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Video conferencing is a major part of doing business in the 21st century. It facilitates visual communication with clients and colleagues anywhere and anytime. Moreover, a video call can save energy and money, and reduce environmental impact in some surprising (but significant) ways. With all the benefits, no wonder online meetings have become a go-to mode of communication for many businesses worldwide.
Keep on reading for an in-depth look at how video conferencing benefits your business, or visit the ViewSonic Workspace solutions for more ways to optimize the way you work.
Video conferencing in previous years has been limited by high costs and network latency. However, this is no longer the case. If the pandemic showed us one thing, is that more meetings are taking place virtually rather than in physical locations. Simply put, regular face-to-face meetings are slowly becoming a thing of the past.
Increased demand for video calling skyrocketed with the advent of remote and hybrid work. Now, the benefits are more far-reaching as online communication tools are continuously expanding. Working together has never been easier, and noticing this productivity change is fueling the growth of remote collaboration. The promise of video conferencing is to:
All the benefits revolve around one key point: We move faster towards our goals when we can see and interact with the people we’re working.
Online meetings have become critical to many companies’ collaboration strategies. Video conferencing systems run the gamut from basic laptops on a simple work desk to sophisticated telepresence suites. Thanks to the more reliable tech and lower prices, teleconferencing is transitioning to a core enterprise productivity tool. A steady stream of new tech has also hugely improved usability. Along with greater reliability, the total cost of ownership is dropping.
Lower costs, demand trends, and ease of use have been driving the expansion of video conferencing. Over the last couple of years, it even became a tool of vital importance for many businesses around the world, when lots of office employees were forced to switch to remote settings. Employees have always talked to one another, but now we’re more aware that collaborative, team-focused work environments can deliver incredible business advantages. Among the many research-demonstrated benefits, video collaboration has proven to:
Aside from reducing travel and commutes, there are plenty of other far-reaching benefits, such as decreasing the amount of time wasted in meetings. Below are some of the main reasons companies are using video conferencing more than ever before:
Travel costs add up quickly. Hold a video call and you eliminate costs for employee transportation, hotels, and meals. Customer entertainment expenses disappear. Reducing travel costs for just one employee far outweighs the expense of a VC system that can be used by the entire company. And video conferencing hardware has never been more accessible. From conference room cameras to video conferencing monitors, the setup prices have dropped over the last few years.
Yes, you can be in two places at once. Several, actually. And it’s all thanks to video conferencing. The implications for productivity are huge. While reduced travel requirements help key employees maximize their time, holding video calls with customers and partners around the world drives efficiency.
Video calls vastly reduce the misunderstandings that come from email and phone calls. With the latest all-in-one video conferencing tools, facial expressions and body language deliver a more complete message. VC participants are also more likely to speak up and clarify information. Additionally, they will stay more alert and focused when viewed by coworkers.
Overall, video conferencing maximizes your human resources. Projects can be completed faster and participants feel more in sync with each other and the meeting objectives.
Visual cues bring a level of efficiency not possible with audio calls. Because of this, participants get a lot more done via video conference like display mockups and demo products and that can help impress potential customers. Proponents admit it’s even more efficient than face-to-face meetings. Discussions can quickly get off track when everyone’s in the same room due to side comments and digressions. The structure of a video conference permits less room for small talk.
With video conferencing, tight time constraints and remote call-ins can facilitate a more focused discussion with less side chatter. With more interaction comes less distraction. Plus, when participants can be seen by colleagues, focus and contribution are higher. Sight-unseen phone calls can tempt participants to look at their smartphones, keep working on their laptop or browse the internet. At the same time, with products like high-quality conference speakers, everyone can hear and be heard clearly, which paired with good video, increases satisfaction and engagement levels.
If you have something you need to communicate right away, convene a video call. Whether it’s showing the demo of the latest product design, delivering critical info, or setting new goals, there’s no need to gather all key players in one place. Unlike in a phone conference, sharing your screen is enough to add a visual impact on those quotas, deadlines or strategic changes. Besides, you’re more in control of making sure your message gets across and is clearly understood by everyone.
Happy, healthy employees are productive employees. Video conferencing helps with both. Frequent travel takes a physical and emotional toll which can strongly affect the work-life balance. Replacing video calls results in greater health and job satisfaction. In turn, this boosts performance and productivity while helping reduce job turnover.
