Document+Camera



Elmo: $799.00 Logitech web cam with microphone: ca. $25 Tripod: ca. $25 Creating something that works and is cheap: priceless

Classroom technology can contribute to student learning, but can also be costly. Here is a way to create a document camera using a webcam and a tripod.

Plug the webcam into the computer through a usb slot. The computer will automatically locate the software for the camera. Allow that to install.

Connect the webcam to a tripod, using a rubber band to hold it in place. You may have to turn the webcam around so that the image is rightsideup on the computer.

Check the resolution--typically this will be good enough that the projected image will have a sufficient amount of clarity. The software for the webcam will probably allow you to zoom in (as this software does).

Here is how this setup is actually better than an "official" document camera:

1. Cheaper by a huge amount. 2. Portable. 3. This will actually allow you to record a lesson so that if you make a demonstration using the document camera, absent students will be able to view that demonstration. If the webcam has a microphone, you can talk through your demonstration. Here is an example: media type="youtube" key="rADFf3x3F60" height="315" width="420"