MAXIMIZING THE USE OF THE OVERHEAD PROJECTOR AND

THE CHALKBOARD
New technology introduced terms like multimedia, hypermedia, etc. But let
us admit that the technology divide is real. Many schools especially in the
remote areas especially those who have not been reached by electricity for
one reason or another, do not have a computer. A few schools may be
bountifully blessed with computers and computer-literate teachers. But most
schools are not as blessed. They may have at least one computer but
teachers may have not been trained to use it. As a result, they resort to the
chalkboard, the most available classroom equipment and the overhead
projector which has become quite popular in schools.

The Chalkboard
Except in extremely deprived classrooms, every classroom has a chalkboard.
In fact, a school may have no computer, radio, tv, etc. but it will always have
a chalkboard. So why not make optimum use of what we have, the
chalkboard? The following practices of dedicated professional teachers may
help us in the effective use of the chalkboard:
1. Write clearly and legibly on the board. Take note that there are children in
the last rows. 2. It helps if you have a hard copy of your chalkboard diagram
or outline. That helps you to visualize the diagram or outline you like to
appear on the chalkboard. That clean diagram and organized outline must
match what you do on the chalkboard.
3. Don't crowd your notes on the board. By overcrowding your board work,
your students may fail to see the key ideas. They may not see the trees
because of the forest.
4. Make use of colored chalk to highlight key points. Color will also make your
board work more appealing. I witnessed one good teacher who had no other
visual aid except herself, the chalkboard and her colored chalks.
5. Do not turn your back to your class while you write on the chalkboard.
Write side view as you talk. Don't lose your eye contact with your class.
6. For the sake of order and clarity, start to write from the left side of the
board going right. 7. If you teach the Grades and you think the lines on the
chalkboard are needed for writing exercise, then provide the lines for your
board.
8. Look at your board work from all corners of the room to test if pupils from
all sides of the room can read your board work.
9. If there is glare on the chalkboard at certain times of the day, a curtain on
the window may solve the problem.
10.If you need to replace your chalkboard or if you are having a new
classroom with new chalkboard suggest to the carpenter to mount the
chalkboard a little concave from left to right to avoid glare for the pupils'
benefit.
11. If you need to have a board work in advance or that need to be saved for
tomorrow's use (say a quiz or a sophisticated diagram), write "Please Save"
and cover the same with a curtain.
12. Make full use of the chalkboard. It may be a traditional educational
technology but it serves its purpose very well when used correctly.

Chalkboard Techniques
a. Sharpen your chalk to get good line quality
b. Stand with your elbow high. Move along as you write.
c. Use dots as “aiming points.” This keeps writing level.
d. Make all writing or printing between 2 and 4 inches high for legibility.
e. When using colored chalk, use soft chalk so that it can be erased
easily.

The overhead Projector (OHP)

There are other kinds of projectors like opaque projector and slide projector.
The overhead projector seems more available in schools. It has lot of
advantages. Brown (1969) cites the following:
 The projector itself is simple to operate.
 The overhead projector is used in the front of the room by the
instructor, who has complete control of the sequence, timing, and
manipulation of his material.
 Facing his class and observing student reactions, the instructor can
guide his audience, control its attention, and regulate the flow of
information in the presentation.
 The projected image behind the instructor can be as large as
necessary for all in the audience to see; it is clear and bright, even in
fairly well-lighted rooms.
 Since the transparency, as it is placed on the projector, is seen by the
instructor exactly as students see it on the screen, he may point, write,
or otherwise make indications upon it to facilitate communication.
  The stage (projection surface) of the projector is large (10 by 10
inches), thus allowing the teacher to write information with ease or to
show prepared transparencies. His/her work appears immediately on
the screen.
 It is especially easy for teachers and students to create their own
materials for use in the overhead projector.
 There is an increasing number of high-quality commercial
transparencies.

Let's learn how to use it properly so we also maximize its use in the
classroom. Brown (1969) gives us several techniques:

Overhead Projection Techniques

Among the outstanding attributes of overhead projection are the many
techniques that can be used to present information and control the sequence
of a presentation. As you plan your own transparencies, keep in mind these
features of overhead projection:
 You can show pictures and diagrams, using a pointer on the
transparency to direct attention to a detail. The silhouette of your
pointer will show in motion on the screen.
 You can use a felt pen or wax-based pencil to add details or to make
points on the transparency during projection. The marks of water-
based pens and pencils can be removed with a soft cloth so that the
transparency can be reused.
 You can control the rate of presenting information by covering a
transparency with a sheet of paper or cardboard (opaque material) and
then exposing data as you are ready to discuss each point. This is
known as the progressive disclosure technique.
 You can superimpose additional transparency sheets as overlays on a
base transparency so as to separate processes and complex ideas into
elements and present them in step-by-step order.
 You can show three-dimensional objects from the stage of the projector
—in silhouette if the object is opaque, or in color if an object is made of
transparent color plastic.
 You can move overlays back and forth across the base in order to
rearrange elements of diagrams or problems.
 For special purposes you can simulate motion on parts of a
transparency by using the effects of polarized light. To do this set a
Polaroid glass spinner over the projector lens and attach a special
plastic element to parts of the transparency for which motion is
desired.
  You can simultaneously project on an adjacent screen other visual
materials, usually slides or motion pictures, which illustrate or apply
the generalizations shown on a transparency.

Reference: Corpuz, B.B. & Lucido, P.I (2012), Educational Technology 1.

Quezon City: Adriana Printing Co., Inc.