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This is my first wiki and I am wondering just how I will be using this in my high school special education classes. I teach student resource centers and math. The fact that I have absolutely no idea what I am doing is a little unnerving.

Okay, on to another topic. Until yesterday I had never heard of a document camera and I have yet to see one in action. Have I had my head in the sand? But, I will tell you that I am excited about it’s possibilities in the classroom. According to [|Are **//Document//** **//Cameras//** the Next Big Thing?] By: Brooks-Young, Susan. T H E Journal, Jun2007, Vol. 34 Issue 6, p20-21, 2p, 1c; (//AN 25459301//), this hardware is now being used more than digital cameras in the cameras. The sheer versatility and reasonable cost are what draw me to this device. These work with Creating classrooms that are more visual and interactive is what is necessary to keep students at risk for dropping out in school and for providing the type of learning atmosphere that engages all students. The ease of use is a big thing to me as well. After recently being trained in a software program and then not being able to use it for 8 months, I find that I now need to take a class to relearn what I never had a chance to practice. While the writers of [|Creating a Rich Learning Environment.] T H E Journal, Jan2006, Vol. 33 Issue 6, p42-42, 1p; (//AN 23977311//), discuss learning stations that require “digital whiteboard, a //**document**// camera, personal student input devices, a wireless keyboard/mouse, and on-demand online resources” the document camera can easily be used with what the typical classroom has already – TV and computer monitor. If you are like me – check out these articles.

I feel the pain from being trained in something and then not being able to use it for 8+ months! That is one of the most frustrating things with regard to technology that most of us face...having the TIME to play with our new toys! We both chose the Creating a Rich Learning Environment article, which was interesting...as I read it I think how different my class would look if every student had a laptop and I had a digital whiteboard and a document camera. I actually am hoping that this will happen during the next school year with some Perkins monies we have available to spend...I'm equally excited to see how the new technologies can change to way I deliver instruction to my students!