Why is a document camera effective? - JAPAN

Here is a testimony by Dr.Tatsuya Horita, Associate professor, National Institute of Multimedia Education in Japan. (Dr.Horita's website)

                                                                           

I often go to schools to help improve classes by utilizing ICT (Information & Communication Technology). In the classes using the document cameras, I often witness students speak aloud " I understand it!"  Students often get excited and would love to speak in front of the class. They want to let teachers and their classmates know that they actually understand it!. This is what they call it, 'the joy of understanding'. They understand it so, it becomes fun for them.  It becomes fun so they study harder.  I witness it becomes a greatly positive circle such as this with many schools with the document cameras.

With the document camera, "a real object" can be projected in the enlarged image. Among many ICT products, the document camera is particularly useful and effective that way. You can simply place an actual object under the camera. That is it!  You hardly need to have knowledge in how to use computers. And no preparation needed. With simple use of the document camera, it effectively helps students understand better and classes become fun for them. Students become happy and concentrate on studying. What are projected with the document camera are text books and notebooks, there are hardly any radical difference from teaching methods conducted before. Without changing so much from the ways classes were conducted,  with the document camera, it becomes more effective classes.

It is often said that Technology as it progresses, fits with the way of human lives. Some used to believe ICT will take away the opportunities to experience actual events and yet, the latest of ICT technology is in fact to teach by projecting actual objects.