Short-throw Laser Projector Safety for K-1 students

[mecolema]

My district is considering a short-throw laser projector for new K-1 classroom builds. Just today while working with a demo unit while it was on for testing and alignment I happened to briefly glance towards the lens and temporarily hurt my vision. I experienced slightly blurred vision, headache, and eye-watering. Considering this would be an interactive short-throw laser projector, the expectation is that students would come in front of it often to interact directly with projected image.

 

Has anyone else had concerns of students in that age range accidentally (or purposely) looking into a short-throw laser projector lens?

[jmak]

K-1 should be less likely to encounter the problem as it will be further from their eye line. However, it would need to be a very unusual set up for me to look beyond an interactive flat panel display for an infants' classroom. This would be one of the arguments in favour of the touchscreen.

[mecolema]

K-1 should be less likely to encounter the problem as it will be further from their eye line. However, it would need to be a very unusual set up for me to look beyond an interactive flat panel display for an infants' classroom. This would be one of the arguments in favour of the touchscreen.

 

This was also my thought however where ever the image projects, i.e. the place the students would also interact with the projected image, would need to have direct line of sight to the lens and optical light source. For example, if a K student needs to go to the whiteboard to interact, the projected image would need to be situated in such a way where they would be able to reach at least the middle of the image at their height. The angle of the lens would need to be lower thus when they turned around away from the board they could easily glance up and into the lens.

[jmak]

It's always a potential issue with any projector - another very good reason to go for flat panels. The ultimate short throw projectors (wall mounted) are much better than the traditional type. The only reason I'd consider a projector nowadays is if you need an unusually large image (in excess of 85" as a rough guide). I've never needed that in a normal sized classroom - things might be different in the US.

Total cost of ownership is favourable to the flat panels now.

[FN-GM]

I agree - this happens with all projectors.

 

We have moved everything apart from halls from projectors onto LCD screens. Both IT and staff prefer them. They are much more reliable, produce a better image, easier to see in bright light and you don't get the shadows that a projector produces. You also don't have pay a fortune for lamps and they use less energy to run.