Document Camera for the Classroom
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links to Amazon.
Not too long ago, I bought a portable document camera to try out. I have to say…it’s so great!
I didn’t have anything like this when I was teaching, but I know that it’s very common for classrooms to have something similar. A lot of document cameras work with your laptop and projector so you can share pictures, books, science demonstrations, or whatever else with your students!
Here’s how it works:
- Connect the document camera to your computer or projector. The HUE HD Pro Document camera made that a breeze! I simply plugged it into the USB port on my computer and it was ready to go. I didn’t even have to download any software to my computer.
- Since I use a Mac, I opened up QuickTime to use the camera. Windows Camera would also work.
- Then I just placed an item underneath the camera and a larger version appeared on my laptop. If I was in the classroom, I would hook this up to the projector so a bigger picture would be shown to students.
The point of this camera is to show close-ups to students. I’m sure you all know that feeling when you’re trying to show the whole class something, but not everyone can see. This solves that problem!
Ideas for the Classroom
- Show science demonstrations
- To show students words or pictures in a book
- Explain math problems with manipulatives
- Show & Tell items
- Demonstrate how to write alphabet letters or numbers
- Model how to do an activity
- Show concepts of print from a book
- Display students’ work
You can also use this for virtual learning!
I love that this document camera allows you to take snapshots or even videos of what you’re demonstrating under the camera. The neck is adjustable so you can position it however you’d like.
Here are some other features of this camera:
- built-in microphone
- auto-focus
- manual zoom
- can be used for video chat
This is really a cool addition to any classroom!
How would you use a document camera in the classroom?
I would love to have this! I love showing my students real life versions of things (our next unit is Tools & Machines, so like screws, nuts, bolts, etc) rather than printer our pictures blown up. This would be amazing!
I would like to win this to make demonstrations easier.
Love it!
I’m adding this to Christmas list.
This would be amazing when creating MCAS Alt Portfolios.
This is so much cooler than the giant, clunky one I had in my classroom. I loved to project the book I was reading aloud so everyone could see the pictures easily. I had to take some time off during the pandemic, but I would love to have this when I get back in the classroom.
I would like to win because this would be a great tool for the classroom!
Wow! A modern projector. Very cool!
A good tool for the classroom
This is a teaching game changer😊
This camera would be so helpful in my classroom! 🤞🏽