Document Camera Advice
Document Cameras, also known as Visualizers, are a powerful tool for bringing text, images, maps, manipulatives, and 3D objects to life in any learning environment. The term Visualizer is actually a more accurate name because it allows you to view much more than documents.
Question: What kind of document camera / visualizer is best for the classroom?
Answer: There is no single answer the question. When choosing a document camera for your classroom, there are many factors to consider.
Connection Options: All document cameras connect to an LCD / data projector and most document cameras also connect to a computer. If you think that you may use your document camera with a computer at some point in the future, this is an important feature to consider.
Image Capture and Display: High quality document cameras have onboard memory or memory card slots to capture images of the items displayed by the unit. Additionally, a high quality document camera has the capability to transfer any captured images to a computer for use with other applications. As an added feature check to see if you can display images from a digital camera through your document camera.
Software: High quality document cameras include software designed specifically to enable the user to write, highlight, add text, draw shapes, and capture video and images while working from at the computer.
Frames per Second: High quality document cameras allow events to be shown in "real time", meaning students can see events as they happen. A document camera with a 20 frame per second capture rate will give a smoother image than a document camera offering 10 frames per second capture rate. As a comparison, movies generally move at 30 frames per second.
Split Display:
Arm Flexibility: Look for a document camera with a flexible arm that pivots and rotates so 3D objects can be seen from all directions. Some very popular document cameras employ a "goose neck" design meaning the entire arm can be bent to an almost infinite number of angles. You will also want to consider the ease with which zoom and brightness controls can be accessed and used in conjunction with the arm movement.
Use with Microscope: If you teach science, this is an important feature. Some document cameras allow users to aim the lens down the barrel of a microscope without the additional expense of buying an adapter. Other units require the purchase of an adapter to make use of this feature.
LED lights: High quality modern document cameras adjust to room lighting conditions automatically. Where extra lighting is needed, check for onboard LED lights. Some units still use older fluorescent lights, which are prone to burn out and create environmental concerns.
