You can think of if as a 21st century overhead projector: at least a document camera looks something like one. But in 27 pooled classrooms at WU, these new cameras are making possible detailed, real-time display of three dimensional objects and activities not previously available in a classroom setting.

Kit Mao, lecturer in Chemistry, shown at left, has taken advantage of the document camera in Lab Sciences 300 for her General Chemistry Laboratory course, L07 Chem 151. The camera's zoom feature allows a close-up look at Abe Lincoln's nose on the face of a penny, equivalent to viewing a 6-point typeface. Mao has used the high resolution to demonstrate chemical reactions to her class of nearly 300 students. In the photo, she is shown adding a colorless sodium hydroxide solution to a light blue copper sulfate. The resulting precipitate gradually turns from blue to black, forming copper oxide. "Without the enlarged image, no one after the second row could see the reaction," said Mao.

Using digital video, the document cameras can display in real time but they also allow capture of images for recall later, much as a digital still- frame camera. While preparing a lecture, Mao plans to run a chemical reaction before class and store images before, during and after the process. Then in her lectures, she can use the examples as baselines for the in-class demonstration of the same reaction.

The document camera in LS 300 is a tabletop model. This allows an instructor to shoot from various angles and even outside the work surface, showing images from the side of a set of beakers, for example. This is important to Mao since in most situations, "a student looks at a test tube in the lab from the side, not from the top." Other cameras in WU classrooms are ceiling-mounted. For these, an instructor places a document or object in the viewing area, guided by a laser pointer for centering and projecting accurately.

Nearly one-third of university managed classrooms now have document cameras and as others are remodeled or built, these cameras will be standard equipment. To schedule a classroom with a document camera for your course, see the Teaching Center's classroom directory or check with John Pingree in the office of Student Records, 935-6810. For a training session on using the cameras, contact the Teaching Center.

By the way, while document cameras can display objects such such as books, sculptures,  textiles, and test tubes, they can also project traditional overhead transparencies to help you take advantage of the best enhancements for  your subject and course.

by Liz Peterson, Associate Director, The Teaching Center

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