The overhead projector is the teacher's best friend in the classroom. This lightbox and mirror apparatus has singlehandedly saved many of my weakest lessons. When I find that I can't explain a concept as well as I wished to, I call up a few students to the overhead and have them brainstorm their ideas for the whole class to see. This break from the normal lecture mode engages the students and frees me for a few minutes to retool my strategies and methodologies to fit my instructional objectives. I use it as a creative time out.
Certainly, I make lots of transparencies to demonstrate a concept. If we're looking at the circulatory system, then I can blow up a diagram of the heart and use red and blue overhead markers to illustrate the path of blood flow through the heart and lungs. Using the overhead helps me engage visual learners and reinforce the concepts of my lecture.
Once in a great while, there will be a flash and a burning smell coming from your overhead. It's time to change the bulb. Wait a few minutes before changing the bulb to let it cool down. Read all of the instructions carefully. Before you buy your own, check with a secretary to see if they have any spare bulbs in the office. Those things are expensive!
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