Tech Talks 2019: Lightboard 2.0 Spotlight
The Division of Information Technology services (ITS) invited CSUSB faculty and staff on April 16th to the third annual ITS Tech Talks, an event in support of Graduation Initiative 2025. With over 200 attendees, Tech Talks was an informative hands-on technology expo that showcased a variety of the latest practices and tools, one technology in particular captured the attention of many attendees who eagerly stood in line.
Lightboard 2.0 made its first appearance at the Tech Talks 2019, where it showcased its frame of transparent glass with a section of the screen dedicated to showcase a graphic, whereas the other section allows a professor to write on the board with a dry erase day-glow marker as they look directly through the board.
The original Lightboard, Learning Glass, was designed by Dr. Matt Anderson. Anderson developed Learning Glass for instructors to write notes for students on a transparent board while keeping eye contact with students through the transparent board. Over the course of a year, ATI was inspired to take the original Lightboard one step further.
While Lightboard 2.0 is still in the experimentation phase, it differs from the original Lightboard. According to Academic Technology and Innovation (ATI) Assistant Director, James Trotter, he explains that professors can now utilize a board they can see through, write on, and refer to a graphic image that is projected onto the board.
The innovated technology aims to be a ready-to-use resource targeted specifically for faculty to utilize for online video instruction. A handful of professors had the opportunity to experience Lightboard 2.0 and shared their feedback.
“They love it! However, it needs a little tweaking here and there,” Trotter said.
Excited about the future of Lightboard 2.0, Trotter shares the expectation of the completion and implementation of the innovated technology within the upcoming months.
“The purpose of ATI is working with faculty, hearing what faculty have to say and finding those technologies that will help them be successful. Even then we work to tweak technologies to help solve whatever issue faculty may have.”