Government Technology

Interactive Learning Made Easy
Paul Gardner, Business Development Manager, 3M United Kingdom plc

The adoption of digital projection systems for use in classroom and lecture theatre environments is rapidly increasing throughout the UK and Ireland.  Education authorities are realising the benefits that advanced projection systems can bring to the whole learning experience by enabling pioneering teaching methods.

One of the reasons the uptake of these systems has increased so rapidly is the introduction of easy to install, simple to use “short-throw” systems that combine projection, audio and an interactive whiteboard in a single wall-mounted design, freeing up classroom space and removing distracting cables.

Improving the classroom and lecture theatre experience for both teachers and students is just one of the many benefits that users of contemporary digital projection systems can realise.  Other benefits include improved health and safety, reduced installation costs, minimised shadowing and elimination of problems with architecturally challenging rooms or demanding environments.

Health and Safety
Health and safety concerns have long surrounded the use of interactive whiteboards in classrooms, especially those used by very young children. Traditional projectors need to be installed at a distance from walls, projection screens or whiteboards, either suspended from the ceiling or placed in the middle of the room on desks, to ensure the projected image fits into the projection area. Often long cords and multiple equipment connections are required, which can be a safety hazard and distract from the lesson. It is the responsibility of Government agency Becta to work with its framework of suppliers to address these for the future development of interactive technology in schools.

Becta has provided advice to schools on the health and safety implications of using projection equipment in the classroom and published simple guidelines. One of the foremost concerns is the potential of projectors to cause eye injury, particularly if children or teachers stand in front of the beam to deliver presentations. The following are a selection of the Becta guidelines:

• Do not stare directly into the beam
• When entering the beam, users should not look towards the audience for more than a few seconds
• Users should keep their backs to the projector beam when standing in it
• Children should be supervised at all times when a projector is being used
  

Projector positioning in the classroom is also particularly important.  Today, there are a number of projection systems available that can be installed right at the front of the class or hung on the wall above any projection screen or digital whiteboard with a short-throw, or ‘super close’ projector on a boom.

3M was the first company to introduce the concept of ‘super close’ projection to the education market with the launch of its Digital Media System (DMS) 800 Series projectors.  The product incorporates Vikuiti Super Close Projection technology, a proprietary 3M technology which has been on the market since 2001. The super close projector allows projection of bright, crisp images from a 50 inch to 85 inch diagonal, producing minimal shadowing and reducing the problem of the projector lamp shining into teachers’ eyes when they are working on the screen.

Simple to Install
Local education authorities ever watchful of costs and installation times are benefiting from the speed and ease with which 3M’s digital projection systems can be installed. The DMS800 has been designed to overcome the problem of complicated and costly ceiling installations, such as asbestos, high ceilings, awkward light fittings and so on.  It comes with a wall mounting bracket and a connection plate with an integral wiring harness. A full function remote control and RGB computer cable also accompany the system, together with a RCA audio and video cable. In addition, where whiteboards are not available, the latest products can project clearly onto normal projection screens or even suitable walls.

Inevitably, classrooms and lecture theatres come in all shapes and sizes.  Solutions available from 3M also include the DMS815 interactive projector with detachable digital annotation pod and the new DMS810 interactive projector with built-in pod, which provide the ability to turn almost any surface into an interactive whiteboard, offering an increased level of flexibility in unusual or irregular shaped and sized classroom environments.

Additionally, 3M projection technology encourages students to participate more in the learning process by enabling them to physically interact with the lesson materials.  The 3M Digital WallDisplay 9000 Plus Series and the 3M Digital Whiteboard products encourage greater interactivity and visual interest amongst students.   The Digital WallDisplay 9000 consists of multiple tools, making it suitable for capturing and communicating vast quantities of information.  It combines state-of-the-art projection, digital annotation and mouse control in a wall-mounted design to maximise communication in the most demanding teaching environments.  

3M’s Digital Whiteboard is recognisable in many classrooms today. Simply connected to a computer via an easy-to-use USB connection it can display, via the digital projector, visuals from the internet, images from the gallery of clipart, graphs, diagrams and plans.  Its interactive software is really easy to use and is ideal for use with the 3M DMS800, is designed for long-term durability and is perfect for sustained school usage.   

Advanced digital projection technology is revolutionising the way our children are taught.  The introduction of Vikuiti Super Close Projection into the education environment is presenting users with the opportunity to engage in stimulating and engaging teaching practises whilst addressing all the health and safety concerns expressed by both teachers and students.   

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