Caswell is enthusiastic to show me a lesson on the Mexican peso crisis.  He begins highlighting key information in the word problems using the eBeam. Caswell looks for real life examples to teach his seventh graders how to analyze data, understand a graph, and work with percents.  “The eBeam opens up so many opportunities,” replies Caswell.  At the end of each class, Caswell posts the notes on his school website. He likes to teach his students responsibility; if they miss a class there are no excuses.

Caswell said the biggest challenge he faces in the classroom is motivating the children. “If I lose the kids, I can get them back with the eBeam.”  Caswell recalls a recent lesson on where the eBeam’s spontaneity allowed him to bring in an image of a pizza from the internet and discuss pizza toppings as it relates to possible outcomes.   “I take a lesson and turn it into a show,” says Caswell.  Just last month, Caswell added the Wacom Graphire 6×8 Bluetooth Tablet to his instruction which lets him teach from anywhere in the classroom.

Caswell’s advice for the new eBeam user:”start simple with a warmup at the beginning of the class.” Warmups at the start of each day, also known as bell work and early birds, are a great way to introduce the eBeam technology into the classroom.

When I mention an update for the eBeam Interact software for Mac is coming soon, Caswell shakes his head as if he can’t believe more features are on the way.  Looks like it is just the beginning of many more interactive shows for Jeff Caswell’s classroom.