IPEVO’s RMA Journey Part Three: Utilizing Document Cameras for Teaching Math and Science & Technology
In Part Two of IPEVO’s RMA Journey, we began exploring how rural schools in Taiwan were utilizing their refurbished document cameras from IPEVO’s RMA giveaway program. Specifically, we looked at how the document cameras were being used for the first time in Arts & Crafts lessons, where visualization is an important part for student learning. Teachers in rural areas like Hualien, Tainan, Changhua, and Yilan were able to project student work onto screens, demonstrate painting techniques, and teach art analysis from the front of the classroom to an engaged audience.
Here, we continue to follow the journey of these RMA products and explore how these refurbished document cameras are furthering students’ learning in Math, and Science & Technology.
The Ganfang Elementary School in Nantou county experimented with a P2V document camera in their science classes. The P2V allowed science teachers the unprecedented opportunity to project science experiments live to a big screen. Teachers were able to display plants, insects, and bugs for close-up observations while the students remained seated. All in all, with P2V, teachers are able to present clear, precise, and visually engaging science lessons to all students.
Similarly, the Haichian Elementary School in Taichung city also received a P2V document camera. The introduction of this technology in their classrooms changed their sixth-grade math class forever. Previously, the only way teachers could teach angle measurements was by taking an oversized, bulky protractor to the blackboard while simultaneously drawing on the board and holding the protractor awkwardly. Not only was it an inconvenient and ineffective method to teach students, but teachers needed a new solution — and fast — as manufacturers were beginning to phase out the oversized tool. Now, with the P2V, math teachers can use a normal-sized protractor conveniently from their own desks while projecting the process live to the whole class.
The Loucuo Elementary School in Changhua county received a Ziggi-HD Plus document camera to enhance their science classes. The Ziggi-HD Plus was used for observing materials, such as steel wool. It allowed students to observe the nuances and scientific makeup of materials with its high quality images and a swiveling camera head that captured different orientations. Ziggi-HD Plus’s lightweight, portable, and intuitive design, together with its plug and play design and small footprint also made it easy for teachers to use.
In Tainan city, the Jianan Elementary School received a P2V document camera for their animation classes to make stop-motion videos. Previously, the students only had access to a tablet with an attached stand for creating stop-motion videos. This outdated technology limited the angles that students could capture. Now, with the P2V, they have more shooting angles and can utilize the free Visualizer software that offers them more image adjustment options when creating stop-motion videos.
We hope you have enjoyed today’s journey. Our last installment of this blog series will be on using these refurbished document cameras for teaching languages. Stay tuned!
