West Virginia Middle School Enhances Classroom Lessons with Technology
Case Study:
Park Middle School
Beckley, WV
Issue
At Park Middle School in West Virginia, educators realize the importance of integrating technology into the classroom. Properly applied, education technology enhances lessons, engages students, and fosters teacher professional development. Given these considerations, principal Marsha Smith welcomes suggestions from her staff on new additions to the school’s technology offerings.
Located in the hub of southern West Virginia, Park Middle School serves 433 students in Raleigh County. Like many schools, providing students with technology that promotes enhanced learning is a priority. Using a combination of robust audio-visual devices, interactive software and other resources, teachers are able to build students’ 21st century skills, and prepare them for high school and beyond.
With this in mind, Smith turned to her staff for input on new purchases. After polling the teachers, she concluded that many were keen to incorporate a document camera in their classrooms, as it was new technology that had yet been introduced. Not only did teachers want to add more technology to daily activities, but they also wanted a product that wouldn’t disrupt lessons. In addition, Smith was looking for a product that was reasonably priced, but one that would still provide a quality experience.
Implementation
After weighing the options, Smith purchased Diggiditto® Smart Document Cameras (DC596), developed by Califone® International, Inc, for the school. The Diggiditto includes the features expected in a standard document camera, but also comes with proprietary software that enables its use as a content development tool.
Equipped with an internal microphone, educators can use the camera to record movies and link sounds to other files for playback in teacher- or student-created presentations and tutorials. It also can recognize saved images for later display. In addition, teachers are able to use the camera in conjunction with a computer for real-time projection of lessons and presentations on a standard display screen, a TV, an electronic whiteboard, or a PDP screen.
Software included with the Diggiditto allows users to annotate information projected on a screen. Users can choose from four annotation backgrounds, and specify pen color, width and transparency, allowing them to write on top of pictures or desktops and draw geometrical shapes. Furthermore, Califone has partnered with GradeCam, Inc., to provide teachers instant access to student data using the company’s proprietary test scanning and grading software.
“Overall, I liked that the Califone document camera was economically priced,” said Smith. “The camera does exactly what we want, and I felt it was very comparable to more expensive options in terms of quality and features.”
Results
“Once we received the document cameras, teachers had staff development training on how to use them,” continued Smith. “Now, the cameras are used on a daily basis in all classrooms.”
While Smith only purchased six Diggiditto Smart Document Cameras, the Raleigh County School Board purchased additional cameras to be used throughout the county’s five middle schools. With greater availability, most Park Middle School teachers are able to incorporate the product into lessons for a range of subjects, including art, physical education and Spanish.
“The teachers work well together and are able to manage use of the cameras well,” said Smith. “Integrating the cameras has allowed teachers to better engage their students, who find the new technology intriguing.”
Although teachers can incorporate audio from their laptops while using the Diggiditto, most pair the camera with a projector to display images and interactive lessons on screen.
Additional Information
Included with the Diggiditto was software from GradeCam, which allows teachers to scan and grade multiple-choice tests and other assignments instantly, helping to ease a time-consuming administrative burden. Regular assessments provide a framework for understanding each student’s challenges and successes, and the assessment data provided by GradeCam allows a teacher to tailor instruction to meet each student’s learning needs.
In addition, GradeCam can be used to quickly transfer scores from graded papers into a grade book and to scan or post scores for student work. GradeCam works with all electronic grade books, including (but not limited to) AERIES, Edline, Pinnacle Grade, GradeSpeed, Illuminate Education, Infinite Campus, PowerTeacher, School Loop & Skyward.
Product Links
Diggiditto™ Smart Document Camera
