With the advent of technology, we have got several aids to strengthen the English Teaching process. Among all the devices, the one which requires minimum of technical knowledge is OHP, or overhead projector.
In this article I am going to share some of the ways of using OHP for ELT.
The OHP is a small machine designed to project an image onto a small screen or whiteboard. If you have a screen, which can be placed above the whiteboard and pulled down accordingly, it will stop the glare. The materials we normally use with it are pens, which can either be permanent, or cleanable. In addition to these there are transparencies (OHT), which you can write or draw on, and a special type of transparency which a text or image can be photocopied onto. (Alan Finch, British Council Paris)
Why use OHP?
– It is cheaper option as compared to any other technology
– Use of OHP can reduce paper consumption to a great extent
– Use of OHP enables the teacher to provide students with the handouts of a lesson discussed
– Use of OHP reflects the well-preparedness of the teacher. Students can realize the effort put in by the teacher to prepare the transparencies
– Students’ work can be presented in the classroom. This can enable the teacher to correct the most common mistakes made by the students.
– Ready materials are available to teach grammar and other components of language. Also the materials can be used again and again.
– Having OHP in the classroom, a teacher can save a big amount of time (by not writing anything on the blackboard)
– Teacher can gain more control over the content of the topic.
– Teacher can also gain the control of the students with the help of such educational device.
– The use of OHP also allows a teacher to make available the images of whatever is taught to the class. This makes the process of teaching more lively and meaningful.
Be careful
– Know how to use OHP before taking it into a classroom. If possible, hold a mock session with your colleagues wherein you are using OHP.
– Make sure that the transperancies you are using are visible enough (keeping the number of students in mind)
– Use a pointer to describe important pointes from the transparencies
In the end, once again I would like to quote Alan Finch “The OHP is extremely practical and versatile as every classroom activity can be adapted for the OHP and even the worst technophobe can use it with confidence. Allowing you to have complete control of the class and holding your students’ attention, it is a useful tool for any teacher or indeed worthwhile purchase for any school which doesn’t have one. Finally, as global warming threatens to devastate our world, using the OHP can play more than a small part in saving paper, therefore trees, and the environment.”
Here are some links where you can get more information on OHP in an English classroom:
* http://www.eslprintables.com/printable.asp?id=178535