Using a Doc Cam and Screencastify

Credit for this idea goes to some PCR teachers who reported that they figured it out. After grabbing a spare doc cam from this tech office, I discovered how amazing this is! You are going to love it.

Materials: Document camera (many will have a power cord, be sure you have that) and USB cable (USB A to USB B); computer with open USB A port; Screencastify extension installed in Google Chrome.

Pictured: USB B port on the backside of the doc cam

Pictured: USB-B (squarish) to USB-A (flat, rectangular) cable 

Note: Some doc cams might be USB-A on both sides. I used an EPSON for this demo. 

1. Create a comfortable working space for you and your doc cam. It will seem like your best teaching friend returned from a trip. Enjoy the reunion.

2. Connect the power and USB cables to the doc cam.

3. Connect the USB A cable to your computer.

4. Power on the doc cam.

5. Open Google Chrome on your computer and click on the Screencastify icon (If you don't have this yet, visit screencastify.com and sign in with your school email address. This will get you the unlimited version).

6. This window will open and you can now choose your doc cam from the camera dropdown (see that mine now shows EPSON ELPDC21 as a choice).

7. Hit record and make the magic happen! You'll see a box appear on your screen with your doc cam image.

8. Don't panic if the image is transposed. Hover over the doc cam image and you'll find the page flip icon. It's next to the camera icon. 

9. The camera icon gives you the option to change the camera so you can move between demonstrating something and then talking directly to the students. 

10. The Screencastify controls will be in the bottom left of the window. 

If you get stuck anywhere along this list, please put in help ticket or shout out on Slack and we will assist you!

Happy teaching and learning. We are so proud of you.