VIZ Word Cloud

Here’s a graphic word cloud of all the words in my new book, Digital Shapeshifter.  The more the word is found in the book, the larger it appears in this word cloud. (Click on the graphic to enlarge it.)

It’s quite interesting to visualize, in this way, the recurring themes and concepts that emerge from the first book published on the topic of document cameras in the United States. It’s like putting your fingers on the pulse of what’s happening with document cameras in the classroom—and taking a read.

A Swiss Army Knife

Hey, the classroom document camera does not necessarily become all things to all people, but it comes reasonably close. Few educators realize that the quiet and unassuming document camera actually serves as eight tools-in-one, all neatly and compactly rolled into a single mechanical wonder. Without a doubt, your classroom document camera is nothing less than a digital “Swiss Army” knife. And pushing this metaphor as far as I can get away with, it comes with eight different ‘blades’ or tools for teachers and professors to use:

• It’s an overhead projector, without the need for transparency sheets or special pens.
• It’s an opaque projector, without the bulky size.
• It’s a scanner, only faster.
• It’s a document viewer, in full color.
• It’s a 3D object/artifact projector for use with hard-to-handle realia.
• It’s a micro lens for seeing hard-to-see microworlds.
• It’s a digital still camera for capturing those special moments, including time-lapse photos
• It’s a digital video camera for planned or spontaneous recording. 

That's another reason why I call the classroom document camera a "digital shapeshifter" in my book.

Choices Abound (3)

Some new players have arrived on the scene, so I revised a recent post with new and updated information:

So you want to purchase document cameras? Here are the major players in this field:

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/

Of course, there are many other document camera manufacturers. Here is a more comprehensive list of those companies with a smaller footprint in the education market space, but with worthy products:

Buhl http://www.hamiltonbuhl.com/store/c/3161-Visual-Presenters.aspx

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

eBeam http://www.e-beam.com/products/ebeam-focus.html

iPevo   (small form factor document cameras)     http://www.ipevo.com/

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

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

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

At the 2012 TCEA conference in Austin, still other manufacturers came out to play with solid products:

Dukane http://www.dukane.com/av/products/VisualizersCameras.asp

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

Vidifox  http://www.cimav.com/store/categories/-44

Choices Abound (2)

Of course, there are many other document camera manufacturers. Here is a more comprehensive list of those companies with a smaller footprint in the education market space, but with worthy products:

Buhl http://www.hamiltonbuhl.com/store/c/3161-Visual-Presenters.aspx

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

eBeam http://www.e-beam.com/products/ebeam-focus.html

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

iPevo   (small form factor document cameras)     http://www.ipevo.com/

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

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

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

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/

Digital Shapeshifter

At last! My latest book is out on the shelves:

Digital Shapeshifter

Visual teaching, differentiated learning, and formative assessment with the classroom Document Camera.

It's the only book on the market about great teaching with document cameras. You'll love it! I't's 165 pages dedicated to totally transforming how we use classroom document cameras. You can find Digital Shapeshifter in the exhibit hall of your local technology conference or directly from the publisher at this link. Enough with crass commercials!

Legend of the Donkey Cam

Improve your Donkey Cam Kung Fu by following this blog.

In the previous post, I suggested that one of the names given to classroom document cameras is that of "donkey cam." Where did that notion come from? I assure you, it came from the hearts of students. Here's the simple genesis of that phrase: 

In a brightly lit Colorado classroom,  a teacher moves from behind his desk to a small table holding his document camera. A student cheerfully cries out, “Are we using the ‘donkey cam’ today, Mr. Allen?"

I chose this story because students really appreciate the visual allure and conceptual clarity provided when document cameras are used well in instruction. Lovingly calling this modern audio-visual device a “donkey cam,” it is clear that this young lady was extremely pleased that the day’s lesson might be forthcoming using the visual approach that reaches her best as a 21st century visual learner. This blog is really about richly visual 21st Century teaching and learning--using a document camera.

Clarifying Language

The humble yet educationally powerful document camera is known by many names throughout the world: No matter what you call it, the doc cam is a marvelous tool for teaching and learning.

Launching Future-Talk VIZ

Future-Talk VIZ

An educational blog dedicated to the effective and transformational use of the document camera in K-20 classrooms. The document camera is also known as a "Digital Presentation Visualizer," hence the colorful stylism in the title, VIZ. In this blog, we will focus on the past, present, and promising future of this technology in visual teaching and learning. Enjoy the journey!