Review on 📸 IPEVO VZ-1 HD VGA/USB Dual-Mode Document Camera (CDVU-05IP): Enhance Visual Presentations with Clear and Versatile Imaging by Harley Franchetti

I'm a high school math/programming teacher and have been using a PolyVision brand LCD projector and smartboard for four years. The Polyvision board was provided through a government grant and unfortunately it was mass produced as cheaply as possible in order to install as many of these boards in as many classrooms as possible. At the end of 2013 it was a nightmare. I was looking for solutions that I could afford and that would allow me to bypass the procurement and budgeting bureaucracy (and avoid the technical office's records, which means they can take them from me at any time). For the price it was very affordable, ALTHOUGH it costs a lot more than other dock cameras on the market. Here are five reasons why you (as a teacher) should buy this one and not others. 1) Direct connection to an LCD projector is absolutely necessary! If your computer is offline for a whole day, don't worry - the document camera is not connected through your computer. If you're looking for technology that's "disaster-proof" in lesson planning, this is about as solid as it gets. Again, you pay x dollars more than others on the market, but working directly with an LCD projector in the classroom is totally worth it. 2) There are several "Image Size" settings, one of which is HD. I put 9 point to 36 point documents under the camera. The HD setting can capture the smallest fonts so students 20-30 feet away can still see. Need to raise? Just take your camera, press it against the paper and press the refocus button (or leave it in autofocus mode the whole time). There are other image sizes that display a longer (vertical) image. So if I need all the 8.5 x 11 paper on the screen, I can get it. 3) It is very easy to use. Plug it in, turn it on, play around with the settings for 5 minutes and you're ready to learn. 4) It's harder than you think. It's not a minus if you swing your hand and hit it; holds up relatively well. 5) This is an excellent instruction. Anything can go downhill - textbooks, novels, 3D models, artworks. When a student asks an equation-solving question, just grab their piece of paper and place it under the camera for the whole class to see - everyone can join the discussion, not just the two of you. If you're taking notes and you run out of space, you know the kids will be doing it too, so you can turn the paper over and signal them to do the same. Teaching students how to measure an angle on a chalkboard with a big, clunky protractor: difficult. Take the same paper your students have and the same protractor your students have and show them exactly what to do in real time on the big screen: efficiently and effectively. Absent student? Have a copy of all your written work from the previous day ready for reference. I could go on and on about why this is the best study tool I've ever had, but you don't have to listen anymore to know what I'm thinking. Buy this model because I give you a satisfaction guarantee under the "Teacher Oath" (if any) that it will work and your students will be happy with their ability to see clearly. Two things to consider when purchasing. First, be prepared to have a lot of paper on your desk; Organization is key. Second, keep your hands in good condition or get a good pointer. Children get to know their cuticles well! I also strongly recommend purchasing them yourself and not through the school district. If there's even the slightest chance they can take it from you, your plans are ruined.