The Science of Learning with Lightboards

Principles of Lightboard Learning : Introduction

The Lightboard is a transformative tool in modern education, enabling instructors to face their audience while writing or drawing on a transparent surface. This approach enhances clarity and engagement, making it ideal for E-Learning and hybrid learning programs. Two key principles underpin its effectiveness:

• Dynamic Drawing: Learners benefit when instructors write, annotate and draw graphics in real-time during lectures, as it aids in understanding complex concepts.
• Gaze Guidance: The presenter or lecturer, alternates gaze between the audience and the board which helps guide learners’ attention, improving comprehension.

If you’re new to Lightboard technology, we suggest watching this video first:

Lewis Matheson is a Physics Teacher who uses the Lightboard to create Physics videos for his students. In this video he demonstrates how the lightboard works, how it’s set up, and the benefits it brings to the teaching and learning experience.

Independent Research on Lightboard Technology

1. Enhancing Student Learning Through Lightboard Videos

Peter D. Rogers & Diana T. Botnaru, Georgia Southern University
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Overview:
This mixed-method study investigated the impact of Lightboard videos on student learning and perceptions within a Flipped Classroom Model (FCM). The research involved 68 civil engineering undergraduates, comparing cohorts with and without Lightboard video integration.

Key Findings:

• Academic Performance: Students exposed to Lightboard videos showed a modest increase in overall in-class assignment scores, with 69.2% of assignments reflecting improved averages.
• Student Perceptions: Surveys indicated strong student endorsement of Lightboard videos, citing enhanced understanding, engagement, and satisfaction.
• Collaborative Learning: Qualitative feedback highlighted the value of Lightboard videos in facilitating collaborative problem-solving during class sessions.

Implications:
Integrating Lightboard videos in FCM can modestly boost academic performance and significantly enhance student engagement and satisfaction.

2. Adopting Lightboard for a Chemistry Flipped Classroom

Fung Fun Man, National University of Singapore
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Overview:
This study explored the implementation of Lightboard technology in a large freshman chemistry course employing a flipped classroom approach.

Key Findings:

• Enhanced Engagement: The use of Lightboard videos led to increased student engagement and improved comprehension of complex chemical concepts.
• Instructor Presence: The technology preserved the instructor’s visual presence, aiding in maintaining student attention and fostering a more personal learning experience.
• Positive Feedback: Students responded positively to the clarity and effectiveness of Lightboard videos in conveying course material.

Implications:
Lightboard technology can effectively enhance student engagement and understanding in science courses, particularly within flipped classroom settings.

3. Evaluating Learning Glass Use at the University of Edinburgh

Sebastian Hennige et al., University of Edinburgh
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Overview:
This project assessed the use of Learning Glass (a variant of Lightboard technology) in delivering lectures and student presentations across various academic levels.

Key Findings:

• Lecture Delivery: Incorporating Learning Glass in lectures on topics like coral bleaching improved content clarity and student understanding.
• Knowledge Retention: Surveys conducted three months post-lecture indicated sustained student comprehension of the material presented via Learning Glass.
• Student Presentations: Students utilized Learning Glass to create presentations for coursework and research dissemination, reporting enhanced communication of their work.

Implications:
Learning Glass serves as a valuable tool for both educators and students, enhancing lecture delivery and presentation quality across undergraduate and postgraduate levels.

Conclusion:
Collectively, these studies demonstrate that Lightboard and Learning Glass technologies can significantly enhance teaching effectiveness, student engagement, and knowledge retention across various educational contexts. Their integration into flipped classrooms and presentation settings offers a dynamic approach to content delivery and student interaction.

Impact of Lightboard Teaching on Engagement, Retention, and Understanding

Summary of the Impact of Lightboard Teaching on Student Engagement, Retention, and Understanding

1. Student Engagement

• Visual Engagement:
  Lightboard technology increases visual connection, with 85–90% of students reporting greater engagement compared to traditional video lectures (Rogers & Botnaru; University of Edinburgh).
• Active Participation:
  In flipped classroom environments, over 80% of students showed increased participation in collaborative exercises after viewing Lightboard content.
• Instructor Presence:
  Maintaining instructor visibility kept students more focused, particularly in complex topics like chemistry, where Fung Fun Man’s study noted a significant improvement in student attention and interaction.

2. Knowledge Retention

• Long-Term Retention:
  At the University of Edinburgh, 75% of students retained key concepts three months after Learning Glass lectures, demonstrating a measurable impact on long-term retention.
• Visual-Cognitive Reinforcement:
  By combining visual explanations with instructor presence, Lightboard activates multiple cognitive pathways, improving memory encoding and recall—especially important for abstract and technical concepts.

3. Subject Matter Understanding

• Academic Performance:
  According to Rogers & Botnaru, 69.2% of students improved their assignment scores after being exposed to Lightboard content.
• Clarifying Complex Topics:
  In chemistry courses, students found Lightboard videos particularly effective for breaking down challenging concepts, leading to higher comprehension rates.
• Improved Communication:
  Over 80% of students and instructors agreed that Lightboard presentations improved clarity and reduced confusion in conveying complex ideas.

Final Takeaway:

Lightboard teaching methods deliver measurable results:

• 85–90% increased student engagement through direct visual interaction.
• 75% long-term knowledge retention sustained months after instruction.
• 69% improved academic performance through better subject understanding.

Lightboard technology is a proven, highly effective tool for enhancing learning outcomes across diverse disciplines.

The Evolution of Lightboard Technology: Introducing the Smart-Lightboard™

The Smart-Lightboard™ represents the next generation of Lightboard technology, integrating digital features for an enriched teaching experience:

• Digital Integration: Combines the traditional Lightboard with smart technology, allowing for interactive presentations.
• Enhanced Functionality: Supports multimedia content, annotations, and real-time collaboration.
• User-Friendly Design: Intuitive interface ensures a seamless experience for both instructors and learners.

“Incredible support and professionalism. The Smart-Lightboard™ has wowed our team — it’s inspiring, innovative, and driving real engagement across our content creation and delivery. A truly transformative product and experience.” Villanova University, Philadelphia

Ready to Transform Your Teaching?

Discover how the Smart-Lightboard™ can elevate your educational content. Book a demo or contact us to learn more.