Tuesday, April 19, 2016

Not Just a Glorified Overhead

Many classrooms in the district are now home to a handy little technology tool-
the document camera. 


The models of the cameras vary from room to room, but the basic functions are the same. Most project, zoom, take pictures, record video, and some have a light function. Here are some engaging ways to get the most out of your document camera in the classroom:

  • Read alouds-turn any book into a "big book" under the doc camera
  • Utilize math manipulatives
  • Science experiments/demonstrations
  • Demonstrate an app
  • Show a piece of music
  • Demonstrate how to set up interactive notebooks/how to take notes
  • Let students be the teachers and explain how to solve a problem
  • Show art work or projects
  • Demonstrate dictionary skills
  • Show-and-tell on the big screen
  • Zoom in on rulers
  • Project graph paper
  • Display student work
  • Take and save a picture of student work to save for use with later classes and/or posting on a class website
  • Take photos of other items/documents and save image for later use
  • Record video-Work out a problem, narrate a demonstration, etc and add to your website or upload to YouTube. Perfect for students who are absent.
If you don't have a document camera in your classroom and think it would be something you would use, let a tech coach know. We will find one for you to try out! 

What other ways are you using a document camera in your classroom? Post below and let us know!
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5 comments:

  1. AnonymousApril 20, 2016 at 7:00 AM

    I tried to comment but it wouldn't publish. I am going to try this before I type all that over again.

    ReplyDelete
  2. AnonymousApril 20, 2016 at 7:04 AM

    Hello Amanda!!! I figured out how to publish! Now for my question.... Do you know if the camera you have posted in the first picture has a light? That is the camera I currently have and when I turn the lights off in my room the image goes black. It is much easier to see on my board with the lights off.... Any suggestions?? If it does.... how do I use it??
    Thanks!!!
    Gina Fox

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Amanda VollmerApril 20, 2016 at 12:00 PM

      Hi Gina. It looks like the model you have does not come with the light feature. I was thinking about how to troubleshoot this...what about using a little book light to shine on whatever you have under the document camera? That might be something to try!

      Delete
  3. UnknownApril 21, 2016 at 4:41 AM

    I used one for piano class while back. It worked great. The kids could see my hands on the piano, but only on a small TV screen. I am working on getting a larger screen or Promethean Board.

    Question: Do they make WIRELESS document cameras? That would totally be the best thing to walk around the room and show other pianos and technique. Plus the chords got in the way of the piano.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Amanda VollmerMay 3, 2016 at 12:00 PM

      They do make wireless document cameras, but they are definitely more expensive...an idea for DonorsChoose maybe???

      Delete

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