Yes, today’s post is another freebie for teachers featuring webcam feeds you could be incorporating into your classroom. Consider these as teleportation devices to many of the world’s greatest landmarks, national parks, and historical significance. In addition they are virtual eyes that allow students to study animal behavior patterns and habitats. Possibly they could be regarded as voyeuristic tools where students can ride along with a big rig truck driver or observe the physics of skateboard parks. The choices are vast, but they do bring a bit of the outside world into the walls of your classroom.
As I was gathering these sites, I have come to a few conclusions.
First, webcam technology is drastically improving. I did find many cameras allowed the viewer to take virtual control of the camera. Students can zoom, move the camera around, and even switch camera feeds.
Secondly, some of the best webcam feeds have been disabled and replaced with better internet broadcasting. The concept is the same, except the image is fluid and more of a television show feed. I do believe this is going to be the mainstream for webcams within the next few months, so I will most likely be making modifications to this blog post periodically.
Finally, Google Earth’s new webcam layer and versatility is definitely on the rise making classroom discussions more interactive. To view webcam locations you must have the latest version of Google Earth. You'll see it in the Geographic Web->Preview layer. Or, you can look for it under Gallery->Webcams.travel. You’ll be looking for oval shaped icons. Click on it, and a popup will give you a screen shot and a link to view the camera live such as this YouTube tutorial:
The webcams I have listed here are direct links, however. I’ve divided these webcam feeds by topic of animals, landforms, geography/travel, history/social studies, and science with hopes that you will find one or two treasures.
Before you go exploring, be sure to check out ReadWriteThink: Lesson Plan: Webcams in the Classroom: Animal Inquiry and Observation and these lesson ideas on students using webcams in the classroom.
Animals and Insects
Site | Notes | Interactive | Image Refresh Time |
Chat Room feature is available for collaborative discussions | Live video and audio | ||
Yes, they are nearly life sized on the screen. I guarantee you will hear “Ewww” and “Cool” from students. | 30 seconds with user refreshing browser | ||
Africa Web Cams - live pictures of the world's biggest elephants | This camera is only available during the African daylight hours | 15 seconds | |
Scroll down to view aquatic life found in the Amazon River | Live | ||
Two cameras follow bald eagles in this Oklahoma eagle sanctuary | Live | ||
This webcam’s success will vary on which internet browser you use. Safari and Firefox are preferred | Yes | Live | |
Many Brazilian birds visit this feeder all day. Great for a rainforest unit. To avoid the chat room talk, make the webcam full screen | Live | ||
Nice view of butterflies stopping on occasion for a little snack | 15 seconds | ||
You never know if the cheetahs will be in view, but you might get lucky | Live | ||
Get a rare look inside a bald eagle’s nest | Live | ||
You never know when the elephants will be strolling by | Live | ||
Great camera to view alligators behavior | Yes | Live | |
Large image to see how giraffes interact with one another and zoo guests | 60 seconds | ||
Watch goats and visitors live with audio from Oregon | Live | ||
Only available during the UK daylight hours | Yes | 10 seconds | |
Have you ever seen a hummingbird up close? This is your chance and her nest too. To avoid the chat room talk, make the webcam full screen | Live | ||
Check out to see what lions do all day | Live | ||
Take a look at the dolphin or turtle tanks to see what’s happening at the aquarium | Yes | Live | |
This Florida webcam features life in an orangutan zoo habitat. | 10 seconds | ||
A terrific website and camera feed allow you to observe and learn about pandas | Live | ||
Depending on the day, you might see rock hoppers, gentoos, and King penguins | Live | ||
Gentoo penguins are the focus of this Antarctic webcam | Unknown | ||
This camera is placed inside the nesting box of a peregrine falcon so activity might be varied throughout the day | 30 seconds | ||
Observe polar bears as they play and explore their zoo exhibit | Live | ||
Follow the behavior patterns and activities of sea lions throughout the day | Live | ||
Pull down the menu to view other cams from the aquarium | Live | ||
You will need RealPlayer to view this wonderful webcam feed from Pete’s Pond 24 hours a day | Live | ||
Live television feed from African bush. You might see a number of animals from the Savannah here | Live |
Landforms
Site | Notes | Interactive | Image Refresh Time |
Large panoramic image of the beach | 10 seconds | ||
Large panoramic image in the Everglades | Rewind | Hourly | |
7 camera feeds from all around Glacier National Park | 60 seconds | ||
6 camera feeds available showing different views of the canyon | 10 minutes | ||
Includes weather data and a great image of the canyon | Few Features | Hourly | |
A beautiful view from the Gulf Islands National Park | 2 minutes | ||
Watch the millions of gallons spill over the falls | Yes | Live | |
Mountain view | Hourly | ||
Watch Old Faithful Geyser all day | Live | ||
Stunning mountain view | unknown | ||
Stunning view of the Rocky Mountains | 15 minutes | ||
View the scenery of Sedona, Arizona from 2 cameras | Live | ||
Includes current weather data | Few features | Hourly | |
This webcam is used to help test air quality in the national park, and the view is stunning | Unknown |
Geography/Travel
Site | Notes | Interactive | Image Refresh Time |
Several cameras to control of the San Francisco Bay Area | Yes | Live | |
Four different webcam feeds from across the Antarctic station allows students to view life in the coldest place on earth | 10 minutes | ||
Voted most interesting webcam of 2008, virtually ride along in this big rig with an excellent view of the open road 24/7 | Live | ||
Scroll down to view several webcam feeds of Cape Town including scenic views | Unknown | ||
BBC holds a main page that links several webcams across England including those inside of BBC television studios | Varies | ||
Many cameras streaming from all over India | 8 seconds | ||
Not a crystal clear feed, but still gives a demonstration for students on how lighthouses work | 3 seconds | ||
An impressive panoramic view of London, especially at night | Live | ||
See what happens in the city that never sleeps | Yes | Live | |
Click on the second webcam for a full screen image | 15 minutes | ||
Six camera feeds from across Vatican City are available | 2 minutes |
History/Social Studies
Site | Notes | Interactive | Image Refresh Time |
View progress on the rebuilding efforts at Ground Zero | Live | ||
A nice view of the area around the museum and the tree about which Anne Frank wrote | unknown | ||
Could be a conversational piece during a Civil War Unit | 30 seconds | ||
Not a great feed | 6 minutes | ||
Not a great feed, but definitely gives you a scenic view of Mt. Rushmore | Unknown | ||
What does Mt. Vesuvius look like today compared to ancient times? This might give you an idea | 30 seconds but user must refresh browser | ||
Currently a slideshow is available, but webcams should be up soon | Unknown | ||
Track Lady Liberty throughout the day | Live |
Science
Site | Notes | Interactive | Image Refresh Time |
Watch planes take off and land. Scroll down to see earlier photos | 60 seconds | ||
Watch as these scientists work in a controlled environment to test the Big Bang Theory | 30 minutes | ||
15 Channels of NASA television available. | Live | ||
Three different camera feeds to see life in a pond | Live | ||
Physics at its best. Using two different camera feeds discover the science of skateboarding | Yes | Live | |
Weekly interactive science show for grades 5-12 on current events with NASA and the Cosmosphere. You can view recorded shows or watch live every Thursday 11am Central | Chatroom feature open during live feed | Weekly | |
Take a peek at the large telescope located in Hawaii. Sorry it’s only an outside view | 60 seconds | ||
Current conditions on Mount St. Helens along with a news blog are available when weather is good | 60 seconds | ||
Watch 24/7 vessels come in and out of the locks | 15 seconds | ||
Depending on what is going on at NASA, you might be able to view live images from the shuttle or space station | Live |
