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Using the Document Camera Instructions
Echo 360 for Staff
What to use the Document Camera for
1. Echo 360 does not capture anything written or projected on the whiteboard or overhead projector
in the teaching venue.
2. Echo 360 can capture anything able to be displayed using the document camera.
3. The document camera can be used to project images, pages and text from an open book, book
cover, A4 or A3 sized paper, or objects.
4. When used with paper with a light background and a dark felt pen, the document camera can also
serve the function of an overhead projector.
5. Objects or artefacts can readily be projected, along with text, on to one or both data projector
screens.
Possibilities:
Display a passage of text, a page of text or student work.
Use a sheet of paper with a light background and a dark felt pen to use the document camera as an
overhead projector.
Display objects, images and diagrams for discussion and problem-solving activities.
Describe how to use functions on an iPad or other electronic device in real time.
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The Controls
1. Select the Document Camera channel using the left or right hand side button for the document
camera on the lectern console, depending on which screen you wish to project the text, object or
image.
2. Turn on the document camera using the switch on the right side of the document camera.
3. Extend the document camera arm so that it resembles an overhead projector arm and the
projector light or LED guide spots should shine down onto the surface of the lectern.
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4. Select CAMERA as the function on the document camera function buttons.
5. Adjust the sliding light control on the light array on the projector arm, to obtain the best effect
when viewing the desired projected image etc. on the data projector screen(s). This switch has three
modes - light off, light on and light on with guide positioning marks. If there is sufficient lighting at
the front of the teaching space where the document camera is positioned on the lectern, it may not
be necessary to use the camera’s light at all. Experiment.
6. Adjust the orientation of the camera’s light array by gently turning the light array on the projector
arm to portrait or landscape orientation. Adjust text or objects on the lectern surface under the light
beam as required.
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7. Place the text, image or object under the projected light on the camera arm and use the zoom
control as required for close-up or wider angle views of the projected item.
8. Turn off the document camera after you have finished using it.
Notes and strategies
•
For better resolution of the projected text, images or objects, turn up the front teaching
space lighting using the lighting panel controls on the lectern and monitor the effect of doing
so on the projected screen image of what you the document camera is capturing. Typically,
more light produces brighter images with stronger contrast and colour.
•
There are several more features available on the document camera. Please contact Learning
Technologies Support Ext. 6428 to arrange for an advisor to help you to use more features.
•
The document camera can be used like an overhead projector for selectively revealing points
(using an opaque overlay), images, diagrams, or to sketch and write text (for later reuse if
required). All of this can be captured as a channel for students to view later using Rich
Media Player to review the lecture.
•
Use the camera’s zoom feature to highlight important text or a quote from a book or journal
placed under the camera etc.
•
Exploit the camera’s ability to show 3D objects or pictures from books etc. Overlay a
transparent film to allow writing or highlighting to be added.
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•
Consider using large dark text (black or blue or green) on an A4 page to outline the structure
and sequence of the lecture. Rest a ballpoint pen adjacent to the point on the
sheet/transparency where you are up to in the lecture, while you use the other channel
(Sympodium/computer/laptop) to display your PowerPoint presentation. Alternatively, write
key questions to ask in the lecture, on the A4 page to place under the camera and move your
ballpoint pen down to the current question that students should be reflecting on at a
particular point of the lecture. This structure helps to maintain students’ focus in the lecture
and also helps students to use your recorded lecture more easily as this technique adds more
‘cues’ for students to review in the lecture recording.
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