Document+cameras

I believe document cameras could benefit students and teachers. Teachers could create numerous amounts of visuals for students. All teachers use visuals now, but document cameras can make small scale visuals accessible to all students in the classroom. I don't know how many times I have tried to demonstrate science experiments, show step by step directions, or use math manipulatives and the students in the front row were the only ones who got the full effect of the visual. Document cameras can make virtually any text or 3-D object available to all students in the classroom.
 * Document Cameras**

One subject area I could see myself using document cameras in everday is mathematics. Mathematics education today emphasizes communication and explanation. What better way to get students to project their work using the document camera? Students would be enthusiastic to use the technology to show their own thinking. Teachers and students alike could use document cameras to explain their thinking through manipulatives. Overheads just don't always cut it. Instead of plastic of overhead transparency currency, we could manipulate real coins. When teaching students to find volume, I could show them actual 3-D cubes using the document camera. Debbie Tschirgi led a program called the Sustainable Classroom Project in which teachers were taught the instructional value of document cameras. She explained that the program was created to "develop a replicable classroom model of technology integration that is sustainable and supports research-based instructional strategies" (Brooks-Young, 2007, p. 2). Teachers who infused document cameras into their instruction found several benefits. They were able to devote more time to discussion of student work and thought processes. They also increased the number of students sharing and explaining their work.

Another content area document cameras could provide benefit in is reading. What better way to turn a picture book into a big book than through a document camera? Text could become visible to all students in the classroom, not just the lucky ones in the front row! Text, illustrations and text features could be seen by all students in the classroom, making modeling of comprehension strategies and think aloud strategies that much stronger!

Students can become the teachers and use document cameras in their presentations. Currently, I have students give me the page ahead of time and I make overheards for them. With document cameras, that step would be eliminated. Students could just bring whatever they need for their presentation and use it. Students would be more willing to do their own presenations this way because it would be easier for them and me!!