Learning Collaboratively with IPEVO VZ-R doc cam: A Techie day with a Seniors Book Club
Abracadabra! A book club is where the magic of words brings people together. With more and more older adults now enjoying to eat, drink & merry at a book club, the introduction of technology opens the door to accessibility, as well as inspiration in creating an inviting atmosphere for everyone. Just as IPEVO document cameras are transforming classrooms into places full of fun and excitement, we invite PHP Friendship Club, a seniors book club in Taiwan to our Taiwan office to try out our brand new VZ-R HDMI/USB Dual Mode 8MP Document Camera.
Finding the sweet spot between simplicity and versatility is a real challenge. Complexity is a curve ball even for seniors who are so passionate about technology. VZ-R’s plug & play game plan plays out cleanly with a two-a-side: an HDMI cable that transfers live images to a TV, and a USB port that provides power to the device.
Using the control buttons located on VZ-R’s body, all it takes is a touch of fingertip to zoom in and out of the object. By zooming in, the very detailed images of books, notes and smart phone screens all show up crisp and clear on the TV thanks to VZ-R’s 8MP camera. It is exactly this outstanding clarity that makes VZ-R a great assistive reading tool. With VZ-R, low vision seniors would have no trouble viewing small prints of reading materials.
According to Hong Chien, Ching Hui (Celia), the chairperson of Hong’s Foundation and the host of the book club, the concept of collaborative learning comes from the joy of sharing. Thus, instead of plunging straight into a book discussion, this time round members of the PHP Friendship Club decide to run the session by getting everyone to share a personal item. In no time, books, notes, yoga illustrations and images of flowers all “spring to life” on the TV.
With VZ-R, members get to share their personal anecdotes through the “visualization” of sentimental value of the objects. Apart from allowing the sharing session to quickly rotate through each member’s area of interest, VZ-R brings the bits and pieces into a larger context at the front screen: the colorful everyday life of the seniors.
Book clubs are great social forums that encourage seniors to stay active in everyday living. VZ-R transforms the conventional verbal based book discussion into a visual experience. Apart from being an assistive reading tool, VZ-R’s capability of enlarging all kinds of objects opens up a wider selection of learning materials. Just as Rene Descartes once hinted: “the reading of all good books is like a conversation with the finest minds of past centuries.” Through the eye of VZ-R, this reading was not only made visible, but also collaborative.
