Webcams

Valerie Wolfe Kyle Evans Ashley Richardson

**Description: **
====A web cam is a device that is used for the computer that involves the use of the internet. A person can hook up a web cam to their computer and use it to communicate with others. The communication device allows for a person to see you and what you are doing, even if that person does not have a web cam themselves. It also allows people to communicate face to face, even with complete strangers. People can also use the web cam as a camera and allows someone to take pictures of themselves or objects as long as the computer with the web cam attached is within viewing range. Web cams can also be used in the work force for video conferencing and can allow people who are not able to attend the conference or meeting in person be there by way of computer and not miss anything. ====

**Impact: **
====The impact of webcams on K-12 schools, educators, and students has grown much more than it has before. The impact of webcams allows for an interactive learning environment between the students and educators; This represents a great opportunity for them to, not only, socialize, but develop relationships. It also allows for students to receive a hands on experience with technology now that most everything now-a-days is computerized. Webcams have become one of the most popular ways for people to get in touch and, as we have seen, its applicatins and benefits are countless as it cuts costs, saves money and energy and also provides users with a handy, quick and easy method of communication. ==== ====Although the impact of webcams can be significant for students, students can sometimes use the webcam for inexcusable acts. These acts can sometimes consist of Cybersex. Cybersex is a virtual sex encounter in which two or more persons connect remotely to a computer network and send each other sexually explicit messages describing their sexual experience. Educators have to become aware that with this new technology, students may take action in many different ways. To lessen this type of encounter from happening, webcams should be monitored at all times to assure a safe environment for all users. ====

**Integrating this topic into Daily Instruction: **
====Integrating webcams into instruction would not be useful in younger classrooms as it would be in high school and college classrooms. In middle school, high school and college classrooms, the teacher could record a lesson and have it play for the students if the teacher knew that they would not be able to be at school that day. A teacher could also hold a class by web cam to get students used to using one. If a student is absent from class, the teacher could record the class and the student could simply rewatch the entire class that they missed. While giving a speech, a student can be recorded to hear how loud and clear their vioce was and to time the length of their speech. Also, in a foreign language class, the class could video conference with students who speak that language to practice their communication. for example, a Spanish class could video conference with a Spanish speaking class from another country. Another example of where to use a video conference is in a science lab. A class could video conference with a lab in another school, college, or another state to compare results. Web cams can be used as a lesson to teach students the dangers that come with using one such as people invading your privacy or how they could be used in bullying. A teacher could use the recent events at Rutgers University where a boy committed suicide after being recorded by his roommates webcam and the webcam video being posted on the web. ====

**Additional Links: **

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 * http://teachwiki.wikispaces.com/Webcams
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