· Identify a current technology that has emerged in the last few years that shapes learning or productivity in your industry.
A current technology that has emerged in the last few years that has shaped learning in education is the Elmo. The Elmo also known as a visualizer/document camera replaced the overhead projector.
· What problems or challenges have been associated with this technology?
1. One disadvantage to the document camera is the cost to purchase them. Currently, the document cameras cost around $400 to purchase which is approximately $200 more than an overhead projector (Frisk,2008).
2. The maintenance of the document camera can also be costly.
3. It is not a stand alone piece of equipment. It requires connection to a computer or television monitor.
4. I feel there are limited hands-on interaction with the Elmo. Yes, the document camera is used to project images but what’s next. At most, the students can go to the screen and point but the hands-on interaction stops there.
What societal need does it meet, and what are its benefits?
The main societal need that has been met by the document camera is that it eliminates the need for copying because images and text can be projected directly from its source. Some benefits to the Elmo projector are:
1. The document camera provides visual stimulation in color or black and white or even living objects.
2. It has the ability to enlarge objects or text.
3. It is a portable tool.
4. It is light weight and does not have a bulky body.
5. Set up is very minimal.
What would make this technology even better, avoiding the pitfalls you identified?
One thing that makes the document camera better than the Overhead projector is the document camera eliminated the need to have transparencies to display information. Again, the document camera whatever is put on its base. In my opinion, one thing that would make this technology better is ability of the user to be able to step in front of the images being projected on the screen and not block the light / the image.
Reference:
Frisk, J. (2008). The Document Camera: Advancing Classroom Visual Technology. Tech and Learning. Retrieved from http://www.techlearning.com/article/the-document-camera-advancing-classroom-visual-technology/45399
