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Getting Resourceful: At-home Document Camera

While weā€™re setting up for virtual learning, weā€™ll be sharing tips and hacks to create resources.

A beloved classroom tool is the document camera, used for showing students how to work out math problems, make scientific observations, model experiments, drawing tutorials and so much more.

DIY Document Camera
To recreate this tool, youā€™ll need an elevated flat surface with a hole and a device.  After many tests, cooling rack on something high is by far the best setup!



(Cooling rack, two cardboard boxes)

(Food boxes, cutting board...very shadowy!)

*The higher the platform, the wider the shot


What next?
Once youā€™ve recorded, upload to whatever platform you are using with students (Canvas, Google Classroom, Google drive, etc) or YouTube (teachers have a YouTube channel associated with your Google account)
Video Tips:
-Use your device video editing tools to turn off sound, edit lighting or crop.
-App-smash to do more with your video (Example: play the video on your computer and screencastify to provide instruction, screen share in zoom and play the pre-recorded video while you chat with students so you donā€™t have to multi-task, upload to iMovie to add captions or voice-over)

Other Tips:
-The Thinkpad camera is great to record yourself, but mirrors all of the writing, so not great for a document camera
-Pay attention to shadows (this is why the cooling rack worked so well!)
-Create a clutter-free area for recording
-If you're narrating while you write, create an outline or script and rehearse prior to filming

If youā€™re feeling ambitious, check out this design from Sperreng teacher, Bill Murphy (and follow him on Instagram at @murfmath).





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