Standard projectors just can’t give the same classroom or office impact that interactive projectors can these days. And, boy, these babies are hitting the world by storm! So what are they?!
People are starting to implement interactive projectors in primary classrooms, on college campuses, and are even bringing them into offices to make work presentations a little less boring.
Incorporating an interactive projector into either a learning environment or a work environment will blow your mind. The imaginative and fun ideas of this type of projection are bountiful and endless.
We are going to go over the basics of interactive projectors in this article. We’ll also go over the numerous and amazing benefits of using one of these projectors, whether it’s to teach or for a work project.
What Makes Interactive Projectors Different?
Interactive projectors are generally ultra-short throw projectors with projection mapping. The images and words are projected onto a projector screen or whiteboard, much like your standard projectors.
Unlike most projectors, however, interactive projection gives you the ability to interact with what you’re projecting. They’re able to do this with special sensors.
There are two types of interactive projectors.
DLP Projector Interactive Projectors
DLP projectors project they’re own patterns over the original display that’s being projected on a screen. This special pattern emerges in a quick flash. The interactive pen can detect this special pattern while the projector is making a connection to the pen being used. So, when you’re using the pen, the projector is able to pick up the movements. This information is understood by the projector and your device. Depending on your specific projector, some can even copy what the pen has done while saving the changes on the original document.
Infrared Interactive Projectors
Infrared projectors work in a simpler process than a DLP projector. Besides the normal lens on the projector, there’s also a special camera. When an interactive pen is used on the projected image, the pen reflects infrared light to the special camera. The movement is then reflected back to the main projected image.
Some of the newer interactive projector models enable you to interact by touch instead of using a special pen.
If you go shopping for an interactive projector, keep in mind there are also interactive touchscreen displays. These can be an option for you to explore too.
These displays don’t rely on a projector or any device. They come with software, a remote control, or sometimes a stylus pen. You interact with the interactive display like you do your touchscreen cell phone and tablet.
5 Amazing Benefits to Using Interactive Projectors
1) Keeping Your Co-Workers or Students Interested
Interactive projectors keep everyone interested in your lecture or presentation. Watching you engage on the screen will keep those who might have difficulty concentrating during a lecture on the screen.
Even better, it gives others the chance to participate. This is especially perfect for teachers and professors. There are several benefits for students when hands-on learning and interactive learning are used in the classroom. For some students, these teaching methods help them absorb information more easily.
Cut your lesson plans into easily digestible chunks. This will also help keep students’ attention span for a much longer period of time.
You can get creative for your students. You can create educational games, fun learning competitions between students, assign group projects to be presented with the projector, or just explore the wonderful world of education.
You can also mix up your lessons or work presentations. Who says you have to stick to a boring slideshow or video?
2) Creates Teamwork
Using an interactive projector is a fantastic way to create teamwork in the classroom or to bond people together in offices.
Since creativity is endless when using one of these projectors, you can make interactive team building projects or create team assignments. Collaborative learning can be an enjoyable way to learn new subjects.
3) Better Productivity
Using one of these interactive projectors can also help increase productivity in either your classroom or office.
For classrooms, you won’t need to waste your time having to write or erase on a whiteboard. Plus, your lectures will be ready to go when you walk in the room since they can be made in the comfort of your home.
You’ll no longer have to tinker with a long and difficult setup. These projectors are super easy to get set up. Not to mention, the newer technology won’t break down on you in the middle of an important presentation.
4) More Flexibility
Interactive projectors are making topics more flexible. If you’re showing a work presentation and want to go over last quarters’ reports, you can do this quickly without having to head to your device to make the switch.
The same goes for a school lecture or plan. If students are interested, you can dig deeper into an adjacent subject. You can use that extra time you’re saving!
5) Better for the Environment
More and more, we’re focusing on environmental issues. The growth of technology has helped us move from our old energy consuming ways and wreaking havoc on the planet by tearing it up for constant resources.
Interactive projectors can help us with conserving the environment. They can encourage you to use less paper for homework projects.
Students can even go online to access notes you made on your lesson from the day via a file sharing program. So, instead of printing out notes or even writing them out, they can be studied online.
The Bottom Line
The benefits of interactive projectors will change the way we retain information fed to us. It will revolutionize the learning of children.
Interactive projectors are the future in projector technology. Before you know it, every classroom and office will be using these incredible gifts to improve every presentation.