Learning and Teaching

Visualisers in the Classroom - Bringing Learning to Life at Lysterfield Primary School

Across Lysterfield Primary School, visualisers are becoming an essential tool for teaching and learning. You may have heard your child mention the “camera on the desk” or seen photos of lessons projected onto the screen. These devices allow teachers to display books, student work and materials in real time, giving every child a front-row seat to the learning process.

Visualisers support a teaching approach known as live modelling. Instead of only showing a finished example, teachers can demonstrate each step as they think aloud -solving a maths problem, forming letters in handwriting, annotating a text or planning a piece of writing. Students watch the exact movements and decisions their teacher makes, using the same materials they have in front of them. This makes expectations clear and reduces confusion about what successful work looks like.

For our students, this has powerful benefits. Seeing learning unfold step-by-step helps students focus on one idea at a time and keeps working memory from becoming overloaded. They can notice details that are hard to explain with words alone, such as how to use a protractor, set out a page, or edit a sentence. Visualisers also allow teachers to share student work instantly - celebrating excellent examples, discussing common mistakes and giving feedback that everyone can learn from.

Teachers value visualisers because they make lessons more responsive. While modelling, a teacher can pause to ask questions, invite predictions or adjust their explanation based on what students say. The technology supports our school’s commitment to high-quality, evidence-based instruction: clear explanations, regular checking for understanding and active participation from all learners.

At Lysterfield Primary, visualisers are used in many areas of the curriculum. You might see them during spelling demonstrations, maths procedures with concrete materials, shared reading of picture books, or when teachers and students co-create writing. They are also helpful for demonstrating classroom routines and for providing feedback on mini whiteboards or worksheets.

Most importantly, visualisers help create a shared learning experience. Every student can see, think and talk about the same example at the same time, which builds confidence and independence. As we continue to strengthen our instructional practices, this simple piece of technology is making a significant difference, helping our teachers teach with clarity and our students learn with understanding.

We look forward to seeing how visualisers continue to enhance learning at Lysterfield Primary School throughout the year.

Have a wonderful weekend,

Zahra Harvey | Learning Specialist