What is it?
A lightboard is a transparent writing surface that is positioned between the presenter and a video camera. This positioning allows the presenter to write on the board while also facing the audience. Lightboards often include iridescent lighting and neon markers, which help the text or drawings stand out on camera.
Carleton’s lightboard is installed in a reservable space in the Weitz Center (WCC Studio B, Control Room, WCC 38). In addition to the lightboard itself, the studio includes multiple cameras, microphones, a computer, document camera, a connection for an iPad, and a monitor. These devices are all connected together with an easy-to-use switcher.
Why is this useful?
Research indicates that eye contact can increase engagement — whether in face-to-face instruction, or in asynchronous or synchronous online instruction.
For synchronous online sessions, an instructor can simultaneously write on the lightboard AND see their students onscreen. Likewise, students are able to see their instructor’s face and the written demonstrations on the lightboard at the same time.
For asynchronous sessions, the lightboard allows instructors to create instructional videos while maintaining eye-contact with the camera, which is interpreted by the viewer as being more present. This “Personalization Principle” and other research-supported tips are available on Carleton’s “Perfect Instructional Video” page.
How Do I Use it at Carleton?
- Familiarize yourself with the instructions for using the lightboard and switcher.
- Schedule a session with PEPS staff to get trained on the equipment.
- Reserve the room with the lightboard. (The easiest way to do this is to send your date and time request as an email to Dann Hurlbert (dhurlbert).)
Additional Resources
- LTC blog post featuring David Liben-Nowell using a whiteboard at his home.
- ITS blog post featuring Aaron Heidgerken-Greene demonstrating the lightboard in the Makerspace in Anderson.
- Dann Hurlbert introducing the lightboard and switcher available in Weitz (below).
- Aaron Heidgerken-Greene demonstrating the lightboard in the Makerspace in Anderson (below).
CARE Strategies
Need a quick example or description of how one of our tools can be viewed through CARE?
Not sure what CARE is? Please see this blog post on CARE for more information.
Community: Incorporating a Light Board into the classroom demonstrates a commitment to utilizing technology to enhance learning, and engage the classroom community in an authentically, technological way. This can encourage students to explore and suggest other technological tools or platforms that could benefit the class.
Agency: Provides an instructor with an additional way to present information via a recorded video by overlaying handwritten notes.
Representation: Concepts can be visualized and explained with clarity using a Light Board. This clarity can help make challenging material understandable for everyone, but particularly for students who may doubt their abilities due to stereotype threat.
Equal Access: Visual content created with a Light Board can be beneficial for students who enjoy visual representation or have specific learning preferences, making learning more accessible. Incorporating subtitles or captions in recorded sessions, if you do a video overlay, can further enhance accessibility.
Want to help others out with CARE strategies and using a Light Board? Please enter your strategies in the Poll Everywhere section below. As a reminder regarding personal or sensitive information, these will be available to those who visit this site. General content moderation may be on, so your shared strategy responses may be delayed.