Document+Camera

 media type="custom" key="3572708"

media type="custom" key="3572618" **__ Maryland Teacher Technology Standards __** B. Use technology to communicate information in a variety of formats. Use multiple digital sources to communicate information online.
 * II. Communication**

6. Develop an appropriate assessment for measuring student outcomes through the use of technology.
 * V. Integrating Technology into the Curriculum and Instruction**

1. Identify and analyze assistive technology resources that accommodate individual student learning needs. 2. Apply assistive technology to the instructional process and evaluate its impact on learners with diverse backgrounds, characteristics and abilities.
 * VI. Assistive Technology**

Over the last week, I have use the document camera in a variety of ways. Thus far, the document camera has helped me explain how to complete different assignments with a variety of students.
 * Description: **

Currently, my ESOL LSN Government students are in the process of researching their legislators and writing a letter to one of them about an issue. The document camera has allowed me to explain the assignment in a visual manner. Because many of these students have low reading skills, I have been able to go over the different parts of this assignment with little to no confusion. For instance, I was able to do part of the assignment with the students on the same piece of paper they are using, making the process much more comfortable for the students.

I also teach one period of AP Government and Politics. The document camera has been great in helping explain assignments, though because this class meets daily, I have been able to use the document camera for many different purposes. Students recently completed a Webquest about the federal budget process. I was able to use the document camera to review this assignment with the students in a visual manner. While learning about the Electoral College, I was able to explain an assignment and go over the electoral map using the document camera. The students had to use the map to come up with different strategies on how to win 270 electoral votes—without the document camera, this assignment would have lost much of its luster. Today, students are bringing a copy of an OP-ED about the Electoral College. Students are going to be using their essays to come up with 3 of the most convincing arguments for either keeping or eliminating the Electoral College.

The document camera has become a vital tool in my teaching arsenal. The ability to make teaching and learning more visual and simple helps me teach my students and prepare them for upcoming county and state tests. I utilize this tool on a daily basis--one of the first things I do each morning is setting up the document camera. My student intern has become so used to using the document camera that he fears he will be at a disadvantage without the tool when he begins teaching next year.
 * Reflection: **