Get to know your 21st Century Classroom – Part 1: The Document Camera

This series will focus on getting to know the features and functions of some of the equipment that is present in a 21^st Century Classroom. Now that the term is underway, hopefully, teachers have had an opportunity to get familiar with some of the new tools in their classroom. Each new device has been provided to perform a specific task; detailed documentation is available online through our website at www.logicalchoice.com. We encourage educators to browse our site and especially check out the ActivClassroom overview available here: http://www.logicalchoice.com/products/explore-the-activclassroom/activclassroom-overview/.

3Cam Document Camera:

To begin this series, we will be discussing “doc cams” and specifically referencing the 3Cam, available exclusively through Logical Choice. Other doc cams will vary in features but should be similar in function to the 3Cam.

The document camera is a tool that is specifically engineered to provide excellent video representation of documents for transmittal through a digital medium. They are the 21^st century replacement for the transparency dependent, overhead projector. Doc cams offer better resolution and a shorter focal distance than a typical web cam. This is a necessary feature to be able to clearly read fine printed material. Essentially, the doc cam can do everything that a traditional web cam is capable of doing; however, it was designed to handle the unique demands of the classroom better. Teachers can use the 3Cam to display a page from a book, video record classroom activities, or even capture images through the 3Cam software.

3Cam Software:

Getting started with a doc cam usually begins with downloading the proper software and drivers. The 3Cam Software and updates are available through our website at: http://www.logicalchoice.com/products/doc-cameras-microscopes/3cam-software-updates/. Simply choose Windows or Mac and then follow the installation wizard. Once the program is installed, the 3Cam is ready to go! Just plug it in.

3Cam Features:

The quality of an image produced by a document camera is a direct result of the optics and the software utilities. The 3Cam offers a resolution of 1280 x 1024, autofocus, and an automatic exposure adjustment. The 3Cam software also gives the user control of the fine image tuning. It will allow the user to adjust zoom, color balance, focus, and the iris. This all adds up to a projected image that will be clear and easily readable to students. 


The 3Cam software also allows the teacher to rotate the image, snap a picture, and record an AVI movie or time-lapse photography. While it is not necessary to have an Intelligent White Board in order to use a document camera, the combination can be very powerful.

Next week: We will explore some of the functions and benefits of slate technology and how it allows students to fully engage into the day’s lesson.

Questions for Teachers

Apparently I (by proxy, through my attire) am the harbinger of spring. I wore shorts today. It was just too warm yesterday and I am constantly running, so, I figured that it was a good idea to break them out.

I am from Southern California and have recently moved to Georgia. Seasons have always been a foreign concept to me. It's just fascinating, to me, to think that a few weeks ago, it was so cold, people were stranded in their homes, unable to get to work. Schools were cancelled and production was halted. Yet, in a few months, it will be so hot in Georgia, we will have completely forgotten about the winter.

For right now, it's beautiful out. We are working hard and pursuing new technologies to aid educators in their quest to impart knowledge on the youth of this nation. The most influential part of this process is when we receive input from teachers. Teachers asked for the 3Cam Document Camera, and so we built it. Teachers are concerned about early literacy, so, we asked them to help us develop Letters alive. Teachers are at the heart of this company and the source of our prosperity.

Here is what I'm asking: what can we do for you? What concepts do you find your students struggling the most with? What tools would you like to improve upon. Do you have technology in your classroom our in your everyday life that you just don't understand? We, I, my team, would all love the opportunity to serve you in this way.

Please think about this a little this weekend as you enjoy the end of the winter weather and let me know what you think.

New Product - Recordex Projector Screens

With so many teachers using projectors in the classroom, finding the right screen for a good price has been a difficult issue. Here are a few options for your consideration.

We are now offering the Recordex line of presentation screens through our Web Store. These screens come in six models, with a wide array of sizes and specifications for each.

The LuxFrame model is a black velvet-framed screen fixed on a lightweight, yet durable, aluminum mounting. The screen is optimized for HD display, with a micro-textured surface designed to provide greater contrast and tighter imaging, and surrounded by a light-absorbing black matte border. Five different sizes are available, in both 4:3 (dimensions: 60”x80”, 69”x92” and 108”x144”) and 16:9 aspect ratios (dimensions: 53”x94” and 59”x105”).

Magnifica Electric screens are motor-controlled retractable hanging displays, which operate either manually or with an included IR remote. The screen uses Recordex’s Ultra3 Matte White surface to provide greater color display and wider optimal viewing angles. 11 sizes are available—in 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9 aspect ratios—in dimensions ranging from 50”x67” to 117”x156”.

The MicroLite Tabletop Screen is designed for ease in traveling and on-the-road presentations. Retracted, its size is roughly equivalent to a folded umbrella. Its screen uses the Ultra3 Matte White surface, and is surrounded by a light-absorbing black matte border. Available in the 4:3 aspect ratio, in both 24”x32” and 30”x40” dimensions.

The ReTract Plus model—a hanging, manually-retractable model—was designed for the school or training environment, and manufactured using the MaxFlat process in order to eliminate surface anomalies. Its screen features the Ultra3 Matte White surface with a four-side light-absorbing black matte border. 21 sizes are available in a range of aspect ratios (1:1, 4:3, 16:9 and the new 16:10 ratio), in dimensions ranging from 50”x50” to 87”x116”.

The TheaterNow! Pullup Screen uses the PerfectLift pneumatic lift system to provide ease in set-up, with a lightweight, durable matte black aluminum housing. It has foldable feet for added stability, and a large carry handle for ease of transport. The screen uses the Ultra3 Matte White surface, surrounded by a light-absorbing black matte border. Five sizes are available in both 4:3 (dimensions: 36”x48”, 48”x64” and 59”x79”) and 16:9 aspect ratios (dimensions: 36”x64” and 44”x78”).

