What is a document camera?
It's a camera on a stick or tripod and attached to your computer or projector. Many come with software for writing and recording the lesson on the computer but I am not sure how many teachers actually use those features. the recording part is great. The lesson can be saved for students who were absent. Or play the video when some one wakes up and asks what they missed :) Doc Cams are NOT just for doc(ument)s. ANYTHING you want to show you can show on the 8 foot screen. As long as you can point the camera at it! It is a camera after all! This includes a student doing an oral report or presentation, insects, simple machines, pottery... Document Cameras (many of the ones we have at our school anyway) cost $400 - $600. Yes they have come a lot in price. We also have a few $75 ones. We "Have" this Document camera, and this one.
Why are they so expensive?
They are great cameras and can zoom in close with a macro. They show crystals in rocks very well - BUT do you need that? The software is also very powerful for recording and editing your presentation. Have you ever used it?
It's a camera on a stick or tripod and attached to your computer or projector. Many come with software for writing and recording the lesson on the computer but I am not sure how many teachers actually use those features. the recording part is great. The lesson can be saved for students who were absent. Or play the video when some one wakes up and asks what they missed :) Doc Cams are NOT just for doc(ument)s. ANYTHING you want to show you can show on the 8 foot screen. As long as you can point the camera at it! It is a camera after all! This includes a student doing an oral report or presentation, insects, simple machines, pottery... Document Cameras (many of the ones we have at our school anyway) cost $400 - $600. Yes they have come a lot in price. We also have a few $75 ones. We "Have" this Document camera, and this one.
Why are they so expensive?
They are great cameras and can zoom in close with a macro. They show crystals in rocks very well - BUT do you need that? The software is also very powerful for recording and editing your presentation. Have you ever used it?
What's my point?
No one really needs a $500 document camera anymore when you have a $500 iPad and some free or cheap apps! You do however need a stand and cable. Here is the set-up. As with many things... there are options. None of it free but your Media Center or tech person can (might be able to) help fund it and set it up.
Required (Let me know what you want - I have a few of them)
Option 1 - Plug into another VGA port.
In our new building we have two wall plates (hookups) that go to the projector. (Front and back of the classroom) If you do this you change your projector input from computer 1 to 2 or vice-versa.
In our new building we have two wall plates (hookups) that go to the projector. (Front and back of the classroom) If you do this you change your projector input from computer 1 to 2 or vice-versa.
Option 2 - Un-plug an plug-in
Unplug your computer form the wall port that your computer is plugged in to and plug in your iPad (VGA/Dongle) cord into it. Assuming you can get to your wall plate!
Unplug your computer form the wall port that your computer is plugged in to and plug in your iPad (VGA/Dongle) cord into it. Assuming you can get to your wall plate!
Option 3 - A/B switch box
Both your computer and iPad are plugged into this box and you simply switch from A to B to show one or the other on the screen.
Both your computer and iPad are plugged into this box and you simply switch from A to B to show one or the other on the screen.
Option 4 - Go Wireless
Use an Apple TV or the Reflector application (via AirPlay) to display your iPad on the screen. While this seems like the best option since you can also move about the room it is totally relying on the wireless and has some lag time. See my other page about this.
Use an Apple TV or the Reflector application (via AirPlay) to display your iPad on the screen. While this seems like the best option since you can also move about the room it is totally relying on the wireless and has some lag time. See my other page about this.
Apps to use (click the icons)
After it is set up all you need is an app. While you could use ANY app to show on the screen remember this is about Document Cameras! So here are a few to use. As always - YES, there are others. What makes it a document camera app is the camera and then then the ability to draw on the iPad and record the lesson. Sure you could just use the camera on Video and record what you do under the camera but these apps have added features. There are free versions of both apps but these are worth the price! I have codes for them if you would like one. Just ask...
Board Cam -
Made by some dude who needed it. (Not a name brand) I have suggested this one for a few years now because it was the only one I could find! It works well.
Made by some dude who needed it. (Not a name brand) I have suggested this one for a few years now because it was the only one I could find! It works well.
Stage -
Made by Belkin and has the backing of the backing of name branding. Also I think this app is a little more intuitive and easier to use.
Made by Belkin and has the backing of the backing of name branding. Also I think this app is a little more intuitive and easier to use.
Sure there is some getting used to this but in the long run... after a few times using it... I do believe you will like the feeling of using your iPad more productively.
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