Flip Video Cameras in the Classroom

I have to say, I do love my little Flip Video camera! I keep it with me all of the time. Because it's so simple and quick to operate I've been able to capture a few things I may have missed otherwise like:
- a flock of wild turkeys feeding in a field by the side of the road in the early morning hours
- a cool shot of a snapping turtle making its way across the road
- an owl sitting on a power line right after it flew up in front of me
- a great example of a teacher using a document camera during her language arts lesson
- my 9 year old singing his heart out to "Life is a Highway" while staring out the car window

More and more teachers are finding uses for the Flip Video as well. Because the cameras are simple to use and relatively inexpensive they make a great addition to any classroom. Here are a few ideas I found:
- Narrated field trips with students serving as guides
- Interviewing other students, staff or community members
- Digital storytelling projects
- Capturing science as it happens
- Demonstrating experiments
- Students sharing "their world"
- Taping presentations and reports

Administrators are also getting in the act. One of the coolest uses I've seen of the camera so far is from a principal in my district. She takes the Flip Video with her when she does her daily "walk throughs" (walking through the school to see what good things are happening). When she encounters noteworthy items, best practices, great student interaction, interesting uses of technology, etc., she whips out her Flip Video and captures the moment. She then shares that with her staff during faculty meetings and during their morning broadcast.

Taking a note from that administrator, I did my own walk through in one of our schools that is really beginning to excel in the use of technology. I was looking for teachers using technology. If I saw something good happening when I peeked in the door I went in the room and recorded a few seconds of video. That video was posted on the school's intranet under "Look Who Was Caught Using Technology Today". Corny-I know- but so far it's peeking interest.

So, what's your story with the Flip Video? How have you or someone you know used it in your school/classroom? Share what you've done. We're all looking for interesting ideas!

Document Cameras in the Classroom

Document cameras have been around for a while, but better cameras are becoming more affordable for schools. Schools in our district have purchased several over the past couple of years due to funding from grants. This led me to do a little more research as to how to best use and initiate use of document cameras by teachers.

Document cameras are probably one of the easiest ways to move the more reluctant teacher to use newer technology because it closely mimics their old favorite, the overhead projector. The document camera provides much more flexibility and eliminates "ye olde melted transparency in the copy machine syndrome."

Here are a few tips and tricks I've picked up from helping and watching others use the document camera as well as great web resources.

1) The Notebook -
When using the document camera to take notes in class it works well to use a spiral bound notebook for each class/ subject. Date the page in the notebook as you begin the class period and write your notes as usual. Staple copies of worksheets or other works edited in the notebook. This is a great tool to help absent students catch up on missing notes.

Spiral bound notebooks not your thing? Then, grab a binder, loose leaf paper, tabbed dividers and a hole puncher. After you take the notes just slip them in the notebook for future reference.

2) Show and Tell
For younger kids, the document camera is a great tool for showing smaller objects and math manipulatives. Who needs special overhead tools when any old object will do.

3) Smile You're on Candid Camera
Having kids share reports in front of the class? Turn the camera towards the students and have them appear on the screen. They'll show up on the big screen and feel like a rock star!


Great Websites Sharing Document Camera Ideas
Using the Document Camera in the Early Childhood Classroom - http://www.pre-kpages.com/elmo.html

Classroom Uses for Document Cameras - http://www.timbedley.com/articles/article05.htm

100 Ideas for Using the Data Projector and Document Camera - http://www.umesd.k12.or.us/techlinks_100ideas

Teaching Tips: Classroom Use of ELMO Document Cameras - http://www.emints.org/ethemes/resources/S00002162.shtml

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