Crochet, the WI and the Docucam

One of the most impressive pieces of Technology we have at our disposal for teaching is the docucam IMHO, and I was thrilled to be able to use it again today.

I was asked by the Gloucestershire Federation WI to give a class on crochet.

A phone call last week informed me that the class was oversubscribed and could I take more students than my maximum? This is usually a difficult decision, as demonstrating crochet is quite a daunting task with large numbers when you try the traditional... "gather round" ...demonstration technique.

Using this traditional teaching technique there is also the consideration of mass disruption every time you wish to demonstrate. By using traditional methods with large numbers of students, means the merry - go - round of all your students getting out of their seats and standing around.. then going back to their seats trying to remember what you said and continuing with their work. Often a nuisance for both tutor and students.

So this morning 15 students arrived at Cherrington Village Hall to learn the art of crochet. We arranged 3 large tables with 5 chairs at each one, so the students were seated in groups.

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(students working)

Using the docucam meant the students never need to move out of their seats, and could see the demonstrations on the screen in real time and perhaps even more important they could follow along crocheting at the same time as I was demonstrating. Naturally this had the advantage that if they experienced a problem. I could easily do a quick replay of the technique or skill I was demonstrating. {Note to self.... make sure to have a manicure before using docucam, as hands are magnified onto the screen!}

(this is a photo of the screen with my rather anaemic hand demonstrating how to hold the yarn in the left hand)

Of course I also used the docucam to show patterns to the group, as well as finished crochet items and these are easily seen on the large screen.

The two and a half hours seemed to fly by this morning and I feel sure the learning was enhanced by the use of the docucam. The result of using this technology was a relaxed, hard working group of students who have asked me to return and teach them some more crochet skills. I am more than happy to do that with my trusty and wonderful docucam to help me.

NB -click on photos to enlarge.

So how do you use the docucam in your teaching?

Maggie H.

The docucam workshop at Gloucester rugby club.

What a fun day, and thank you to all those wonderful people who attended my workshops. Loved meeting you all and I was so impressed with the imaginative and enthusaistic response to the Docucam and all the ideas you had illustrating how you can use the docucams in your lessons..

Such a lot of talent was evident and the hardware was up and running very quickly, and then enthusiastically put through its paces

Thank you also to the organisers--- the venue was superb!

(click on any of the photos to enlarge)

There seem to be a lot of new blogger posts today, hope it continues, especially as I would love to know how you use the docucam with your learners.

Maggie Harris

Here's lookin' at you! & Docucam info.

This is the shot from the other side of the camera at our meeting on Monday. Two can play this game Gill.
Lizzie,Pleased to hear you are giving the docucam a go. Hope these step by step instructions are a help. The order in which you follow these instructions are important.. ...so I have numbered them in the correct sequence.
1. Connect docucam to the digital projector ( you do not need the laptop unless you wish to record) with the black S.Video lead.
2. Attach power lead to docucam and switch on.
3. Switch digital projector on.. it will then automatically search for an "input".
4. If the digital projector does not find the "input" on its own... then press the "source" button on the digital projector.
Let me know how you get on.... Maggie