Visualisers Guide

Visualisers Explained




Exploring Visualisers

A visualiser (also called a document camera) is a high pixel digital camera on a flexible arm which allows you to connect to any PC, interactive whiteboard and projector to display any type of material. A visualiser captures images of text, 3D objects, transparencies and microscope slides and just about anything else you can think of. Instantly, you can show images to your students, or record and save images to be used for all the class to see.
Visualisers have become very popular in schools in all areas of the curriculum and is the perfect accessory to your interactive whiteboard and projector. Show items to your whole class on your interactive whiteboard without the need for a scanner. Use a visualiser for bringing a story book to life by showing the pictures and words on a large scale, demonstrate handwriting technique to the whole class, or simply sharing a child's work with the whole class.
Having a visualiser in the classroom or science lab means no more crowding round a desk to watch a demonstration or observe an object. It is a tool that will save you hours of preparation time looking for material, clipart, content from the internet, etc. Furthermore, teachers using visualisers have saved their schools a fortune on photocopier costs.

Twelve ways that visualisers are creating a revolution in Schools

(extract from the visualiser forum)
  1. Instantly share resources for all to see and outcomes of pupils work to celebrate success - e.g. celebration assemblies, show-and-tell activities.
  2. 'Zoom' into natural/manmade objects that can be studied in minute detail. e.g. minibeasts, parts of a plant, historical artefacts, maps etc.
  3. Share texts expanding knowledge of different writing styles, punctuation, grammar, sentence construction etc
  4. Model accurate use of tools including rulers, protractors, measuring cylinders, brushwork, needlework, saws etc.
  5. Peer-assess individual and group progress comparing against success criteria.
  6. Create ePortfolios of evidence of learning by capturing images of pupils work e.g. Foundation Stage Profiles.
  7. Use with an interactive touch screen or interactive whiteboard to annotate images of pupils work, artefacts and live objects.
  8. Capture video demonstrations of activities to playback and share on the interactive whiteboard and across a network/managed learning environment.
  9. Create stopframe animations by taking a series of snapshot images.
  10. Cut preparation time with no need to photocopy or scan. Share documents in staff/governing body/parental meetings.
  11. Present demonstrations to the whole-class/groups without crowding.
  12. Assist sight impaired pupils with larger visuals for them to see.

Manufacturers and types of education visualisers

We are authorised education reseller partners for all leading manufacturers including Genee, Elmo, Hovercam, Lumens and Optoma and we only offer visualiers that meet the following criteria :

  • Ease of Use
  • Good Warranty and after sales support from the manufacturers
  • Build quality and reliability
  • Must represent good value

Main types of education visualisers

1. Flexible Neck (also called Gooseneck) Visualisers
2. Mechanical (also called Rigid arm) Visualisers
3. Platform Visualisers
4. Wireless Visualisers
For technical features such as zoom size, connectivity, etc., please browse the individual features and PDF brochures that are on our site.
Alternatively please call our sales team and we will help you choose the most appropriate visualiser for your school. Further bulk purchase discounts may be available on certain models.