Document Camera

Did you read the title of this blog and think to yourself, "What is a document camera?"  For decades, classroom teachers had a device similar to a document camera, but we called them overhead projectors before the digital age. Like most technology, it evolves, and document cameras have a few more features than the overhead projector had back in the day. Our Ballard teachers often refer to them as an "Elmo."

Recently, at Ballard East, all classroom teachers received a brand new document camera.  This one is called a HoverCam (Solo8Plus).  The HoverCam is a compact device with high-resolution (13 Megapixel Camera Module).  The HoverCam is a multifunctional digital camera (13MP still image) that can scan documents, take still pictures,  and video record (time-lapse video, ultra-clear details, and slow motion).  The HoverCams uses software, KnoteSter, for interactive whiteboarding, annotation, desktop marking, document camera, and lesson recording and sharing.  This software also allows teachers to do a side-by-side, multi-split, snapshot, record, and whiteboard options.

HoverCam in action.

Mrs. Jordison's class is writing autobiography poems.  Here you see her HoverCam displaying a split screen.  This allows for the class to view a list of adjectives (still picture) on the left and Mrs. Jordison completing an example poem on the right.

Mrs. DeHamer displaying her textbook onto her whiteboard.

Ms. Demrys HoverCam is displaying a math problem as it is being solved. 

HoverCam (Solo8 Plus)

Twitter: @BCSDTechEDU

(Tweets are related to technology enhancing the Ballard classrooms.)

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East - #bcsdeast

Middle School - #bcsdms

High School - #bcsdhs

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Interactive Whiteboards at Ballard

Welcome back to school and to the BallardTech Blog!

Interactive Whiteboards

At each of the Ballard elementary buildings, our classroom teachers have access to a device called a MimioTeach.  This device turns a classroom teacher's whiteboard into an interactive whiteboard (IWB).  A whiteboard is merely a board that can be used for writing, but an IWB is used to interact with the computer. For example, the contents written on an IWB can be stored for future use. Students and teachers are able to use a Mimio pen device to move objects projected from a teacher's computer to the IWB, write, highlight, color, etc.

Ballard's West building Technology Lead Teacher, Kim Mikkelsen, shared what she likes about her IWB. "My students love when they get to be the "teacher helper."  I have more active participation and the kids can't wait to have their turn.  I love seeing my kids eager to learn.  I use our interactive whiteboard frequently because it provides movement in my classroom so students are more focused and are able to concentrate on the lesson.  When they move, more blood and oxygen flow to the brain increasing attention."

Her students also shared what they like about the IWB:  Nash: " I like using the interactive whiteboard because we get to share out ideas."  Ayla: "I like using the magic pen because it's way better than cutting and sorting words. It makes it more fun!"  Drew: "I like using the interactive whiteboard because it's big so we can see it and it's fun to learn with it."

Kim Mikkelsen's MimioTeach in action.

Any Ballard elementary teacher that would like assistance with their classroom MimioTeach may reach out to their building Technology Lead, a technology team member, or the Technology Integrationist.

Teachers are able to locate activities and lessons that have been created and shared by other professional teachers at MimioConnect . Kim Mikkelsen and Jody Kelley have sorted lessons by subject-specific areas.  These lessons can be found in the Ballard District building's public folders under Mimio Lessons or Interactive Whiteboard lessons.  If a teacher would like to create their own activity or lesson, they have this opportunity as well.

Wishing you and your students the BEST year ever!

Twitter: @BCSDTechEDU

(These tweets are related to technology enhancing the Ballard classrooms.)

Hashtags:

West - #bcsdwest

East - #bcsdeast

Middle School - #bcsdms

High School - #bcsdhs

District - #BCSDTechEDU