Telecommuting is on the rise and research shows working remotely translates to employee satisfaction. In a recent study conducted by Owl Labs, 77% of respondents say that having the possibility to work from home after the pandemic would make them happier.
Employees who travel less and video conference instead are healthier, happier, and more productive. Office flexibility also brings significant cost savings. Global Workplace Analytics, reported an annual savings of $11,000 per person per year when workers could work from home 50% of the time.
Human communication is complex: body language, eye contact, and tone of voice. At times, just the spoken word alone leaves too much for interpretation. Phone calls reveal tone but leave out body language, gestures, and facial expressions which are crucial for understanding. Let’s not underestimate, however, how crucial sound quality is. Not being able to hear someone clearly can generate frustration as more focus and energy is put on figuring out what someone is trying to say than on the goal of the meeting.
Personal understanding and connection are the keys to successful working relationships developed during video conferencing. Ultimately, it’s what generates effective collaboration.
As noted in the Harvard Business Review, such work camaraderie “promotes a group loyalty that results in a shared commitment to and discipline toward the work” while fostering the teamwork-oriented mentality. Video conferencing builds relationships, trust, and bonds among employees. Executives can hold meetings in real-time with global offices. Hybrid workers feel more included. Project managers see and interact with those they may never have the chance to meet in person. Suppliers deliver informative, visually impactful pitches. The possibilities for building more successful and lasting business relationships are virtually endless.
Business traveling takes a toll on the environment in many ways. Video conferencing is an energy-smart, economically viable way to attend or sponsor meetings. It’s environmentally friendly, too.
Reduced business travel helps with:
Replacing travel with conferencing has a deep environmental impact. It also makes economic sense. One study determined businesses with $1 billion or more in annual revenue adding video conferencing achieve ROI in as little as 15 months. Nearly 900 business trips would be eliminated in the first year. The environmental impact? A reduction of 2,271 metric tons of pollution over five years. That’s the greenhouse gas equivalent of removing 434 passenger vehicles from the road.
Each of the benefits listed above sharpens companies’ competitive edge. Teams that communicate via video calls share knowledge faster and more efficiently. This reduces time to market. Support departments establish personal customer relationships. Manufacturers can cut time and improve quality via video conferences. They can verify quality, propose changes, and ensure accuracy throughout the product lifecycle.
The range of options for implementing video conferencing systems has never been greater. Price points range from entry-level to extravagant. The business benefits of video conferencing are available to companies large and small. Options span hardware-based systems, software suites, and virtualized systems. Prices are also dropping in comparison to a few years ago.
The key point is to seek simplicity throughout the solution lifecycle. These systems are simple and easy to use. Look for solutions and partners that deliver ease of use. The ability of IT to monitor the software environment helps with any problems managing the system.
ViewSonic’s range of comprehensive video conferencing solutions includes displays, high-quality web cameras and speakers that support companies and individuals seeking to leverage the benefits of online meetings.
The vast array of products fulfills the needs of remote workers to small-sized companies, to big enterprises. From Video Conferencing Monitors, that elevate the home office experience, to impressive and cutting-edge dvLED displays with AIO conference cameras for small, medium, and large-sized conference rooms.
Conference rooms call for large screens. One large format display is the minimum, two or more is the trend. Interactivity on at least one display in the room has become the norm. Offering the ability to annotate and save presentation material helps even more, especially with online content sharing and saving tools.
Crystal clear images ensure video conferencing visibility in any environment. All-in-one Displays enable the easy setup of tiled video walls for even greater visual impact and versatility. To add value to video conferencing services, look for displays that come with interactivity and content-sharing options that are designed to deliver simplified meeting collaboration.
Interactive whiteboards are large-format interactive displays designed to amp up collaborative capability. Meetings become more engaging when multiple users write or draw on the display. Embedded annotation software makes it easy to highlight, edit, and transform documents and images on-screen in real-time.
Easily importing virtually any type of document or media file saves time and energy. The same goes for highlighting onscreen and annotating directly onto the integrated web browser. Save all screen content – including notes and edits – and record live meetings to save and share the experience. All on-screen annotations, macros, media files, and ambient audio are saved using the ViewSonic-exclusive record function.
