Using Visualisers and Document Cameras

[markrobinson]

Promethean markets a range of excellent visualisation tools. These work in conjunction with the Activboard to make it into a true 'digital hub'.

http://www.Prometheanworld.com/uk/server/show/nav.1715


These offer a host of new teaching opportunities. The easiest is to simply place a worksheet or student work under the camera and annotate it on the Activboard using desktop annotate modes. This approach can also reduce the need to use scanners or digital cameras to quickly capture things for sharing on the IWB.

You can also use it to demonstrate delicate, practical activities such as demonstrating a painting or modelling technique in art and 'zoom into' the results to let the group see on the IWB.

Who else is using this level of technology that truly blends the best of past and future classroom interaction? Have you some ideas to share?

[saha]

I use a doc cam sold by Logical Choice, a Promethean reseller.

I use it for class discussion and annotation of student work.

I also use it for showing class demonstration of chemistry experiments.

The whole class can view demonstrations like color change, precipitation, crystallization comfortably by staying in their seats without gathering and crowding around the teacher.

[cappie]

Saha, I'm curious whether you have tried using the flipchart recorder in AS to record experiments and other activities while using the document cam?

[saha]

Hi carol,
No I have not used the flipchart recorder while using the doccam yet.
But it should be no different than recording normally without the doc cam.
Are you having any problems?

[cappie]

No problems - yet. That's because I don't have a doc cam - yet. But I've put in a request and maybe I'll get lucky for next year? I've used a borrowed document reader to show some reactions closeup and it was very effective for letting everyone get a good view of the entire reaction. But the document reader doesn't interface with the computer. Thanks for your response.

[tomerf]

Gautam and Carol,

Your messages about document cameras is very timely for me. My district is considering a large investment in them. I have no experience with them at all except reading about them on the Web. I am curious about the advantage they provide over, say, simply putting a digital camcorder on a tripod and connecting that to a computer with a projector. For the investment, a camcorder would seem to have more flexibility and allow for a broader use of technology. Perhaps there is something about the doc camera software or other features that I am not aware of. Would you mind sharing your thoughts? Thanks!

Tom

[Margaret Allen]

A few ideas I have seen:

Looking at children's work - just put it underneath the doc camera
Looking at something closely - leaves, materials, insects (not for too long though!)
A piece of text from a book
Detailed diagrams/layouts/information.

Having the doc camera hooked up means that within secs you can just "pop" something underneath... I think with other types of cameras as you suggest, yes they will allow for more creative use and perhaps seem more appropriate, but this would assume that it is always there...+wave+

Not sure if that helps.....anyone got anything to add to that?

[Dug]

I wrote a case study for Avermedia on our uses of their Avervision130 visualiser in all classes from YN - Y6 (K-12). Here are some extracts:
Advantages over using a scanner:


The ability to instantaneously ‘capture’ examples of text - children’s own or from picture books/novels (in conjunction with the Promethean IWB software) and present them to the whole class.
The fact that the visualiser will stream ‘real-time’ pictures through the IWB.
The ability to view 3-D items.
The ability to view and appraise multi-media artwork or even ‘wet’ artwork immediately it has been completed.
The ability to zoom in on details quickly and easily.
The ability to view ‘wildlife’ – minibeasts such as slugs, snails, beetles etc after nature trails.
Some of the most common uses in school are:



Capturing children’s work (art, sewing, writing, sculpture, etc) for annotation/appraisal.
Sharing of examples of excellence in whole-school assembly.
Sharing something that a child has brought in that morning (a swimming certificate, picture, photo etc) with the whole class.
Showing a particular ‘fine’ technique (sewing, knitting, joining [Design Technology] etc) to the whole class.
Displaying a worksheet for talking through/annotating prior to completion.
Displaying flowers/plants/animals as a stimulus for further work.
Displaying examples of artwork by famous artists.
As a webcam (in conjunction with desktop video capture application available with Promethean software).
We particularly like the way it has a flexible 'gooseneck' that allows you to easily manipulate the camera.

[markrobinson]

Thanks for the feedback so far....

You could improvise something with a webcam or video camera with a USB/Firewire connection... You can even use the MAC iSight Camera or a webcam and the free PhotoBooth software and AS/AP desktop annotate that if you are lucky enough to have one of the new MACs.. but the quality is not great for detail work.

A proper visualiser has many options and benefits... easy focussing, much higher resolution and colour quality, easy orientation, a built in light, zoom buttons, etc. Also if it was fixed equipment (unlike a Video Camera solution) it will likely lead to much more regular use.

[cappy]

Is this product available in the US? I couldn't find reference to it at the US site. Easily could have missed it though.

[LisaD]

I don't think that the US sells document cameras. But most of the Promethean resellers DO sell document cameras. Do you know who your reseller is?

Lisa

[Dug]

From my experience, light is a major consideration when deciding on a visualiser.
We initially tried one without the built-in light, thinking that we could sort out lighting 'on the cheap'. We tried clip on and angle-poise lights alongside the visualiser but soon realkised that there is a good reason for buying an in-built light unit (usually fitted to the head of the visualiser) - they definitely work best.

[Dug]

Just came across this:
http://www.ictvisualiser.co.uk/cgiscripts/forum/ikonboard.cgi
Looks very embyonic, but relevant.