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Visualizer
(a.k.a. Document Camera, or Elmo)
The
Visualizer allows you to project printed pages, 3D objects, or your
spontaneous notes to all students.
Use
a dark felt-tip pen when writing on the Visualizer;
we provide fine point Vis-a Vis pens that work well
Try
to write as neatly as possible
Avoid
traditional
clear, acetate transparencies if possible.
writing
with pencils or ball point pens
Laptops
While
both a PC and a Mac are available in our classroom, we can connect your
PC or Mac laptop to our podium and project it for on-site and distant
students. The screen resolution should be set no higher than 800 x 600.
VHS tapes
We can
show any standard VHS tape in the classroom and have
it be seen by students at a distance.
Hand you
tape to the operator at the beginning of class and say approx. when you
would like it and if it needs to be cued up to a specific point.
PowerPoint
Keep
PowerPoint slides and other documents uncluttered and easy to read.
Use sans serif fonts at 28 points or larger.
Some
distant students have said that 44 pt. type is the optimal size.
Five
lines per slide is a good rule of thumb.
Use
high contrast between background and text. Plain, pale backgrounds with
black text show up well on video as do deep colored backgrounds with
pale (but not white) text.
To be
safe have a border of 1.5" around your PP slides and printed graphics.
Television monitors curve an image at the edges, covering up about an
inch and a half on all sides.
Avoid
busy
backgrounds; thin fonts; outline fonts;
script fonts.
Web Sites
The
font size on many web sites is too small to be read clearly by students
in class, or at the distant sites. Both Internet Explorer and Netscape
have the ability to enlarge the font of web sites as you look at them.
Netscape
Click
on the View menu; click on Increase Font. You may have to do this
several times to make the type readable.
Internet
Explorer
Click
on the View menu; click on Text Size; choose Larger or Largest as
appropriate.
Excel,
Access and Word
These
programs are difficult to see when shown on a video monitor, or as part
of a video clip on a computer screen.
Enlarge
your fonts as much as possible when creating documents to show in
class
When pointing out specific parts of a document change Zoom to 200%
The
best option is to place documents on UBLearns (or a web site) a week
before class time. This will allow students to have a hard copy in
front of them for easy viewing during class
Special
considerations when teaching in Baldy Hall 200-G or Bell Hall 340-C
There
will always be a student or staff member in the control room acting as
technical director or operator for your class.
You need
to wear a microphone for your voice to be heard by distant students.
The operator
can hear you when you are wearing a mic.
If you
want to switch the projected view from the computer to the Vizualizer
simply tell operator and he/she will do so. It may take
a few seconds for the switch to occur.
The operator
will try to anticipate your needs, but it will take several sessions for
the op. to learn your style and expectations.
This is
your class - the operator is there to help you and may make suggestions,
but you are in charge. Take breaks when you like, have presentations and
exams when you'd like, we will work with you to make the class run the
way you would like it to run.
If you
need to cancel class at anytime, please let the operator know, or contact
the DEVO office at 645-6347 or devo@buffalo.edu.
The Baldy
Hall control room phone is 645-2850, the fax is 645-7983.
The Bell
Hall control room phone is 645-3797 x2165, there is no fax in Bell.
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Presentation
Tips for Video Distance Learning