A Complete Guide on Document Cameras Along with Some Best Ideas to Use
Document cameras or visualizers are a great innovation that helped in revolutionizing the education system. It has become a popular tool for teaching online courses. Some people may think, “ What is a document camera?” You may call it an updated version of a projector to solve this confusion.
You can use it with ease. The only thing you have to do is set up the visualizer and direct it towards your documents. This article will discuss different ideas, features, and a step-by-step guide for purchasing document cameras in detail.
Still in confusion about the document camera?
Let me clear the function of the document camera once again in a single sentence, “ An easy and reliable way of learning resources online.” I hope there is no more confusion now.
For example, if you are a student, it’ll make you feel that you are in the classroom with your teacher. It’ll not make your online class boring. The best thing is that it works beyond the feeling of being in the same room, and the teacher can use different methods to explain complicated topics. For example, geography teachers can use maps, etc. Furthermore, it acts as a scanner and a webcam too.
Where to Use Document Cameras
You can use document cameras at various places, but here is a list of a few places where you will find its use necessary.
● Schools or colleges
● Science laboratories
● Remote video broadcasting
● During presentations
● Company training sessions
● Broadcast studios
Things to consider when buying a document camera
Consider the following factors before buying a document camera.
● Compatibility: Make sure to check the compatibility of your document camera with your computer.
● Mobility: A portable camera will work best for you when you need to take a document camera on trips or from room to room during lectures.
● Lenses: Consider cameras with an optical zoom lens for clarity, and some also offer microscope attachment options.
● Webcam: To use your camera as a video camera, take the camera with a flexible neck that allows you to take pictures from a 360-degree angle.
● Whiteboard: Make sure your camera is compatible and has a USB plug to connect it to a whiteboard.
● Rotation: If you want to show your audience the whirling of objects, then make sure it captures and rotates the objects.
● Light: Most often, cameras work best in dim light, but if you need light, it is best to buy a document camera that comes with a light source attached to it.
● Cost: Your budget also matters, so make sure you get the best camera and don’t have to compromise on your budget.
Options of Document Cameras:
There is a large variety of document cameras that come with different features, functions, and qualities.
● Wi-Fi enabled
● Different quality of cameras and sensors
● Lenses to zoom ineffectively
● Mobility
● Scanner feature
● USB and HDMI ports
● Microphone feature
● Supplement lights and lighting systems
● Simple or high complex optical systems
● Webcam feature
● Storage device compatibility
● Auto or manual focus
You can get a document camera with these features here.
How to set up a document camera
It is simple to use, like charging a mobile phone. After unfolding and powering up, it is ready to use. Just aim the camera head straight down on anything. It does connect with computer or video conference services.
Ideas of using Document cameras
Class management
It can help you in class management. You can write to-do lists and daily schedules that remain visible for the lesson. Math problems, step-by-step project plans, and brainstorming are all enhanced by using a cam.
Science is now easy to understand
These visualizers are most beneficial for science subjects as you can easily demonstrate scientific terms.
Like demonstration of a pattern of petals or frog’s dissection or explanation of human skeleton or in geography, we can use geo maps, and there are various other examples of this.
Excellent communication skills
When you use doc cam to share work and solve the problem. It gives students the chance to stand up and talk about everything. It encourages students to participate in the discussion and ultimately improves their presentation skills of the students. Believe it or not, but it is a fact.
You can boost their confidence by Recording their work and presentation skills on the document camera at the start of the school year. Then Record again at the end of the year to show them their phenomenal growth.
Another way to boost their confidence is to use doc cam as a webcam and arrange debates and other exciting events.
A demonstration is better than an explanation
Technology is advanced now, and document cameras give you the power to demonstrate complicated topics, As it solves students' queries in no time. It makes tricky calculators easy to use.
Quizzes can be a fun activity
By using the document camera, you can show students paintings or other physical objects. After that, you can play a game under the document camera to teach students. It allows you to review quizzes and tests at the moment.
An easy gateway to global communication
You can communicate with students, scientists around the globe via Skype or zoom and can enhance the interaction and interests of students in learning more and more.
Demonstrate the good and weak points in writing
You can use the document camera to put student writing under the document camera and then point out the good and weak points. And it can also help in proofreading.
Record videos
You can also use a document camera as a webcam. And can record the speeches of students and your lectures.
Expensive books are no more a problem
Some books are expensive, and every student can’t afford them. So, you can use a doc scanner. And every student can get access to that book.
Document Camera or whiteboard?
What if you do not have an interactive whiteboard? You can use doc cam to project writing papers, graph paper, or any other projects.
A blessing for low vision students
It becomes extremely tough for students with low vision to follow along with the rest of the class. You can set up the camera and zoom in and out the lecture slides using this visualizer.
Displaying handouts develops an interest
When you use a visualizer to show graphics as a class activity, it engages students. They become more enthusiastic and focus on learning new things.
Conclusion
I believe that now the confusions regarding document cameras are no more and you have chosen your required camera. It is indeed a great innovation to accommodate students, teachers, and individuals in their workplace.
It will save you time and will help you display small objects to a large audience. If you have not bought a document camera yet, then check out some best-advanced technology document cameras.
During the pandemic, these cameras got popular. And people realized the versatility of these tools although, document cameras have been around for quite a while.
