Document Cameras

My husband brought a document camera home and I was amazed. How many of us have wondered about overhead projectors that could project directly from a book, magazine, or other document? Well that is exactly what a document camera does.
What IS A DOCUMENT CAMERA?
Also called a docucam, digital overhead, or visual presenter, a document camera is connected to an LCD projector, captures the image of whatever is placed under its lense and projects it onto a screen so that it can be seen by the whole class.
HOW CAN THE DOCUMENT CAMERA BE USED?
The document cameras have so many uses. They can be used to help visual learners by magnifying text, making it easier to read. It can be used along with a microscope so that a science teacher can show a demonstration of using the microscope to everyone at once. Hands-on learners can be the ones to place objects or documents under the camera and explain what is being shown (let the student be the teacher). I think in these ways, the document camera could be a good motivator for students and might help keep them engaged in lessons that include the use of a document camera.
ADVANTAGES AND LIMITATIONS OF THE DOCUMENT CAMERA?
Document cameras are more versatile than overhead projectors. Teachers can not only show documents but they can show hands on examples which would be especially useful in a science class, for example. A science teacher can dissect a frog while the class watches on the document camera. They eliminate the need for transparancies because the camera projects just about anything placed under it. The camera even has zoom and highlighting capabilities. They cut down on the number of copies teachers will need; teachers can place one copy of a quiz or worksheet under the document camera and the whole class can see it. They take up very little space so they will be easy to store. Some limitations of the document camera are that it is limited to what size of document it can display, usally 8 1/2" x 11" area; it cannot be used in an area with no power; they need a projector with a screen or a monitor to display the images.
WHO IS THE AUDIENCE FOR THE DOCUMENT CAMERA?
When I use the document camera, my audience will be students and other teachers; however I can see this device being useful for anyone making a presentation.
LEARN MORE ABOUT DOCUMENT CAMERAS HERE:




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MY OPINION OF DOCUMENT CAMERAS
I am excited by document cameras and anxious to use one in my own classroom. I like the idea of not having to make transparencies and it seems like it will be easy to demonstrate techniques for my students. I can also see the benefit of using the document cameras to let students be the teacher; that will be good motivation for some students.