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?
This would be an awesome addition to my classroom!
Very cool product to use in the classroom!
Thank you sharing this great find. I will have to look in to one.
This is so cool! Apparently I’ve been depriving myself, because I didn’t even know this was a thing! haha…I know right!
Thank you for sharing this great find
Cute document camera! Looks compact to take and use for remote learning.
I love how small this camera is and that there is no extra prep to using it, just put the items under the camera and off you go!!
This is such a cool camera that gives you a better option of presenting the lessons when you are teaching.
What a great idea! That is a very cool camera. I can see it being very useful during story time–so all the kids can see the book. Also when demonstrating how to do new tasks, so the kids can see it up close. I’d love to try it!!!
Love this! There are so many cool ways to use this!!