To make content sharing even easier, ViewSonic has partnered with Intel Unite®. The ViewSonic® ViewBoard® Interactive Flat Panel Display is the first-ever interactive whiteboard solution to be Intel Unite® certified, transforming meeting rooms into smart, secure, and connected spaces. When a ViewBoard is embedded with Intel Unite, communication and content sharing are made easy.
Intel Unite can be embedded into ViewBoard via slot-in PCs like VPC12-WPO and VPC10-WP-2. With Intel Unite, you can manage your room’s VC from one single point of access. Collaboration is made easy by allowing users to connect and interact with meeting content in real-time, from any location where they have a corporate network connection.
Together, Intel Unite and ViewSonic offer enhanced visual collaboration and secure, unified communication – myViewBoard.com. Wirelessly share your screen with coworkers. Check out the Executive Brief for more info on how Intel and ViewSonic build team engagement with Interactive Whiteboards. It contains info on how digital collaboration works.
ViewSonic displays with an integrated webcam, dual speakers, and USB multimedia ports, deliver an immediate, all-in-one video conferencing solution. Large Format Displays come in a wide range of sizes to fit your conference room. ViewBoard® Cast is an easy content-sharing app used to share content across multiple users with screens.
Video conferencing as a communication tool is growing at a record rate. Businesses seek to reap the demonstrated benefits of added collaboration. Those that implement VC quickly experience the many benefits of videoconferencing.
Quantifiable benefits include reduced travel expenses and increased productivity. Even more impactful advantages span across improved communication, better business relationships, and greater meeting efficiency. With enhanced employee satisfaction and reduced environmental impact, the companies improve their improve competitive edge.
If you liked this article, you might also want to read about successful collaboration while telecommuting or head to our Workspace solutions page for more ways to create efficient and effective workspaces.
Office ergonomics are an important part of maintaining your health. Work-related injuries – especially repetitive strain injuries – are a leading cause of medical leave. It’s important to adjust the workspace to your needs. For most people, best practices will center around the monitor as it is the focal point of most office workers’ health. But don’t ignore desks and chairs. Luckily, we have a complete list of solutions for all three parts of your workstation.Read our complete guide to office ergonomics below for better health and more productive work. You can also visit our workplace solutions page for further insights into creating productive workspaces.
In fact, office work can actually affect your body in more damaging ways than many physically demanding tasks. After a long day at the office, have you ever felt a stiff neck, sore shoulders, or back pain? This is due to poor office ergonomics.
Research has shown that sitting for extended periods of time is actually doing harm to your spine, shoulders, back, and neck. Knowing this, it should come as no surprise that a majority of the discomfort you feel after a long workday is actually stemming from the design of your workspace.Moreover, when your workspace isn’t designed with office ergonomic features in mind, bodily discomfort can be felt even stronger. Here is the complete guide to help you to understand the dangers of poor office ergonomics and to set up a healthy office ergonomic environment.
Ergonomics (from the Greek word ergon meaning work and nomoi meaning natural laws), is, in essence, the study of designing equipment, devices, and processes that fit the human body. The two terms “human factors” and “ergonomics” are essentially synonymous. Ergonomics takes all human factors into consideration, including height, weight, sight, feel, etc.
Proper ergonomic design is necessary to prevent repetitive strain injuries and other musculoskeletal disorders, which can develop over time and can lead to long-term disability.
Ergonomic design is often factored into office products, hence the name office ergonomics. These products can include desks, chairs, keyboards, computer monitors, and everything else in between. One example of products designed with office ergonomics in mind is ViewSonic’s Office Ergonomic Monitor collection which has been designed specifically for the purpose of providing office monitors that improve comfort at work and reduce work-related injuries.
Ergonomically designing these types of products is particularly beneficial because a large number of people use them for extended periods of time every day. Using poorly designed or poorly positioned products in the office for extended periods of time can place unnecessary strain on the body.
Musculoskeletal injuries and vision problems are common injuries resulting from poor office ergonomics. Your workers can get injured when their bodies are required to adapt to tasks that overextend their bodies’ physical limitations. According to the Washington State Office Ergonomic Research, the single largest class of injury claims in the office is Work-related Musculoskeletal Disorders (WMSD’s). WMSD’s account for over 40% of workers’ compensation claims among office workers. These injuries are costing State Fund employers over $12 million per year in medical and time loss costs and are responsible for over 70,000 lost workdays per year.
