Picture the scene--a child in a class has brought in a fabulous example of a snake skin, a snail, a seed, a fossil or rock and the whole class wants to see it. How does a teacher allow them all to observe it without destroying it or jostling each other? One way to get around this issue is to use a visualiser. A visualiser is essentially a small video camera that is connected directly to a data projector or to a computer and produces real-time images on a screen. They are also called "document cameras" by some manufacturers. The camera is typically mounted on an arm about 30 cm above the desk, pointing downwards. Any object or document placed below the camera is projected up onto the screen for the whole class to see. In this article, the author illustrates how a visualiser could be an essential piece of equipment for the primary classroom. (Contains 4 figures and 3 online resources.)