A webcam is a video camera that can be placed on top of the computer monitor. It is connected to the internet and sends live and recorded video to users at regular intervals. With the help of built in microphones one can see and chat online.

To use a simple webcam one needs:

1. The camera and its software .The software is given along with the camera on a CD.One has to run the CD to install it.
2. Software to run the camera online .It is provided sometimes with the camera or one can use popular software or online services. This could be an instant messenger program like Yahoo Messenger,AOL Instant Messenger,ICQ,Net Messenger or a videoconferencing program like Microsoft Net Meeting which comes with Internet Explorer or Quicknet Technology's CU-SeeMe software
3. Internet connection .If one needs videoconferencing regularly then broadband is advisable.

To Start

After the web cam is installed, go to Web cam icon displayed on top of the chat window. If not displayed as Icon go to Action or options or Tools pull-down menu. In Windows Instant Messenger the words Start Camera are on the right-hand side of the screen. It is also possible to adjust the volume, window size and video resolution with IM options. The person on the other end also needs a webcam to visually chat.

Click on Web cam icon and it will send an invitation to other user to view the webcam pictures .This will start the session .One can receive invitation to view other user’s webcam, which if accepted the pictures and videos of the other user can be viewed.

Effective use of Web Cam for educational purposes

Video conferencing

Educationists use it to let students interact, ask questions, receive answers on the spot from experts and other students around the world. The students can watch important experiments, events and competitions of international standards.
One of the excellent uses of videoconferencing is for deaf students to communicate with other deaf students and teachers.

Tutoring

Students use it as means of communication outside school hours with their teacher to clear doubts especially while working on a project based on building a model, working on craft work or studying maps, exchanging files etc. Within school hours students can use it to share their work, as well as their pictures or of their classroom with students of other countries. Teachers also use it for after-school tutorials in Reading, Writing, Math and Spelling. Video email can also be sent wherein the other person will receive your email and click on a link to watch and listen to your message. They can even reply to you!(http://www.springdoo.com/HowItWorks.aspx)

Visiting cams online

Teachers and students access thousands of webcams across the world showing images of each and every topic imaginable, like important events, nature, cities, weather, space and animals etc. Two sites mentioned for reference are:

1. http://www.sandiegozoo.org/zoo/ex_panda_station.html
2. http://www.tryscience.org/livecams/live_cams.html

 
Setting web cam in class

Teachers use it in class to study experiments like spawning of a fish.

Benefits of use of webcams on students

1. To enhance imagination
2. To arouse curiosity
3. To increase understanding
4. To increase knowledge within a short time frame
5. To bring lessons to Life.
   
    

• http://www.education-world.com/a_tech/tech/tech100.shtml
• http://www.nist.gov/admin/cams_external/cams_ed_matls/customer_web_lookup.shtml
• http://www.bbc.co.uk/webwise/askbruce/articles/video/webcam_1.shtml
• http://www.springdoo.com/HowItWorks.aspx