GradeCam - use a camera to grade bubble sheets quickly

GradeCam is a site that allows you to use a webcam or document camera to scan and grade bubble sheets from multiple choice exams, using any pen or pencil. Swipe the test under the camera, and it grades them and can even import the results into different gradebook software. 

The free account is limited, but there are other accounts that you can get if you are going to need more features. 

Here's a video introduction of GradeCam:

Eagle Cams - follow the adventures of eagles online

North Carolina State University has a great project going that educators can use in their classrooms. Eagle Cam. The camera monitors a Bald Eagle nest in North Carolina and you can view live video stream through USTREAM at http://www.ustream.tv/channel/jordan-lake-eaglecam .

This is a great way to show students what these magnificent creatures are like and use as an intro or grabber before doing a lesson on animals.

My wife, a high school Biology teacher, uses another eagle cam with her students - The Raptor Resource. They follow the development of the eagles from the building of the nest all the way through to the babies taking their first flight. This one also posts significant events videos on YouTube, so you won't miss it.

It's interesting, engaging, live, real, and a great educational resource.

Luna Interactive Projection Camera - full featured, multi-function, reasonable price

I usually write about free technology and resources for teachers, but when I find a product I like, I'll write about it even if it isn't free.

I've been using a Luna Interactive Projection Camera, from Learning Resources, for the last week and really like it.

The Luna Interactive Projection Camera is three tools in one. It's listed as for K-12, but I could see Higher Ed and even corporate users using it. It is easy to set up and use and includes a easy-to-use digital projection camera, a web cam, and a photo/video camera. It has a manufacturer's suggested price of $189.99.

It took about 2 min to install the software from the included CD-ROM. You can also download the latest software from the Learning Resources site. Then, you simply connect the Luna camera to your computer via USB port and you are off and running.

It features a 3.0 MP digital image resolution (looks very nice), an adjustable gooseneck, auto focus, 8 LED lights to illuminate your target, an internal microphone for audio recording and a SEN switch jack for special needs students.

It is very easy to use. There are two buttons on the camera itself. One is to turn on the lights, and the other is to take a still photo. The software allows you to adjust other settings, and control the camera, including rotating an image, zoom in or out, and taking video.

You can use it to project live video images, take still photos and videos with audio. This is a great tool for educators, as it allows you to show things to the whole class (like objects or documents), and even record your lessons. It can also be used as a webcam.

I've been using it to project pages from a book, lab equipment while explaining a lab, writing on paper and projecting it (when my back injury acts up), and I video and audio recorded a lesson the other day and posted the video for my students to use as review. And, this was all very easy to do.

There are no batteries required and it is powered through the USB cable from your computer. It is only listed as working on a Windows PC (XP, Vista, Windows7).

It is well designed and built, easy to use, full featured, and reasonably priced.






(Disclaimer: I was not paid for this review)

Smartphone Camera

I keep finding more uses for my smartphone camera. Today I took a picture of a magazine article so that I could read it later, took a picture of a memo on the wall so I wouldn't have to copy down the info, and even took a picture of a website on a computer screen, again so I wouldn't have to write it down.

I then use an application called "BugMe" for Palm OS that takes a screen shot, in this case of the picture, and allows me to annotate it and even set a reminder alarm.

You can do much of this with any camera phone or smartphone. Put that camera to good use.