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When using the document camera as an overhead projector, you don't need to use your laptop. You'll connect your document camera directly to your projector (remove the dongle from the projector cable). This frees up your laptop for other things. Unlike an overhead projector, the document camera can be placed anywhere in the room as long as it can connect to your projector, it does not have to be in the middle of the room! Another great feature of the document camera is that anything shows up under the camera, there is no more need for transparencies! When a student brings in a fragile object for show and tell, you won't have to pass it around the room anymore, just put it under the document camera and project it on the screen for all to see. This also works well if you're trying to share a photo with the entire class. If you have a shiny photo or a shiny book cover you're trying to present, you might get a glare from the light. In your bag is an anti-glare sheet. Lay this over the photo or book. You might want to change the light settings on the document camera also.

**Freeze** This is a 'cool' feature! :) Let's say you're writing math problems on paper under the document camera for your students to copy and answer. You now have at least 5 problems and want to stop and put the answers on the paper. However, some students haven't finished writing the problems yet! Click on the freeze button. You'll find this on your document camera and on the remote control for your camera. When the freeze is on you'll be able to take your paper away, write the answers and put it back when your ready. The former image stays projected even when it isn't there! Just hit the freeze button again and you're back in business.

**Zoom & Pan** To zoom in close to the document click on the plus sign. If you go too far, click on the minus sign to go back out. If your document isn't quite in the right location under your camera sometimes you can just pan to place it where it needs to be. This is especially handy when you've zoomed into your picture. Use the up/down, right/left arrows to pan. Press the autofocus button after zooming.

**This YouTube Video explains zooming, effects and the timer feature. media type="youtube" key="hhaPsLwUurI" height="344" **

Author Jerrilyn Stover shows the power of reading a book using the document camera. media type="youtube" key="b5BKCBoQ70Y" height="344" width="425"