What's new @ FETC

I recently spent many days at the FETC 2016 conference in Orlando, looking for what’s new. One of the most interesting findings was in the AVERinfo booth. They released their new AVerVIsion F70W document camera. So what’s new? This high-definition classroom visualizer offers wireless mobility—the ability of the document camera to rove free across the classroom.  AVER claims this can help “transform the traditional front-of-the-classroom teaching style that so characterizes document camera use.Simply move it to where the kids are! It’s eight-hour battery makes it all possible. 

What's New in 2014

There are a lot of new things happening in the world of document cameras and visualization tools, as evidenced in the first two major conferences of 2014 (FETC and TCEA).  Here are some quick news bytes:

AverInformation

AverInfo featured a redesign of the user interface of the software that controls their document cameras, pictured below. 

It's a good move, based on my previous post, entitled “Improve This!”

ExoLabs

This is the first time I have seen ExoLabs at one of these conferences, and they made a splash with their new microscope camera and their close up camera with a mounting stand, pictured below.

GradeCam

GradeCam made a first time entry with an assessment scoring all-in-one solution, pictured below. Not a document camera, they claim, but it looks like one to me. Perhaps we can call it a single-purpose document camera?

Fujitsu

Fujitsu also entered these exhibit halls for the first time with a dedicated scanning solution, designed to bring high quality to image capture, while replacing the long-asleep flatbed scanner. This generation of hardware is called their "scansnap" line. But I am bit worried--what they were modeling might indeed be illegal.

Lumens

Standard Lumens visualizers were on display in a typically attractive booth. “Pass-through HDMI inputs” were the newest feature they were promoting. Lumens would do better to return to teacher-centered messaging. See my blog post entitled “Visualize Better Messaging.”

In the next two posts, we will highlight some of the ground-breaking trends being offered two of the document camera companies exhibiting at TCEA and FETC.

2013 Super List

2013 List of Visualizer Manufacturers

Here’s my comprehensive list of all known visualizers on the market. (If you see one missing, please leave a comment below.) Use this list for purposes of product evaluation, comparing features, bidding, and identifying RFP resources for your classroom document camera needs:

Top Manufacturers in K-20 settings (in alphabetic order)

AVerInformation www.averusa.com/presentation

Elmo http://www.elmousa.com/

Ken-A-Vision http://ken-a-vision.com/cameras/groups/document-cameras-visualisers

Lumens http://www.myladibug.com/

Pathway Innovations      http://www.thehovercam.com

QOMO http://www.qomo.com/ProductList.aspx?CategoryID=1

Recordex http://recordexusa.com/PresentationSolutions.html

Samsung Techwin: http://www.samcam860.com/

Other Notable Manufacturers (in alphabetic order)

All in Learning ($25 dollar Doc Cam) www.allinlearning.com 
Buhl http://www.hamiltonbuhl.com/store/c/3161-Visual-Presenters.aspx

Califone http://www.califone.com/visual.php

Epson http://www.epson.com/cgi-bin/Store/jsp/EdProjectors/Home/ClassroomSolutions.do?BV_UseBVCookie=yes

iPevo http://www.ipevo.com/

Luna http://www.learningresources.com/product/luna--8482-+interactive+projection+camera.do?sortby=ourPicks&sortby=&

Optoma http://optomausa.com/products/detail/DC300

VidiFox http://www.vidifox.com/documentCamera.php

WolfVision http://www.wolfvision.com/visualizer/index.php/en

Wireless Doc Cams

At two recent technology conferences, teachers in my sessions have evidenced keen interest in the instructional freedom offered by wireless document cameras. Only three companies make wireless document cameras as of this date.  To compare on your own, take a look at these brief videos on each product. I have simply ranked the products by published wireless transmission distances:

• Lumen’s Wireless Ladibug offers a healthy distance of 95 feet and is a strong player.
• AVerInformation’s W30 offers a 45 foot range, and a sleek look.
• Elmo's brand new wireless document camera offers a slick, small form factor look, and collapses nicely, with a wireless distance of 33 ft.

Choices Abound (1)

Some of the common questions that educators ask include: "who makes document cameras?" or "what are the options?" You actually have many solid choices. The document camera manufacturers below represent the largest presence in the educational market. I have provided links for connecting with each of them.

Common Manufacturers in K-20 Settings (in alpabetic order)

AVerInformation averusa.com/presentation

Elmo www.elmousa.com/digital-visual-presenters.php

Lumens www.myladibug.com/

Pathway Innovations www.thehovercam.com

Qomo www.qomo.com

Samsung Techwin: http://www.samcam860.com/