iSight in the Classroom

Charlene Chausis, Technology Trainer (Retired 2012)
Adlai E. Stevenson High School, Lincolnshire, IL
Apple Distinguished Educator 2003

Presented at the IL-TCE Conference
February 26, 2004

NICE Potpourri of Programs
May 4, 2004

Updated: Sept. 2004

 

Session Description:

Apple's new iSight camera can be used for more than video-conferencing. iSight packs much more power than most users initially realize.
Discover ways that iSight can be combined with some very inexpensive QuickTime-based software to create Time Lapse, Stop Motion video and QuickTime Object VR

Session Goals:
  • Introduce you to Apple‚Äôs iSight camera
  • Share resources to use with iSight
  • Provide ideas for classroom use
  • Demonstrate a variety of software tools

Apple's iSight Camera:

View the hardware specificatons at: http://www.apple.com/isight/

Lightweight and economical, the iSight is a great classroom tool.

Make Movies with iSight:  for Interviews, Narrations, Classroom Videos or Video Greetings
  • Learn cool things to do with your iSight from Derrick Story at http://macdevcenter.com (Click the "Quicktime and iMovie" in the side menu on the MacDevCenter site).

RECORD DIRECTLY TO YOUR COMPUTER:

  • iMovie 4: You can use an Apple iSight video camera as though it‚Äôs a camcorder. A new pop-up menu appears that lets you choose which video source you want to use for capturing new video. Edit directly in iMovie.
  • GCam: Direct recording in Quicktime format. Export to other formats and uses. (FREE) at: http://www.macmice.com/gcam.html
  • iRecord Now from Boinx ($14.95) Records directly to your hard drive in DV format. Edit in iMovie or Final Cut. -- http://www.irecordnow.com/
  • iStopMotion also from Boinx (Lite version is FREE, education price = < $36) Use for Time Lapse or Stop Motion --. http://www.iStopMotion.com/
  • BTV --($20) direct video capture, or BTV Pro (for time-lapse) -- http://www.bensoftware.com/btvpro.html -- ($40)
  • iCam Share -- ($14.95) Easily make videos or take snapshots that you can share in many ways, such as sharing your videos or pictures in e-mails. The step-by-step interface easily guides you through the process of capturing and sharing videos and pictures. No need to read a manual! Use your iSight for more than just iChat AV. Use it with your family and friends, even if they don't have a web cam, broadband, or even a Mac! http://www.arborbits.com/

QTVR:

  • PiXimation from Kaiden: http://www.kaidan.com/piximation/
    PiXiMation is a breakthrough new application that creates rotational object movies by hand with any free-spinning turntable such as a lazy-susan.

WEBCAST:

Classroom Resources:

Chat with experts

Video-conference

Go on; Virtual "field trips"

Collaborate with other classrooms and educators!

Have Fun!

Places to check out:

Tools to use:

  • iStorm:  A collaboration tool, that lets users work, talk, and think together. With iStorm, a user can open up a document, and immediately start brainstorming it with other collaborators over a network. Supports webcam snapshots and voice messages. -- http://www.mathgamehouse.com/istorm/
  • iVisit is proud to announce the launch of a global server solely for Educational use. "Schools.ivisit.net" is a subsidized server and software, provided and hosted by iVisit, for all K-12 institutions Any verified school can have 5 iVisit Plus annual accounts free to test and evaluate. If you wish to bring on a class or the entire school we have very cost effective packages to suit. Browse to http://www.ivisit.com and click Solutions.

Games to try:

 

Your iSight on a Tripod:

The iSight camera comes with 3 mounting brackets. One bracket "hangs" on the screen of a laptop, and the other 2 have double-sticky tape to mount on the top of a monitor, or back of a flat screen. By purchasing a 1/4-20 Hexigon coupling nut, I was able to mount my iSight onto a tripod. I purchased the nut at Lowes for .97 (in a package of 2) and used a utility knife to shave just a hair of the plastic at the inside of the base so that the coupling would fit snuggly to the mounting bracket:

            

 

Acknowledgements:

Special thanks to Apple Distinguished Educators: Jason Ediger (Program Specialist, Educational Technology, Orange County Department of Education) for providing much of the background information for this session, and Linda Trawick, Sharla LaBelle, and Julene Reed for their contributions and assistance in providing resources.

 

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