Document+Camera+&+LCD+Projector

=I love my Document Camera and LCD Projector.= =

= =If you incorporate any technology in the classroom, a Document Camera and LCD Projector are two musts.= = = =My document camera is a DIY system using a camcorder mounted to microphone stand. I built a box to hold the projector underneath to save table space. The box is a personal need being that it is placed on my Science cart as I wheel it from classroom to classroom.= = = =If you have an old camcorder with audio video jacks (RCA) to fit an LCD projector, you will only spend about $80 for the mount. A little more if you need a converter to connect the camcorder to the LCD Projector.= = = =Prices of LCD projectors have come down and most are available through grants. Epson has a LCD projector teacher pricing guide that takes off about 15%. I bought my second LCD projector for $729 instead of $900. ( I transferred to a new school and had to leave my school grant projector behind.)= = = =My students outscored the district in Science and I believe it was due to the use of my homemade Document Camera and LCD Projector. We had classrooms with high ceilings so I could project on an area of 20 x 20 feet. All manipulatives, graphic organizers, reading materials, etc were available to be seen by everyone at the same time. I was also able to show the experimental procedure to the whole class without traveling among smaller groups of students.=

=Document Camera Background= =A document camera is a device originally consisting of a camera mounted facing down to photograph documents and graphics. When connected to a television or projector, whatever actions on a table that occurred in the camera viewing area were shown regardless to whether the camera was actually taking a photo. In other words, think of an overhead projector that does not need transparencies.=



=Document Camera Uses=

Preschool - Primary Grades Classroom Document Camera Ideas

 * ==Show and Tell==
 * ==Science Experiments==
 * ==Zoom in on small items to see the details==
 * =="Big Books" - Big books are expensive. You can turn any book into a big book by placing it under the document camera==
 * ==Math manipulatives==
 * ==Place a timer under the document camera to help with time management.==
 * ==Picture schedule. Place a picture schedule under the document camera. Turn the classroom document camera and projector on when it's time to transition to the next activity and show the students what the next activity will be. "We just finished centers (show picture of "centers" on the schedule), now it's time for math (show schedule picture that represents "math")==
 * ==Demonstrating letter formation==
 * ==ABC tiles - let students come up and rearrange the tiles to create words==
 * ==Maps==
 * ==Photos and images==
 * ==Worksheets - students can view you filling out the information instead of just listening==
 * ==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.==
 * ==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.==
 * ==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.==

Intermediate/Middle School Classroom Document Camera Ideas

 * ==Place a timer under the document camera to help with time management.==
 * ==Displaying student work==
 * ==Model note taking skills by using an actual piece of notebook paper.==
 * ==Model sentence and paragraph structure, punctuation and grammar editing==
 * ==Worksheets such as study guides or daily assignments. Fill out the worksheet with the students.==
 * ==Complete graphic organizers as a whole class==
 * ==Project a test for grading; students follow with their eyes and not just their ears==
 * ==Daily Oral Language - can be saved from year to year without writing it on the board each day==
 * ==Math Manipulatives such as compass, ruler, thermometer, base ten blocks, etc==
 * ==Demonstrate how to use a calculator==
 * ==Show students how to set up math problems using notebook paper==
 * ==Math workbook pages==
 * ==Displaying and creating graphs==
 * ==Science experiments==
 * ==Dissections==
 * ==Zoom in on small items to see the details==
 * ==Maps==
 * ==Small items. Use the "zoom" feature to see the small details==
 * ==Valuable items you may not want to put in the hands of students==
 * ==Overhead transparencies (you may need to put a white sheet of paper behind it)==
 * ==Pictures of historical places and events from a book or photo==
 * ==Art pictures or projects==
 * ==Let the student be the "teacher"==
 * ==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.==
 * ==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.==
 * ==Saved images can also be incorporated into PowerPoint Presentations and Windows Movie Maker==

High School Classroom Document Camera Ideas

 * ==Place a timer under the document camera to help with time management.==
 * ==Bell ringers or exit slips (activities for the students to do as they are coming into class or right before they leave)==
 * ==Model writing skills, editing, revising==
 * ==Worksheets such as study guides or daily assignments. Can be filled out as a classroom activity.==
 * ==Complete graphic organizers as a whole class==
 * ==Display textbooks==
 * ==Reference books==
 * ==Math manipulatives such as rulers, compass, algebra tiles, geometric figures==
 * ==Model how to use a calculator==
 * ==Graph paper==
 * ==Model setting up and steps for solving math problems==
 * ==Science experiments==
 * ==Dissections==
 * ==Microscope==
 * ==Science worksheets==
 * ==Science manipulatives==
 * ==Model chemistry problems, solving physics formulas==
 * ==Zoom in on small items to see the details==
 * ==Social Studies maps==
 * ==Resource material you may only have one of or do not want to put in the hands of students==
 * ==Historical items==
 * ==Art projects==
 * ==Displaying student work==
 * ==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.==
 * ==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.==
 * ==Saved images can also be incorporated into PowerPoint Presentations and Windows Movie Maker.==

==Document cameras like the Elmo above go for $600 and up. You can use a digital camera or camcorder mounted down? You most likely have one or can purchase one at far less and have superior optics and features. You still have the option to use the camera and camcorder as a camera or camcorder to document classroom activities. The mounting hardware for my camcorder cost in the vicinity of $50. My Panasonic Camcorder cost me in the area of $180 and has a 10x optical zoom. I still use the camcorder as a camcorder when not mounted as a document camera.==