Webcams

=Web Cams in the Classroom - November 16, 2010=

To take a photograph

 * Open the webcam software to pull up the menu
 * Activate the QuickCam to the Quick Capture screen
 * Center the subject on the screen
 * Click “Take a photo.” The image will appear in the gallery below the buttons.
 * Use images in Word document or PPT
 * Open Microsoft Word, PPT, or Publisher
 * Select “Insert” > “Picture”
 * Navigate to “My Pictures” to “Webcam” folder
 * Locate image in Webcam folder
 * Double-click to insert image
 * Use new picture shapes, borders, and effects to frame and/or edit image
 * Use for quick ID cards or in library automation systems
 * Use for class projects, crafts, etc.

To use webcams as a video recorder

 * Open the webcam software to pull up the menu
 * Activate the QuickCam to the Quick Capture screen
 * Center the subject on the screen
 * Click “Record Video” to record
 * Click “Stop Recording”
 * Classroom uses of video
 * Import into PPT
 * Open PPT
 * Click “Insert” > “Video”
 * Navigate to “My Documents” > “My Videos” > “QuickCam” folder
 * Select video and double-click
 * Send video by email
 * Upload to wiki, glog, blog, or other as vodcast
 * Example: []

Creating Avatars with webcam

 * Open the webcam software to pull up the menu
 * Activate the QuickCam to the Quick Capture screen
 * Center the subject on the screen
 * Select Video Effects by clicking the “Masks” icon
 * Choose “Avatars” or “Face Accessories” from drop down box
 * Select the avatar you want to use
 * Click the Green Arrow to turn video effects on
 * Use “Control-C” to calibrate camera to your face
 * Click “Record Video” to begin recording
 * Click “Stop Recording” to end the recording
 * Video will appear in “Gallery”
 * Double-click to view video
 * Using Video in the classroom
 * Insert avatar into PPT using same procedure as inserting video into PPT
 * Embed avatar video into glogs, wikis, or other web applications
 * Use avatars to record oral reports, editorials, make announcements, give instructions for assignments, create messages, etc.

Some Initial Web Cam Teaching Ideas

 * ====**WormCAM** -- Keep a wormery with live action! ====
 * ====**PlantCAM** – Show growth progress of a plant/plants growing under different conditions with a ruler showing ====
 * ====**CloudCAM** - check out the cloud cover or weather at your school. ====
 * ====**ClassCam** – show the class activities to homebound student ====
 * ====**FishCAM** – show an aquarium with fish or fish eggs hatching ====
 * ====**BugCAM** – find eggs or a cocoon to show an insect hatching ====
 * ====**CampusCAM** – make video or still shots of the campus to create a virtual school tour for the school’s Web site ====

====**ActivityCAM** – use the cam to create “avatars,” animations, to teach or reinforce concepts of any sort or for students to create responses to activities; pronounce new vocabulary lists; retell a story; react to a lesson; solve a problem; explain a process; give an oral report; read a story, essay, or poem (textual or creative) to the class; contact video pen pals; translate from English to other languages; read and record ==== ====text and other assignments for special needs students; sing a song; review test materials; create Parent Night, Math Night, or Open House greeting from the class; and or even “teach” an activity! ====

Specific concepts to use to create activities includes ideas such as:

 * ===Foreign Language - Teacher could record vocabulary word pronunciation to go along with printed list ===
 * ====**English/Journalism - Students could interview subject and upload file for all in class or school to hear **====
 * ====**Biology - Teacher could record lab activities or safety procedures to accompany handouts **====

Thanks to: []