Lightboard, you say? #esulightitup

What is a Lightboard?

A lightboard resembles a regular whiteboard, however it is made from steel and a piece of glass. The glass is lit up with LED lights and faculty can record a lecture from behind the glass. The benefits of a lightboard is that students can see a faculty members face AND the instruction at the same time.
How do I use it?

You can schedule a recording time on the Lightboard calendar. Please email acatters@emporia.edu and ask to have access to the calendar and it will be shared with you. Once you have scheduled a time to record, an Instructional Designer will have the equipment ready including the camera, microphone and the board. When completed, your file will be electronically distributed to you. We recommend recording small learning bursts in 5-7 increments however, longer instructional videos can be recorded.

Are there any tips before I get started?

Yes! We have several tips and suggestions before coming to record your session. Here are some of our suggestions:

• Wear a solid color shirt (no patterns, stripes, plaids, etc.)
• When recording remember that the image will be mirrored. If pointing in one direction, it will mirror and you will actually be pointing the other direction.
• Use Neon Expo markers, these are provided to you when you begin the recording. Only Neon colors will work.
• After writing on the board, be conscious of where your face is in the writing. When elaborating on particular concepts, move aside the writing which allows the viewer to see your face free from any writing.
• We find it’s best to do this in a dark room with no lights and the dimmers on full power for the ultimate quality. However, you can choose to keep the lights on if you have a live audience, just lower the dimmer levels as you will not need as much light.
• Be sure the black material behind you is straight and free of wrinkles.
• Smile! Your students are able to see your face as you write – no more turning your back and head to the students!

~Anna

Anna is the Educational Technology Coordinator for Emporia State University. She can be reached at acatters@emporia.edu or by phone 620.341.5107.

Tips on using the lighboard

Now that the lightboard is built and part of Learning Technologies, we are now ready to put it to use. Some questions have came up and we wanted to take a minute and share some tips and tricks with you when recording with the lightboard. Here are just a few:

• Wear a solid color shirt (no patterns, stripes, plaids, etc.) 
• When recording remember that the image will be mirrored. If pointing in one direction, it will mirror and you will actually be pointing the other direction. 
• Use Neon Expo markers, these are provided to you when you begin the recording. Only Neon colors will work. 
• After writing on the board, be conscious of where your face is in the writing.
• When elaborating on particular concepts, move aside the writing which allows the viewer to see your face free from any writing.
• We find it’s best to do this in a dark room with no lights and the dimmers on full power for the ultimate quality. However, you can choose to keep the lights on if you have a live audience, just lower the dimmer levels as you will not need as much light.
• Be sure the black material behind you is straight and free of wrinkles.
• Smile! Your students are able to see your face as you write – no more turning your back and head to the students! 

For a complete checklist - click here!

Building a Lightboard

Learning Technologies at Emporia State University, recently has built a Lightboard, which can be used to record lectures and import into an online course. You can also use a Lightboard in a face-to-face course, though there are some other steps and equipment that are needed to accomplish this. Some departments at ESU have mentioned building their own lightboard and complete instructions with a parts list has been created to help those departments build one of their own. The directions are for a 6x4 lightboard therefore, if you are needing a smaller board or a board that could be used on top of a table, contact Learning Technologies for help in designing one that is specific to your needs.

First, why choose a Lightboard? This technology functions like a whiteboard, but video editing is minimal. This technology also allows your online students to see your face AND your instruction at the same time. Let's face it, staring at the back of someone's head during a lecture can be painful and obstructive to the content being presented. Having the lecturer's face visible through the glass while he/she writes on the glass is a step forward in engaging students in the online environment. PowerPoint or other media can also be displayed in the recording either through a piece of frosted transparency film OR through digital editing in post-production.

The Lightboard is really a tool to allow content to be displayed all the while the faculty members face is also seen. It allows instructors the ability to illustrate lessons with a diagram or explain a formula without blocking the written content with their bodies and without turning their backs to their students (Educause, 2014).

Contact Anna Catterson to receive a shared calendar to begin scheduling your recorded lectures OR if you wan to build your own Lightboard, follow these helpful guides:

1. 6x4 Lightboard Supply List
2. Preparing the Glass
3. 3D Printed Pieces
4. Construct the Frame
5. Connect the Electrical

Learning Technologies will be glad to assist you in developing your customized Lightboard, training on the Lightboard or just simply discuss ways in which the Lightboard can be adapted to fit your curriculum needs. 

Don't forget to Tweet your recordings or ideas at #ESULightitup! Let's see you Light it up!

More progress on the Lightboard...

The Learning Technologies department is making headway on the Lightboard. The frame is completed and now we are waiting for the glass installation to happen. Once the glass is installed, we can begin to connect the LED lights and start implementation. Are you interested in using the Lightboard for a class lecture or demonstration? Let us know how we can help - remember, you can reserve the Lightboard anytime.

Where is the light?

There's been some buzz going around the Teacher's College about building a "Lightboard", sometimes referred to as a glass board. Are you familiar with them? Learning Technologies has recently purchased the supplies to construct one and you will have the opportunity to reserve time to record using it. If you are not familiar with a Lightboard, review Michael Pehskin's, Professor at Northwestern University, video below:

Building a LightBoard is a little labor intensive and it's unfortunate that we can't buy them in stores! The only way to get a LightBoard is to build it. Our first LightBoard we are building will be 6x4 and have a very clear, Starphire glass. For more information contact Dr. Anna Catterson at acatters@emporia.edu! More to come on this exciting opportunity!