What makes it a better solution? Albeit a bit "life hack"-y, this is something that requires no technical skill or support, and is easily assembled from household items, so very little outlay.

I don't think I'd concede that webcams are a better solution, when thinking as an underfunded body such as a school district who may have to provide support for potentially thousands of these webcams to work for all their teachers.

Furthermore, I don't think this is something that we should hold the individual teacher responsible for: teaching is already a full time job, and workers should not have to buy their own equipment to do their job with, something that already happens too much in that field.

I did also think the writing on the keyboard might prove problematic, but also the teacher could theoretically remove the notepad and place it back if they wished. It's a relatively "open" technique.

...plus a totally new structure to suspend the webcam the correct distance above the desk. Plus the hassle of switching video feeds constantly.

Reminds me a little of this: https://youtu.be/FmMzlehzU8c

(You’re off buying extruded aluminium rods to make the structure, while she’s... teaching her class.)