books with the whole class - saves photocopying lots of sheets, or having to hunt down big books.
* Sharing children's work - at the end of an activity - highlighting strengths and suggesting possible improvements. We do this a lot and the children really like to see their work up on the big screen.
* Modelling - allows you to demonstrate close-up skills easily to the whole class.
enjay (27th February 2009)
just got 4 (2 for high school and 2 for primary) on a 4week trial from Lamphouse, if i remember correctly were trying two different models priced at £270ish and £325
mattx (27th February 2009)
It was lamphouse I purchased ours from.
mattx (27th February 2009)
we have a few genee visions, work really well although we had one go faulty I think we got it repaired under the warranty. used loads in science to show experiments, english and goegraphy to show kids work and pictures in books (yes, remember books!) the head can be tilted to be used as a low res camera. I would like to try a usb microscope, for about £50 would hopefuly have the same functionality without the mess of wires that you get with a visualiser has any one else had a go with these?
mattx (27th February 2009)
Couldn't you just get everyone a webcam and maybe a small tripod?
--
David Hicks
We've just thought about a vid cam on a tripod. Just over £100 for vid cam and then add a cheap tripod. Choose one with vid out and it should be OK.
We'll be trying this with the art dept soon.
Avervision models at £250 have been available for last 12-18mnths.
This years models (still £250) come with lights (needed if projector is going dim and teacher needs to dim main class lights)
IMO these are a MUST HAVE in any classroom with interactive board and projector and are the first thing I suggest when a head says they've got some money to spend
When they were £1000 - they were too expensive and I too jury rigged a 320x240 webcam - didn't work very well
At £250 for a device that has plugs/sockets/USB connection to capture images/software to use it/zoom dial/ auto focus/freeze image/simple switch between computer/camera, etc etc - its not worth mucking about
just get them - they are the proverbial canine spherical objects for teaching
Even the most ICT agnostic teacher loves them
regards
Simon
PS for anyone with older models - you can plug in a LED light module for around £60 - but maybe an anglepoise lamp at £10 might be better value
mattx (27th February 2009)
TTS are brining out a Visuliser in April - 74.99! or a 6 pack for 399.
Sounds rather cheep to be honest, but then it is just a camera on a stick!
Specification includes:
- Bendy Gooseneck
- 5 x optical zoom
- 1.3MP Digital Images
- Video Capture
- Built in Light
TTS - Primary Visualiser
I'd be interested to try one of these. Hopefully its not another DigiBlue.
That just a webcam on a stick
The BIG advantage(s) of a real device is that is doesn't rely on a computer to work - they feed the projector direct.
This gives you automatic teaching resource backup - most (young ones - us oldies remember slates - rock - not wireless
Honest, if I was in charge of IT, I'd put one in every class in the country that's got a projector!
The're the school IT equivalent of sliced bread/air-con in cars/ running water
regards
Simon
PS did I mention how useful they are?
Installed 3 last week, doing 3 next week - up to about 40% class coverage across my schools.
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