ACTIVITY 3: Webcam passport

OverviewA webcam is a video camera, which feeds images in real time to a computer. Webcams are commonly used for video-calling, video conferencing, video security and to make general observations when not at the location, such as generating surf reports and weather observations.

AimHow does the climate and weather vary globally?

Objectives To understand global variations in weather To use webcams To annotate pictures with a variety of weather terms To identify locations around the world

TasksWebcam introduction

1. Ask students if they have used webcams, and if so how? Explain that in this activity students will use webcams positioned in different cities throughout the world to observe weather. Explain that students will explore the weather in different cities and countries using webcams. Open Explorer Builder

2. Students choose four webcams from different cities and present their findings on an Open Explorer. They will use the Open Explorer Builder to do this.

3. Prior to the class you will need to:i. Download Open Explorer Builder onto the student/teacher computers prior

to the class. You can download Open Explorer Builder from a variety of sources depending on your schools jurisdiction.

ii. Log onto www.ndlrn.edu.au/default.aspiii. ‘Teaching with Digital Resources’ CLICK ‘Access’.iv. ‘Access’ CLICK ‘Schools’.v. Select your appropriate school sector to find out how to access and

download the Open Explorer Builder (code TLF-ID L11611).vi. SEARCH Open Explorer Builder and follow the prompts to download the

resource. You can also download a detailed teacher’s guide. NOTE: Before students use the program, please familiarise yourself with it.

vii. Save a photo of a world map on the computers for students to access. Consider the copyright of photos. For free images check out www.freedigitalphotos.net/

4. Start Open Explorer Builder. Follow the prompts. Students create a new Explorer. Create a title, for instance James’ webcam passport. Students fill in an introduction to the Explorer. They describe the Explorer, for instance weather varies throughout the world. Students click ‘Create’.

5. Students add the main image – use the world map image previously saved.Students will return to the Open Explorer once that have saved the four web cam images and completed the planning template. Webcam selection

6. Students go to the following website: www.wunderground.com/webcams/index.html?range=intl

7. Students select four climatically different countries throughout the world from the ‘Active Webcams’ list. Scroll down. All the available webcams for that country will appear. Students select one webcam image. Another window opens, which enlarges the webcam

and provides some details of the site (City, country, temperature and current conditions). If students scroll down they can see webcams from the site from previous days.

8. For each city, students select one webcam photo. Click ‘latest image’ for information. Choose the best image. Save this image to the computer. Students use the information provided and the webcam photo to complete the Planning Template.Open Explorer Builder

9. In Open Explorer Builder, students click on the main image. An information symbol will appear. See right. Move the information symbol to the chosen cities location. Check back to the webcam website for the correct location.

10. Students click on the information symbol.11. Another window opens. Label the ‘Untilted location’, with the

‘City, Country’.12. Click ‘Show media’. See image on right.

‘Click to add media’. Add webcam image.

13. Click ‘ Show text’. See image on right.Under ‘Information’ add the text from your planning template.

14. Ensure students save as they go.15. Repeat the previous steps with the other three cities.

16. This is an example of a finished webcam passport.

17. Under the ‘Tour’ heading, create a tour. Read ‘Create a guided tour’ and follow the prompts. For the ‘slideshow delay’ choose 20 seconds.

18. Click the ‘Publish’ icon (see right) and choose the delivery method. Choose the web browser version.

Class presentation

19. It would be useful for students to present their Open Explorer to the class. This would enable students to draw comprehensive conclusions about how the weather varies globally. Once students have presented their findings, they should draw conclusions using the following focus questions. “Did the weather vary between cities/countries?” “If so, state these observations.”

Duration2 hours

Materials Journal – paper and pen style or digital journal Computer, netbook or laptop with internet access White board or interactive white board for teacher presentation Open Explorer Builder downloaded onto the student/teacher computers

NOTE: Make sure you are familiar with the program prior to the class. Remember there are comprehensive teacher notes supplied on the website.

Resourceswww.wunderground.com/webcams/index.html?range=intl

View weather conditions throughout the world as it happens. Active webcams are updated daily. Simply click on the country of choice and the active webcams will be displayed. This site includes map of the world,

www.weather-webcam.com/This weather webcam site includes live images from webcams and a map from various countries and cities.

http://search.earthcam.com/mapsearch/EarthCam in an interactive world map. Select the country and the program zooms to the location.

Suggested post activities

What to wearStudents need to imagine that a friend has chosen to visit the places that they have selected in the passport activity. They have to select suitable clothes items for them to take from the list given below. It is important that students justify their choices, as they will need to be suitable for each climate.

1. Students find a picture of a suitcase.Students could use Clip Art or the teacher could download a picture from a free digital image website such as www.freedigitalphotos.net/Import the picture to a word document.

2. At the top of the page type the name of the country, city and weather conditions.

3. Add the list of suitable clothes inside the picture of the suitcase.

List of possible clothes to take:

Thin woollen jumperThick woollen jumperLong sleeve topShort sleeve top

Cotton trousersLinen trousersTrack suitJeans

Cotton dressShorts

Thermal underwearCotton underwear

Thick tightsThick socksThin socks

Warm bootsTrainers with a good soleThongs

RaincoatThick raincoatShower proof jacketUmbrellaScarfGlovesInsect repellent

Sun tan lotion Lip balm