Webcams in the Classroom

At the beginning of the year, I purchased 3 webcams to use as a pilot program in a few classes. We purchased Logitech 9000 webcams and teachers are using them as document cameras as well. The major benefit with the webcams is price... a document camera costs over $700 and the webcams cost about $70. (Ten for the price of one is ALWAYS a good deal!)

After talking with the administration, we decided to buy 25 more webcams for teachers to use in their classrooms. As I've started distributing, teachers are coming up with marvelous ideas on ways to use them with their students. Here are some of the basics, please share other ideas in the comments section.

As a document camera

• manipulatives


• class demonstrations


• to show student work


• teacher led notes and examples

As a video camera you can record

• instructions when you're going to have a sub


• project presentations


• tutorials for FAQs


• yourself using an avatar to grab the attention of the class

Here's a very cool video I found while researching webcams... try it in your classroom!