You may have just received a document camera or have access to one, and you may be wondering how to use it to create powerful learning opportunities. Science in the elementary classroom is a great place to start.

Document cameras can be easily integrated to support teaching and facilitate whole-group instruction. Combining a document camera with Pixie or Frames allows you to capture images and frames directly into the software. Not only does this provide instant feedback for students, it makes it easy to capture and revisit classroom discussions and develop projects as an entire class.

The document camera can serve as a stepping stone for young students, allowing you to model a process before students complete it on their own. For example, place a flower (roots and all) on the document camera and locate the roots, leaves, stems, and flower as an entire class. If you open Pixie, you can capture a picture of the entire plant as a background for a labeling activity, or each part as a sticker students can use to discuss the plant’s structure. Use these files in the lab and ask students to use Pixie’s text and paint tools to label each part of the plant and discuss its function. Students can even use the Share feature to create a book or movie about the parts of a plant.

Many document cameras have zoom features, allowing you to use it with Pixie as a digital microscope for students. Use the zoom feature to explore the cellular structure of onion skin or a slide with a drop of saliva to compare both plant and animal cells. Then, capture these in Pixie and ask students to use the Venn diagram template to label and compare the images.

If you use Frames, you can import frames directly from the document camera to easily document procedures such as dissections. Once all of the frames are captured, have students label the images, record narration, and export a video or podcast they can share with others.

Importing images directly into Frames also makes it easy to create time-lapse movies that illustrate change over time. For example, place an ice cube in a tray below the document camera. Capture frames of the cube as it melts over the course of the day. Review all of the frames and discuss how water changes its state from solid, into liquid, and eventually evaporating into gas. Have students adjust the timing of the images and record narration to discuss what causes the cube to change states.

You can use your document camera to create a clay animation as an entire class, modeling the process before students embark on their own projects. Create a flat background you can lay below the document camera. Have students create 2-dimensional clay characters to move on top of this flat surface. With a couple of student helpers, capture this movement in Frames. Then, work as a class to choose a title, transitions, music, and narration, having students take turns on the computer as the process is shown using a digital projector.

With a little time and creativity, Frames and Pixie can open doors to provide a new avenue of understanding for your students’ daily science curriculum.