Videoclassroom Equipment

Document Camera

The document camera serves many functions—as a chalkboard, overhead projector, opaque projector, and magnifier.

1. Chalkboard: The document camera can be used in place of the chalkboard if you instead write on 8-1/2” x 11” pads with the felt tip pens provided. There are several advantages to using the document camera instead of a wall board. First, you need never turn your back toward your class. You maintain better contact with your students, you do not block their view, and they will hear you better. Second, you will know by checking your monitor in the back of the room exactly what all of your students are seeing, on and off-campus. Third, you need not erase. If you take your camera notes with you, you will have a complete record of your “board work.”
2. Overhead projector: While a standard overhead projector cannot be used because of the difficulties created in reproducing the image on video, you may, however, use your overhead transparencies. The camera, combined with a white background, will become your overhead projector by placing your transparency on a white card (or paper) under the camera. Most transparencies contain too much information to be very useful as is; in these cases start out by showing the whole transparency to keep the correct information centered within the frame. When available, use an opaque version of any transparency. This will eliminate the need for the white background and reflection problems.
3. Opaque projector: The camera can be used to show photographs and diagrams from books, periodicals, and other printed matter. The camera can zoom into very small objects and illustrations, greatly enlarging the material and filling the screen.
4. Magnifier: As previously mentioned, the camera can zoom into a very small area—about the size of a credit card. Demonstrations normally not possible in an ordinary classroom can be accomplished using this feature.

Computer Input

You are encouraged to use the laptop computer installed in the videoclassroom instructor’s console during your lecture. A scan converter alters the output of the computer so that it can be displayed on a standard television monitor. During this conversion process the image will be “over scanned,” which causes about one inch to be lost on all four sides of the computer screen.

If possible, keep the information centered. If any of the information in the bleed area is critical, the scan converter will allow you to move the image on the screen up, down, and sideways. Please refer to the Prepared Visuals section (pages 30-31) in this manual for type/font suggestions.

When you are using this feature, the computer image will appear on the room monitors and will be recorded by the operator.

Monitors

Depending on the individual room configuration, there are three or four large monitors in the videoclassroom, one or two for your in-room students to watch and the other in the back of the room for you. They normally show the same images which are seen by the overhead camera. This avoids any distractions that might occur by your image appearing during the live recording. Exceptions to the rule are possible and indeed desirable on occasion, such as at those times when close coordination between you and your operator is important. One example of this need would be if you wish to have images from two different cameras combined on the screen (split screen).

1. Special effects: Occasionally, operators can enhance your presentation by employing special effects (split screen, highlight). When doing so, they may elect to display the results on the room monitors so that your on-campus students may benefit and to encourage your coordination.
2. Program: At any time you wish your on-campus students to see exactly what is being recorded, you may direct your operator to show it on the room monitors.
3. Videotape inserts: Whenever you show your class any pre-recorded tapes, these segments will appear on the room monitors. Please notify your operator in advance if you plan to use any pre-recorded tapes. Please be certain that you are in compliance with copyright restrictions (see Appendix D) and that the recordings are made in either the SVHS or VHS formats and recorded in the SP (standard play) tape speed.

Supplies

Special felt tip pens and pads are provided which have proven effective for use under the overhead camera. Please discard any pens as soon as they run out of ink. This will prevent the next instructor from having the same experience. Pens and pads will be on the desk when you arrive. If they are missing or should the pens run dry during the lecture, ask the operator to provide another to you. Please leave these pens and pads in the classroom.

You are not restricted to the pad under the document camera for written material. You may, at any time, use the boards. Please use color markers that contrast well with the gray background.