What is a Document Camera? A Document Camera (DC) is a visual presentation tool that anyone can use. DCs are easy to set up, as well. Simply connect the DC with a projector or monitor and just turn it on. All that’s left to do is to place the desired object under the camera. The image size can be enlarged or reduced. Such a simple tool for quick, everyday usage is gaining popularity very rapidly in classrooms around the world. At DDE, we have access to ActiView Cameras, which have additional features that work with our Promethean Boards. DCs provide visual clarity to instruction in many different ways. They aid in 3D visualization. By moving the camera around, you can look at three-dimensional items from different angles and perspectives in a way that all students can see.
How might I use a document camera in my classroom?
Some of these things can be done with the use of the Promethean Board and ActivInspire software, too!
Ø Show and Tell
Ø Science Experiments
Ø Zoom in on small items to see the details
Ø "Big Books" You can turn any book into a big book by placing it under the document camera
Ø Math manipulative demonstration, but definitely let the students use their own manipulatives, too!
Ø Demonstrating letter formation
Ø ABC tiles - let students come up and rearrange the tiles to create words
Ø Maps
Ø Photos and images
Ø Worksheets (ugh, if really necessary) - students can view you filling out the information instead of just listening
Ø Save images for later use. A classroom document camera connected to a computer can act as a scanner. Teachers can place items under the document camera and use them in class that day and "save" the image for future use.
Ø Save an image of what you did in class on the document camera to place on classroom websites. Parents can "see" what their children are learning throughout the day.
Ø Saved images can also be incorporated into PowerPoint Presentations and Windows Movie Maker to use in activities such as end of year programs, classroom review and back to school nights.
Ø Our document cameras can act as web-cameras for web-conferencing, too! Just turn them to face the class!
Ø Displaying student work
Ø Model note taking skills by using an actual piece of notebook paper.
Ø Model sentence and paragraph structure, punctuation and grammar editing
Ø Complete graphic organizers as a whole class
Ø Project a test for grading; students follow with their eyes and not just their ears
Ø Daily Oral Language – that isn’t already in digital format can be saved from year to year without writing it on the board each day
Ø Demonstrate how to use a calculator
Ø Show students how to set up math problems using notebook paper
Ø Math workbook pages
Ø Displaying and creating graphs
Ø Zoom in on small items to see the details - Use the "zoom" feature to see the small details
Ø Valuable items you may not want to put in the hands of students
Ø Overhead transparencies that you just can’t part with (you may need to put a white sheet of paper behind it)
Ø Pictures of historical places and events from a book or photo
Ø Let the student be the "teacher"
Ø Save an image of what you did in class on the document camera to place on classroom websites. Parents can "see" what their children are learning throughout the day.
*DDE Staff can view a flipchart that walks them through the features of the ActiView camera. The flipchart is located on S:/Staff/Promethean
*DDE Staff can view a flipchart that walks them through the features of the ActiView camera. The flipchart is located on S:/Staff/Promethean
*Click HERE to view a video about ActiView Cameras from Promethean.
What a versatile tool. How do we get access to the ones we have here at Davis Drive?
ReplyDeleteAmy Fenton
You can check one out from the media center/Tami. :o)
DeleteI knew document cameras were cool, but I didn't realize that you could do all of that with one. The first time I used one was in a university classroom. I was so thrilled because I didn't have an overhead and had to present something. I thought the document camera was just an overhead projector at first. Silly me.
ReplyDeleteI saw this is Becky Bray's room and was wondering what it was. Now I know. I think I might be able to use it in my classroom. What do I need to do?
ReplyDeleteJust check one out from the media center! :o) Go for it! Let Tami or I know if we can help.
DeleteThe ActiView can connect to a microscope and you can do time-lapse photos that could capture the growth of a plant :)
ReplyDeleteI may check one of those out as well. There are some things that would be great to be able to just put it underneath instead of scanning. Especially with last minute great ideas.
ReplyDeleteAmy K
I used one last year during EOG review. Instead of copying or scanning EOG review sheets to display, I just put it under the camera. It worked good...more user error in figuring out how to move the paper (kind of like figuring out an overhead machine), but all in all it was great!
ReplyDelete~Kara
I use the document camera for reading stories to the students. It's also great to demonstrate uisng manipulatives.
ReplyDeleteWouldn't it be neat to watch animal behavior in a mini aquarium or terrarium?
ReplyDeleteAlso, what about using it for novel work? The kids can watch you highlight vocabulary, nouns, verbs, etc. in the teacher copy of the book.
I heard that one teacher used it to focus the camera on the kids that were demonstrating good work habits. The kids loved it!
I use mine for read alouds but I also use it as an overhead. I project the paper that the class is doing on the board then I use the button in ActivInspire that lets me write on my desktop (or in this case the page being projected) so we can fill it out as a class to check our work or circle our word family words etc. ~Nichole
ReplyDeleteI LOVE this camera! Not only do I love it, but so do the kids.. They are sooo excited when I use it. I used it today for going over math problems and for a science experiement.
ReplyDelete