WMSD’s account for over 40% of workers’ compensation claims among office workersBMC Public Health
WMSD’s account for over 40% of workers’ compensation claims among office workers
Due to the nature and severity of WMSD’s, they account for a lion’s share of injury costs – about 60% of total claim costs. WMSD’s are prolonged injuries that may become worse over time and therefore become costlier when compared to sudden injuries, such as a slip and fall. This also means that it can take a long time to get an employee back to work, resulting in even higher medical and time loss costs.
In addition, there can be higher hidden costs when workers use more sick leave or slow their work pace during the period before a claim is filed when WMSD symptoms begin to develop.
Technology has come a long way to improve our work lives. It has changed how we interact with others and our workspace. Everything on your desk, including your computer monitor, laptop, and keyboard, now plays an important role in daily work.
These advancements in technology have improved how we work. However, they also place unnecessary strain on our bodies over time.
Some companies have started to adapt to today’s working environment by creating more dynamic workspaces such as huddle areas. As a result, many people are developing unhealthy postures that affect their health without even realizing it.
Advancements in technology can be both helpful and harmful. They make our jobs easier but also create new workplace problems.
The Washington State Department of Labor and Industries has stated that soft tissue injuries in the body caused by WMSD’s include:
Spending long hours sitting or slouching toward your screen can strain your spine and lower back. Over time, this leads to persistent discomfort and stiffness in the back and shoulders.
Typing or using a mouse without proper wrist support can cause pain and discomfort. The pain may feel dull, sharp, or even burning.
Prolonged tension in the hands, wrists, elbows or your back. This can lead to swelling, inflammation, and stiff joints that limit movement.
Repetitive strain or poor posture can weaken muscles over time, reducing grip strength or control in your hands and arms.
Looking too high or low at your screen can tighten the muscles in your neck and shoulders. This can cause ongoing tension and pain.
Sitting still for long periods can restrict blood flow, making extremities, especially hands and feet, feel unusually cold or pale.
Holding the same position for too long can cause muscles in the neck, shoulders, and back to tighten and cramp.
Repetitive strain can reduce coordination, making fine hand movements clumsy or difficult over time.
Joint stiffness and muscle fatigue can make movement difficult. You may struggle to move your neck, shoulders, or wrists fully.
Sharp or pulling pain when performing normal motions, like turning your head or typing. This can signal repetitive strain or poor alignment.
In addition to creating a safer and healthier work environment, office ergonomics can also deliver the following benefits:
Good office ergonomics create safer, more comfortable workspaces. They also help people stay focused, motivated, and productive every day.
Comfort and proper posture help you focus better. You make fewer mistakes and produce higher-quality results.
Comfortable employees feel valued and motivated. A well-designed workspace encourages positive energy and teamwork.
Fewer injuries mean fewer absences. Ergonomic workplaces keep employees healthy and committed long term.
Correct monitor height and seating reduce eye strain and tension. You stay alert and engaged throughout the day.
The first step in implementing office ergonomics is to analyze the work environment you will be aiming to improve. What type of work is done there? What is the physical landscape like? Analyzing where potential problems may lie and applying the appropriate office ergonomic procedures should be your goal during this phase.
In most cases, only small changes will be needed to improve your office ergonomics. A company along with the help of employees together should be able to resolve most office ergonomics issues.
While unlikely, it is still possible that an entire office ergonomics overhaul will be needed. In this case, seeking professional consultation on how to improve your office ergonomics atmosphere may be a helpful resource.
Office work today involves a lot of time spent sitting. While it may seem harmless, this action day in and day out has the potential to damage our bodies. Unfortunately, most people won’t even realize this until they have already started to feel the effects of repetitive strain injury (RSI) stemming from a poor office ergonomic desk setup.
Easily overlooked mannerisms such as slouching and tensing your shoulders can be attributed as the root cause for more serious office-related injuries such as pinched nerves, headaches, and wrist injuries.
As it’s probably time to give your workspace an office ergonomics makeover. Here are a few things you’ll want to consider you’re working to keep you comfortable and injury-free.
Here are some tips for you to set up your workspace and help to establish healthy office ergonomics.
The computer screen is the center of your workstation. All of your attention is focused on it throughout the day. As it is the center of your workspace, improperly positioning your monitor can cause you to adjust your body in a damaging way as a result. Tilting your chin upwards or bending your head and upper body to accommodate for improper positioning is common when monitors aren’t positioned correctly.
