“Hello friends and fellow educators,
My name is Aamir Fidai and I am a Mathematics teacher. Two things to make clear before we go any further, I am not an engineer and this is simply a prototype of an attempt at providing teacher in under-resourced classrooms with an equitable technology solution. There are a whole list of improvements that can be made to this design and time permitting I will share updates with you as they become available.
What is this prototype?
This micro-adjustable document (non)-camera is a simple device that Math/Science/Physics teachers or the sponsors of STEM or Math club may want to build with their students to expose them to the engineering design process while solving a real-life problem of lack of technological resources in the classroom. This project makes use of Arduino Uno R3, L288N H-Bridge Motor driver, and a NEMA 17 stepper motor along with other components.
Classroom benefits of this device
This document non-camera has two phone holder position to accommodate different size document needs. My goal with this prototype is to provide teachers in under-resourced classroom with ability to do the following:
1. Use their own cell phone as a document camera to show notes and other material on projector (or Tv screen) using common video messaging software such as Skype.
2. Allow students to share their work from their desk with ease.
3. Record lesson videos for students.
4. Use cell phones as document scanners without running into vibration issue.
5. Increase student engagement and participation by making classroom an interactive place.
Power Requirements:
The document (non)- camera is battery operated and can be operated using 5 AA batteries or a 9v battery. Alternatively it can also be operated using 2-18650 batteries. I made my battery pack by sourcing two 18650 batteries out of a 24V power tool battery pack, but that is a whole another story.
My Objective:
I hope that this device helps you see that it is possible to employ low cost technology solutions to make classrooms more engaging and interactive. Also, it is my hope that the sponsors of STEM, Math, and Science clubs see that simple projects such as these can be used to engage students in engineering design activities. This project and other projects like this an be used within the framework of STEM Project-based learning (STEM PBL) to encourage scientific and engineering thinking.
My Promise as an Educator:
“I may fail while I try, But I will never fail at trying.”“