Learn How to Use a Webcam as a Document Camera for Online Teaching

Teaching online can be challenging, as it requires active engagement to make the class fun and interactive for young and adult learners. Whether you are a teacher or trainer, knowing how to use gadgets and tools can benefit your virtual classroom. One powerful tool is a document camera, which allows you to include a real-time visual element in lessons and demonstrations, giving learners a better understanding of the topic.

In this article, we will explain how a document camera can enhance your online teaching experience, offer a few tips to transform your webcam into a versatile document camera, and recommend a multimode webcam that can also function as a document camera.

A document camera, also known as a visualizer or a visual presenter, is a flexible presentation tool for displaying and magnifying physical objects or documents in real time. It consists of a camera mounted on an adjustable arm or stand, which captures images or videos and projects them onto a larger screen or interactive whiteboard. 

Document cameras are popular in education. They offer live content material for a wide range of in-classroom, online, and hybrid learning applications. They are often mounted on a tabletop surface or affixed to a ceiling.

One of the significant benefits of using a document camera alongside your presentation equipment is that you can bring subjects to life by showing pages from textbooks, experiments, illustrations, or 3-D objects, helping students learn better through visual means.

Approximately 65% of the population are visual learners, and using a document camera to present information visually can enhance learning outcomes. You can combine materials presented through a document camera with other content like PowerPoint slides, textbook content, demonstrations, and videos, and regularly switch between the document camera and media content. This approach helps refresh learners' attention span and improves their ability to retain information compared to solely oral presentations, thus replicating the in-person learning experience.

A document camera is a great tool but it can be expensive and inaccessible. Using a webcam as a document camera is a cost-effective solution for online teaching, presentations, and meetings.

To use your existing webcam as a document camera, you will need a few accessories. Get a webcam mount and a flexible tripod or gooseneck with a desk clamp. When shopping for these accessories, make sure that they are compatible with your webcam model.

Yes, you can use your phone or tablet as a document camera! To utilize your phone as a document camera, you will need a few basic tools and apps. These include a Wi-Fi connection that supports Screen Mirroring and a tripod or gooseneck stand to securely hold your phone.

If you are looking for budget-friendly options, here are some creative do-it-yourself ideas for a document camera stand, such as using soup cans or a stack of books.

Next, launch the Zoom app on your computer, click "Share Screen," choose "Advanced Sharing Options," select "iPhone/iPad via AirPlay," and follow the on-screen instructions.

If you're using an Android phone, you'll need a tool to mirror your phone's screen to your computer. Vysor provides a free phone mirroring application that you can download on your Windows and Mac computers. Once installed, you can mirror your Android phone's screen to your computer using a USB cable.​

Using your existing webcam or phone is a budget-friendly option, but it may not be the most efficient choice. It may lack certain features and require some preparation before starting your class. Fortunately, there is a solution to simplify things!

BenQ ideaCam is a versatile webcam that offers portrait, desk view, and handheld modes, seamlessly switching from webcam to document camera in just a second. It simplifies presenting materials on your desktop, making it easy and convenient.

Furthermore, ideaCam comes with a 15x optical zoom lens, so you can use it as a microscope to showcase incredible details. Whether it's small print, textures, or any other element you want learners to see in detail, ideaCam enables crystal-clear visibility.