This type of body positioning can become the sole culprit of why you are suddenly experiencing eyestrain, headaches, musculoskeletal injuries, and overall discomfort.
According to the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety, two factors must be considered when deciding how to rid yourself of postural discomfort resulting from the strain your body goes through to view your monitor.
Viewing angle refers to the degree above or below the imaginary horizontal line that starts at the viewer’s eyes and goes to the center of their computer screen. Poor viewing angles lead to postural (neck and shoulders) discomfort.
Viewing distance refers to the space between your eyes and your screen. Positioning your computer screen at an inappropriate distance contributes to eyestrain.
Existing recommendations for viewing angles and viewing distances differ from source to source. For this reason, they should not be taken as hard set rules but rather as guidelines that can be used as a starting point for improving your current situation.
Research shows that when your body is at rest your eyes naturally assume a downward line of sight. The amount of downward gaze ranges from about 15-30 degrees. The full range of eye movement is 60 degrees; people engaged in visually demanding tasks limit their downward eye movements to about 30. Based on the experimental findings above, it is safe to assume that placing your monitor at around 15 degrees below your horizontal line of sight will result in comfortable positioning for your body and help to establish healthy office ergonomics. The reasoning behind this is that this positioning will act as the center point between the 30 degrees of eye movement used at work by covering 15 degrees above and below your natural line of sight.
Studies have also concluded that people doing intensive visual work indicated that looking upwards above the horizontal line of sight is tiring. Looking below the horizontal line of sight, however, is not. Based on this information you can consider moving your monitor downward by up to another 15 degrees when finding the positioning most comfortable for your specific office ergonomics setup.
Since not all people’s bodies are the same, working on a monitor with a wide range of height, swivel, and tilt flexibility, such as the ViewSonic VG Series Monitors, is essential for finding the most comfortable monitor positioning for you.
It’s common for people to tell children not to sit too close to the television – and they’re right! The reason for this is that eyestrain is caused by the muscular effort required to focus on objects at close distances. Looking at objects that are further away has little to no impact on eye strain. Deciding on a suitable distance for your monitor is up to personal preference and is subject to change over time.
Accommodation and convergence are the two main functions at work when viewing objects at close distances. The shorter the viewing distance, the greater the muscular effort exerted for accommodation and convergence. An increase in accommodation and convergence effort results in increased strain on the eyes. A further viewing distance will diminish this muscular exertion but may make finer images and characters displayed on your computer screen more difficult to read. You’ll know when you’ve found the correct viewing distance for effective office ergonomics when you can easily read the screen without placing any strain on your eyes.
From Viewing Distance by Dennis Ankrum: “Eyes have a default accommodation distance, called the Resting Point of Accommodation (RPA) and a default Resting Point of Vergence (RPV). With distances greater than the RPA and RPV there is no need for either accommodation or convergence.” Viewing a computer screen under these distances is not necessarily harmful to the average person, however, as long as recommended eye “rest breaks” are conducted.
“Measurements of an RPA around 75cm or 30” and an RPV around 80cm or 32” are close enough in value to make setting up the proper viewing distance for office ergonomics a simple process. A viewing range of 40cm – 70cm or 15” – 27” is a visually comfortable range for a majority of computer users. In situations where the recommended viewing distance is too great for the operator to see images clearly it is better to increase font size than to force a shorter viewing distance.”
Pivot
Swivel
Height Adjustment
Tilt
Although it may not seem important, the orientation of your mouse, keyboard, and monitor on your desk can affect how healthy your office ergonomics setup actually is. Your mouse and keyboard should be positioned close together with your keyboard centered on your desk to provide the best ergonomic results.
For this to be done correctly, make sure the middle of your keyboard is directly aligned with the center of your body. The goal is to create the most natural positioning of your wrists when typing so as to not overexert any particular side of your body. As a general rule, it is best if your keyboard and mouse set at a height where your elbows bend at or near 90 degrees so you aren’t bending your wrists to type.
As long as you have both an adjustable seat and a monitor that you can flexibly adjust, you should be able to easily adapt your desk setup correctly to your working environment.
The workstation graphic below provides a good idea of the proper seat position, keyboard position, and monitor position for healthy office ergonomics.
Ergonomic office chairs have been the topic of discussion for years. Chairs such as those made by Herman Miller Aeron are an example of a successful, yet expensive ergonomic solution. Though the Herman Miller Aeron is expensive, more affordable products can be easily found at many office supply shops.
