It was back to school time last year and I saw a pink locker shelf from Target. Being the pink addict that I am, I decided to get it and knew that I would do something with it. I brought it into my room and stared at it a few days while I was working when it finally hit me – I could put my iPad on it to turn it into a document camera!
Here is how it works:
1. Get a locker shelf! Any one will do, there may still be some out there on back to school clearance! The only important feature you need to look for is one that has a gridded top and not solid. The larger the grids the better!
3. Open your camera app on your iPad and put whatever you want to project (worksheet, book, anything!) underneath the top of the locker shelf.
4. Connect your iPad to your SMART board or whiteboard however you usually connect. I use airplay.
5. Voila! Your screen will show whatever is under your locker shelf via your camera. You can keep the camera app as long as you would like without taking a picture. Just use it to project what is happening!
Question! Do you have any good technology “hacks” for your classroom? I would love to hear about them!
Sarah Weck says
This is genius! Thanks for sharing! My document camera is way at the back of the room, which can be difficult. Now I can use my iPad from anywhere, and still keep it steady. Thank you!
Shine on in First Grade
Sarah Barnett says
Thanks so much for your comment, Sarah! I hope this works for you!
Sarah Weck says
This is genius! Thanks for sharing! My document camera is way at the back of the room, which can be difficult. Now I can use my iPad from anywhere, and still keep it steady. Thank you!
Shine on in First Grade
Lesa says
This is brilliant to use a cute pink one! I was about to get rid of some of those plastic coated wire shelves for plates and thought about the same thing when I was doing stop motion videos with students! 🙂 It worked pretty great!
Sarah Barnett says
Awesome idea!! I would love to do something like that! Thanks for sharing!
swtcutie says
I'm sorry I'm a little computer illiterate but #4 what's AirPlay?! Thanks
Sarah Barnett says
Hi! That is okay, I should have explained that better! I have Apple TV in my classroom. You can swipe up from the bottom of an iPad and choose AirPlay to have what is on the iPad project onto a screen. I project mine onto my SMART board. If you do not have Apple TV you will need to use a connector cable to do so. Hope this makes sense, let me know if it does not!