The Document Camera Duh.

With the expectation of seamlessly transitioning between virtual learning and face to face, educational stakeholders (Read it ALL people) often are searching for different equipment and ways to make it easier and more engaging.  On top of that, my district has us teaching in dual modality environment most of the time "pivoting" is paramount to a strong lesson.   What do we use?  How do we use it?   Is it just a repurposing of learning or is it extending the lesson?  Or is the hardware yet another bell and whistle that is being thrown at us to "make our experience easier. "  Instead of telling everyone to shut up lets take a close look at how a document camera fits into a K-12 teachers life.  

Document Camera, Visualizer, Presenter 

Simply put a document camera  (Doc Cam)is a device that replaces an overhead projector and enables showing items such as hard copy documents,  physical items or even visuals connected to another device such as a microscope.   It can enable shared experiences and inspection as it can magnify items.    There are many different  doc cams out there at varying price points and abilities.   In 2020 my school issued computer had no built in camera for virtual learning so after a lengthy search, I landed on the hue pro document camera.   It would allow me to show my face during class and once I got more comfortable with it, I found that the uses were endless.   

Some features that you might be excited to use are:

• Zoom features
• Light and HD capabilities to allow for detail work
• Maneuverability 
• Scanning and Recording (with software components)

Assessment, RAT model 

Dr. Hughes' RAT model  breaks down assessment  in 3 major categories  Replacement, Amplification and Transformation.   

So elegant and simple which  makes it accessible to all teachers.   

Replacement

Doc Cams have replaced overhead projectors and even white boards by allowing the educator to work from a central location to provide a augmented view of writing and presenting content on the board.  They have the ease in real time to be interacting with the class and modeling/showing whatever  is the focus of that lesson.  A 3rd grade teacher, Anna Manley from WA state, uses the document camera to present a math lesson on adding to show her work and model the process in different ways.   I have used the document camera to simply both show my face on virtual learning due to lack of function with my school issued hardware.   

Amplification

Instead of having to circulate and demonstrate at tables one on one or in small groups, doc cams allow for more intricate experimentation either face to face or virtually.  In teaching design and script analysis with middle school I often find that I need more than just the white board  when teaching how to notate stage movement in a script.   It takes visual and up close component that simply scanning a page will not do.  Using a zoom component and lights that my doc cam has allows me to show scale and work alongside the student even if they are across a screen.   I can help them make adjustments such as placement of furniture or color choice in real time also allowing for both one on one and group which is such a time saver.   That efficiency places the focus on the creativity of the lesson instead of the mechanics.  

Transformation 

Visual Art Teacher Elise Hurley was nervous when virtual teaching became a norm.  "How am I supposed to  focus on the art of shading or the nuance of sculpting when I am separated from my students by a camera.   Yes we can create videos but they only do so much."  Visual Art is such a hands on experience modeling and partnering are key elements of most lessons.   Hurley began experimenting and found Doc cameras have changed the way she works with her art class.  Color and scale are important so finding a doc cam that has high resolution as well as more complex functions were important to her lessons.  Even in a virtual setting she was able to teach sculpting and painting using her document camera.   What was once a only for virtual now is a mainstay in the classroom being used with every unit she covers.   It allows for students to see techniques at different angles and when students have them as well, allows for immediate feedback.  She also records her demonstrations so her students who might have missed the lesson can look back.  

Over all a doc cam is a strong piece of hardware that could be used in classrooms and libraries alike.  The most important component is the teacher themselves.  Those willing to experiment and innovate will  be working in the Transformative and Augmentation categories.  So it really comes down to they way you will use this hardware.   

To help brainstorm and begin to think about how you can use your doc cam  (or change the way you use it)  Tim Dolan  has some great suggestions in his video.   

Tips.  Dr. Monica Burns runs and ed tech blog that I follow and she offers her tips in this article.  Though she focuses on a specific brand of doc cam she offers some transformative suggestions for student use.