The Wonderful World of WEBCAMS

Terminology Webcams are video capturing devices connected to computers or computer networks. Direct communication, where all parties involved in the communication are present at the same time (an event) is a form of synchronous communication. telephone conversation chat room event instant messaging Asynchronous communication does not require that all parties involved in the communication need to be present and available at the same time. e-mail discussion boards text messaging over cell phones.

What can you do with a webcam? sending video e-mail to family and friends videoconferencing with co-workers, students or other schools chatting in real-time with other webcam users in specialty chat rooms or other online chat forums recording lectures and conferences while taking notes using as a document camera, still camera, demonstration camera…

Videoconferencing and Video Chat Individuals or groups of students or teachers from around the globe can communicate about topics. Compare water samples, explore language and culture, construct virtual classrooms… Tools www.liveoffice.com www.vsee.com www.webmessenger.msn.com www.sightspeed.com www.skype.com

OneNote lets you record audio at the same time as you type. Well, any tape recorder can do that. What makes OneNote special is that if you click on your typed notes later, it starts playing back the audio that was recorded at that point.

Hook the Webcam to a LCD projector Document Camera Found a great handout in full color you want to share with a group? Have a small part or object that pertains to the topic? Hook the Webcam to a LCD projector and you have an instant document camera

Still Camera Take pictures… great for emailing still images, quick simple shots, record multi-step directions… www.cameroid.com www.flickr.com www.shutterfly.com

Movie Maker Record video and edit to make a movie Can insert movies into a PowerPoint

Screen Capture Capture what is happening on your screen with jing (http://www.jingproject.com/) Create a personalized tutorial with Camtasia (http://www.techsmith.com/camtasia.asp)

Other Cool Webcam Applications Extended Reality Webcam Games cameroid Smart Grid Augmented Reality