Here are the things to consider when selecting the proper ergonomic office chair:
We spend many hours sitting in office chairs each day. Choosing an ergonomic chair with a comfortable cushion is best. An ergonomic office chair with breathable fabric can offer additional benefits.
An office chair with armrests can give your arms a healthy resting place when they aren’t in use. Having your shoulders relaxed and your elbows bend at around a 90-degree angle is a healthy resting position.
Adjustable seat height
Because everyone’s bodies are different, it is important to be able to adjust the height of your chair to suit your height. Once you’ve found an office chair with adjustable height, aim to sit with your thighs parallel to the floor and your feet flat. Your arms should sit at the same height as your desk where your keyboard and mouse will be.
An office chair with an adjustable backrest is a necessity. Generally speaking, angling your chair forward will allow you to use correct posture and reduce your likelihood to slouch.
Lumbar support refers to the back support provided by your office chair. The human spine backs have a slight inward curve, meaning the back of your chair should follow the natural curve of your back. This curve will support posture by gently pushing forward on your lower back.
The ability to swivel and roll around
Essentially you will want an office chair that can move and swivel. Reaching for items on your desk can strain your body. Making these areas more easily accessible is the key to reducing the threat of injury and creating a comfortable office ergonomics setup.
Last but not least, try to organize the items in your office by frequency of use. Place the items that you use most often within arm’s reach if possible. Items used less frequently can be kept further away to avoid cluttering your workspace and creating potential injury.
With these simple tips, you’re now on your way to creating a healthy, comfortable office ergonomics setup. They may seem simple but they’ll make a world of difference to your comfort in the office. If you’re looking to improve the ergonomics of your home office, we’ve put together The Best Home Office Monitor: An Ultimate Guide. Or, if you work in a shared office space, visit our workplace solutions page for insightful ways to increase productivity through modern technology.
Office ergonomics is the science of designing your workspace to fit you, not the other way around. It focuses on adjusting your monitor, desk, and chair to reduce strain on your muscles, joints, and eyes. The goal is to prevent repetitive stress injuries, improve posture, and help you stay comfortable and productive throughout the day. A properly set up workstation reduces fatigue, prevents long-term discomfort, and supports your overall well-being at work.
Your monitor should be placed so that the top of the screen is at or just below eye level, and the center is around 10–20 degrees below your line of sight. This angle allows your neck and shoulders to stay relaxed. Keep the screen about an arm’s length away — roughly 20–30 inches (50–76 cm). Adjust the height or use a stand if necessary. If your monitor tilts, swivel, or pivots, use these features to fine-tune your position for maximum comfort and visibility.
Neck and shoulder pain are common signs of poor office ergonomics. When your monitor is too high or too low, your body compensates by tilting or leaning forward, creating strain. Hunching your shoulders, sitting too long, or keeping your keyboard and mouse too far away also increases tension. Adjust your screen height, keep your elbows near your body at about a 90-degree angle, and remember to stretch or move every hour to relieve built-up pressure.
Your keyboard should be centered directly in front of you, with the “B” key aligned to your body’s center. Keep your mouse close enough that you don’t have to stretch to reach it. Your wrists should stay straight, and your elbows should form roughly a 90-degree angle. Avoid resting your wrists on the desk while typing, use a soft wrist pad or let your hands hover naturally above the keys. This setup minimizes strain on your hands, wrists, and forearms.
An ergonomic chair supports your natural posture and promotes spinal alignment. Look for a chair with adjustable seat height, backrest, and lumbar support that follows the natural curve of your spine. Armrests should allow your shoulders to relax and your elbows to rest comfortably at your sides. A well-padded seat with breathable fabric adds comfort during long sitting periods. An adjustable, mobile chair helps reduce stiffness and improves blood flow throughout the day.
Your desk height is right when your elbows bend at roughly 90 degrees while typing, and your wrists stay straight. Your thighs should be parallel to the floor, and your feet should rest flat. If your desk is too high, raise your chair or use a footrest to maintain balance. If it’s too low, consider an adjustable desk or monitor stand. A properly aligned setup keeps your spine neutral and reduces strain on your back and shoulders.
