Staying focused during online lectures is a challenge for many college students, but with invention of a new mobile Lightboard, it may be a little easier for students to stay focused while viewing online lecture videos.
The Emporia Gazette recently reported that online students at Emporia State University are benefitting from a mobile Lightboard that shows presenters’ faces and their writings simultaneously in video lectures.
This is a significant improvement from normal whiteboards or chalkboards, as instructors’ backs are turned towards students when writing on these surfaces. With the creation of the Lightboard, students are able to listen more attentively while an instructor is lecturing and writing at the same time, thanks to the ability to see both the instructor’s face and writing.
The Lightboard was designed by Anna Catterson, educational technology coordinator for Information Technology, and was introduced to Emporia State’s campus last month. Using a 3D printer, Catterson fabricated clips to hold the Lightboard’s lights, dimmer bracket, glass standoffs, fuse block and cover, and the power standoff. The Lightboard camera reverses the images on the Lightboard, ensuring the writing and notations are not backwards.
“There isn’t any iron in (the glass), so if you were to shine a light through the top or the bottom of the glass, it would illuminate any writing on it,” she said. “It’s extra-extra clear.”
Catterson hopes to build more Lightboards to enable other departments to leverage the new tool’s capabilities.
“It was a fun project, and we’re going to be building some more,” Catterson said. “There are a lot of options, and we’re very excited about this emerging technology.”
Beyond helping to engage students viewing lectures online, students are also able to record their own group projects and video presentations to use on the Lightboard. Users can edit their videos and add PowerPoint or other media, as well.
The Lightboard is a highly innovative lecture capture tool that could have a significant impact on higher education. By minimizing distractions and providing a more personal and engaging online learning experience, students can benefit from easy-to-watch , more personalized learning experience.
To learn more about a Lightboard’s capabilities, check out the video below, created by Michael Pehskin, a Northwestern University professor.
If you enjoyed this article and want to receive more valuable industry content like this, click here to sign up for our digital newsletters!
Leave a Reply