My students need access to a document camera so the whole class can see the text on the projector screen, enlarged and easy to read--even for those with visual impairments.
A couple of my favorite parts of teaching students in special education are when they can be sincerely excited about getting to read (or participate in) something that their peers in a general education class are jealous of and when they are proud to be learning something that their friends don't necessarily get the chance to learn in a typical classroom.
My students range from 7th-12th grade, and they all have unique and special learning needs.
Many perform below grade level while others are exceptional in certain areas. The students all come from very different environments and socioeconomic backgrounds.
My Project
My students need to learn in the way that's best for them. For some, they need visuals to help them along. If we had access to a document camera in the classroom, I could project text/ pictures onto the board, big enough for everyone to see. The ones with visual impairments, or who simply forgot their glasses wouldn't be left out. Nor would the ones who can't find the page, or who are distracted by other items on their desk.
Having a document camera in the classroom would allow us to have class discussions about a particular portion of a text without having to take the time and paper to give each student their own copy.
We can produce writings together as a class, peer review math homework, answer impromptu questions posed by students, and we can see an interactive notebook being constructed. I can project a photo as a writing prompt or a short assignment for bellwork/exit tickets; I can even use it to review for tests. A document camera would help our classroom in so many ways!
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