TriMaxx Advanced Tripod screens are constructed using tubular, scratch resistant tripod frames to combine light weight with added stability and durability. It has a standard keystone eliminator to provide optimal display, and the screen uses the Ultra3 Matte White surface finish surrounded by a light-absorbing matte black border. Available in the 1:1 aspect ratio, four sizes are available (60”x60”, 70”x70”, 80”x80” and 96”x96”).

-Brian B.

Reform Education - Fight With Tools

There is a war going on for the attention of our students that is fought daily. If we don't take the steps necessary to reform the education system and update the way we engage students, we will loose. No one is going to do it for us.

Sorry if this is beginning to sound like a revolution piece. But, maybe, that's what we need right now (queue the drum roll and march). How do pens and pencils stand against touch screens and the constant barrage of multimedia that our children are exposed to daily? Have you seen the video of the kid in a mech-warrior suit? How are we supposed to compete with this?

The truth is we can't. Competition is not the answer. If we embrace technology and specialize it to be used in our classrooms, that is how our kids will thrive. Notebooks can be replaced with digital notebooks programs, chalk boards give way to interactive white boards, and 3D technology finds its rightful place - as a part of everyday lessons.

We, the entire education body, need to change the way we react towards "new" technology. Stop thinking that technology is a monster, spawned to distract and confuse our kids. Instead, start looking at technology as the tool by which our children can absorb large packets of information and retain it in a manner that promotes imaginative thinking, ingenuity, and a low-stress working environment.

Take the Hill!

Can we put one more project on the heap this week? I'm not complaining - I'm just saying. I know that I don't just speak for myself when I say that there are quite a few people around this place that have been missing out on some quality XBox time (World of Warcraft, Wii...pick your poison). The contrast from end-of-year activity to First-Quarter productivity is quite the thing to see.

Personally, I love it. I'm fired up! Between the amazing reception of the Letters alive curriculum software at FETC and all of the other projects we have going on around here, I think that everyone in the company has something to be excited about.

I wasn't part of the FETC Team, but, our own Lisa K. has been contributing blogs about her experience at the Florida event. Basically, Letters alive was the thing to see. Our team passed out AR alive t-shirts and if you got one...congrats! The display monitors at our booth during this event used a combination of a 3Cam and our software to make one of the Letters alive animals pop out of the wearer's shirt. I heard one story that a person ducked and ran when the animal jumped out. Awesome! Kids are going to LOVE this.

If you, like me, didn't get the opportunity to see Letters alive in action at FETC, don't despair. Faith cooked up a nice little recap of the presentation. So check out the video below. In the mean time, I plan to go home and rekindle my relationship with my XBox.

Florida FETC: Day 2

Well, day two is in the books and tired, aching feet can't diminish the thrill we all got just watching our booth fill up with people eager to learn about Letters alive.

I've been a trade show coordinator for a long time with several different companies in the pharmaceutical, media, and, now, the education industries -  I can tell you that I have NEVER seen booth traffic like we experienced today.

It wasn't just a steady flow of people, it was mobs of people anxious and eager to learn about Letters alive and it never stopped!

They came and then came back bringing friends. They video taped and called principals and administrators on the phone while the demonstration was going on to say, "We've got to have this!"

I've never seen anything like it. I even heard teachers doing an impromptu cheer for AR alive complete with hand and body motions!  That's a first.

If the teachers, administrators, and principals (and me) are this excited over this product, the students are going to be something to see.

So, tired feet may be the by-product of a day spent working hard, but, the true result is the thrill we are all getting just seeing everyone's excitement over Letters alive.

By the way, today my shirt had a rooster, a cow, a lion and a shark - you can eat all of those except the lion...did I mention we missed lunch? :)

Tomorrow is the last day, let's see what excitement it brings.


-Lisa K.

Dateline Orlando, Florida - FETC :)

It's an exciting time for Logical Choice Technologies as we launch our newest curriculum software, Letters alive at FETC in Orlando, Florida.

It's heating up outside with balmy breezes and temperatures in the 80's. But, inside the Orange County Convention Center is really where you can find the hottest thing in education curriculum at booth 1501.

As the tradeshow coordinator, it is my job to make sure everything is running correctly, in place and ready to go for our staff to have an issue-free show and our customers and potential customers to see LCT in our best light.

It takes hours and hours of planning and hard work to pull it all together and make sure all of the details are covered, but it was so worth it when I got to see the faces of everyone who visited our booth tonight reacting to Heather's demonstration of Letters alive. It was really exciting and fun. People were actually crowding around to see as she brought the Letters alive curriculum to life.

As LCT staff, we each get to wear our own AR alive T-Shirts and I think I had more fun than anyone seeing which animal would pop out of my T-shirt next.

I had an elephant, a narwal, a quail, a shark, an orangatan, a vulture, and a jaguar (my high school mascot!) before time ran out on our 2 hour reception time on the showroom floor.

People were lining up to see what would happen on their shirts, too. We reminded them to keep a look out for our two spotters who will be checking to see if they are wearing their AR alive T-shirts over the next two days so that they can win a Visa giftcard.

It will be a long couple of days but I know that we will all have fun as we introduce our new, exciting product to everyone.

I can't wait to see what animals will appear on my T-shirt tomorrow and I'm sure the people who got their shirts tonight will come back by to see what theirs show, too.

Stay tuned for day two of FETC from beautiful Orlando, Florida!

-Lisa K.