National Taiwan Normal University, Taiwan

A total of 4 teachers, 4 elementary school classes and 124 students participated in this study conducted by the National Taiwan Normal University. The study first focused on visualizers (document cameras) as a teaching aid for elementary school teachers. Teachers noted that the visualizers (document cameras) effectively reduced the time needed to prepare lessons. The visualizers (document cameras) also helped to diversify their lesson plans and teaching methods. And, the visualizers (document cameras) also helped clarify and enrich their teaching material.

As for the students, they felt that the visualizers (document cameras) motivated everyone to learn. The students became active participants, sharing their work with others. Students were willing to spend more time looking over classroom material. “I understood the teachers’ lecture because I could easily see the graphics. There was more discussion in class,” one student reported.

The results of the study showed that the students held very positive opinions about using the visualizers (document cameras) as a learning aid in the classroom. Around 83.3% of the students agreed that the visualizers (document cameras) helped them with learning, and 78.6% of the students pointed out that the visualizers (document cameras) improved their learning attitudes. In addition, 79.2% believed that using a visualizer (document camera) as a teaching aid in class was more effective compared to a classroom without one.

Finally, the study also revealed that when using a visualizer (document camera) as a teaching aid, a “student-centered” teaching strategy was more satisfying than a “teacher-centered” one. When a teacher chooses to use a visualizer (document camera) as a teaching aid, it is better to separate students into small groups and ask them to help each other, rather than trying to teach one big class as a whole.