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 is a great tool for the classroom. With 36 students I am sure they will all be able to see using this camera and he smartboard.
This is such a cool product! Would love to try it out in my classroom.
I would love the chance to win this document camera! It would be SO helpful for my virtual learners especially. Thanks so much for the consideration!!!!
Wow, this camera is great. It will make my documentation much easier and I can use while reading so all the little ones will be able to see the pictures. Thanks for this opportunity. Eileen
I had no idea you could get portable ones! This is so cool! I teach elementary sped and we are all about visuals. This would be amazing!
What a great opportunity!! I’ve always wanted one of these! Thank you for the chance to win!!
This would make story time so much easier, everyone could see the pictures at once!
This woud be great for my classroom!
This would be awesome to have in my prek class to show books and other things to my students
Good document cameras are such an asset. I would love o e to use in my classroom.