Pros and Cons of using a projector in the classroom

The use of the projector in class can be an excellent opportunity to improve the quality of your presentation, but it has some problems too.

Pros:

The best way to really make a change in the way you present your class is using a projector. If you want to leave behind the use of the whiteboard, which is really boring, then this is a good tool to do it.

You can use it to present the whole class, or just as a supporting tool for your work. In any case, you can have all your class prepared in advance, so you have time to make some adjustments, find a good material and even considering the possible problems that can occur in the classroom.

You can add not just texts, but also, images, music, videos, internet links, use all the possible tools and options in Microsoft Power Point if you want to present your class in slides. In addition, there is always a drop of uncertainty in the students, because they will never know what you can bring to suprise them. That produces curiosity and expectation.

Cons:

I think, the problem is not the use of projectors, the problem is that, as teachers, we tend to make the same mistakes over and over again.

The main problem is using the projector as a whiteboard. You project every single word you will say, using small and boring fonts (Times New Roman, black) no single image, and with hundreds of slides (boring for the students). Another problem is not considering all the potential of Microsoft Power Point (movement, color, video, music, sounds, etc.) or considering ONLY Microsoft Power Point. There are more interesting programs you can use (Cmaptools; to create brainstorms and diagrams, for example).

It is boring if you just use it to give information, if you dont consider in using it for activities, contests or make the student participate too.

It takes a bit of time to set all and be ready, and even though, sometimes, nothing works, or... what about a blackout? then what? whiteboard again? did you think in every possible problem it can bring just using projectors?

It is expensive, very expensive. And unless you have a classroom for yourself, you have to carry it all over the school. It is tiring, uncomfortable and risky (what if it falls?).

I think, Pros and Cons can continue on and on to create a longer list. But, the point is not considering the use of projectors as totally wrong, neither as the best tool in the world. The important thing is that you must know that this is another device that you can use at the classroom, but it is up to you to know how you will use it to get the best of it.