Good office ergonomics go beyond comfort, they directly impact how efficiently and safely you work. When your workstation supports your posture and reduces fatigue, you can focus longer and make fewer errors. Proper ergonomics prevent repetitive strain injuries, boost concentration, and enhance overall well-being. Over time, a well-designed workspace leads to higher productivity, better morale, and fewer sick days, benefiting both you and your organization.
It’s clear that the future is digital, and the future of financial institutions is interactive banking technology. With improved service at greater efficiency, the addition of touch screens presents clear opportunities to any financial institution. You won’t want to miss the 3 most important benefits of interactive banking technology below.So keep reading for our comprehensive look at the benefits of touch screens and online integration in banks. Or see some of our existing banking solutions.
As seen in retail and food services, self-service is a vital part of improving speed and efficiency — interactive banking technology solutions based on touch screens should be leveraged to achieve this goal. The banking industry has proven the self-service banking theory to be correct through the introduction of the ATM during the 60s. Such innovation allowed customers to access financial services at any time of the day or night. That is one small step for a bank, one giant leap for the bank industry.
It is said that people need banking but not necessarily banks. Hence, the number of branches has been declining all over the world. Compared to the speed and efficiency of a modern lifestyle, most banks still provide an old-fashioned experience. What is the secret of those that do not?
Banks and other financial services that are still holding dear to the traditional ways face a myriad of problems when trying to capture new and young customers.
As a consequence of the rapid evolution of home and mobile banking, paired with the emergence of digital banks, the number of daily transactions taking place in conventional bank branches decreased substantially in recent years. With that being said, bank branches still hold an important spot in banks’ strategy and, at the same time, on the balance sheet – due to substantial real estate and staffing costs.
Young customers tend to have higher expectations for technological prowess and level of digital banking integration displayed by the companies they choose to interact with. However, the way the banking technology is deployed better add value to the customer’s experience or it will have the reverse effect. Big bright displays inside a branch can be visually impressive but, if that’s all they do, their true potential is being wasted. The impact of such displays can be multiplied if there is a chance for interaction through touch helping the customers move towards the answer to the problem that originated the visit.
The onboarding process is a pivotal point during the acquisition of new customers and it creates a long-lasting impression. That impression, good or bad, has a rippling effect through the customers’ family, friends, and even business partners. Every bank knows the saying “time is of the essence,” and it’s clear that those who decide not to use technology to streamline the onboarding process, show a lack of respect for customers’ time, which is often considered an asset more valuable than money itself. Hand-written forms that require the teller to transcribe the information into the system, drawn-out verifications of documents and signatures still plague the banking industry, but they are no longer viable.
A by-product of this outdated approach to banking is the massive trail of paper it leaves behind. An enormous amount of paper that is also inconvenient for the customer that needs to handle and keep copies of everything.
The world today is a digital place where people are online at all times, clicking away on screens of various sizes, even at school with the adoption of interactive learning. One way or another, banks have an online presence where commonly a customer learns about products and campaigns for the first time. Walking into a bank branch with no interactive banking technology creates an acute disconnection between online and offline experiences and humans are not programmed to be fond of inconsistency.
Multiple fully digital banks are gaining popularity, entire countries are adopting cashless payment systems, and more customers understand that money has been reduced to 1s and 0s. It makes sense that all financial institutions set in place an ever-evolving digital banking strategy or prepare to face the consequences of a heavily connected era.
Following the rationale presented above, the customer journey often starts on a website or a social media platform. That’s the top level of a digital banking strategy for any bank, so it deserves a great deal of attention to make sure customers want to go down the funnel and start using the bank’s services.
The next component is having a responsive home banking platform paired with a robust mobile app. These are the two places most customers will use for budget management, daily operations, and simple transactions. It’s hard to retain young customers without honing down these two aspects. Considering that an overwhelming percentage of the internet traffic today comes from mobile devices, which essentially is as a touch screen with almost limitless capabilities, how come banks still don’t have touch-screens like the ViewSonic TD2421 inside their branches? The familiarity of touch-screen displays helps the customers feel at ease when visiting a physical location.
If everything is executed correctly on the top level, customers should only feel the necessity of visiting a bank branch with complex questions or when it’s time to look for more advanced solutions that require counseling or expert guidance. On stepping foot inside the branch, customers should have the chance to interact with a touch-screen display, quickly selecting the appropriate department for their current situation. In case there’s the chance to go a step further and use this interactive screen to communicate “who,” “what,” “when,” plus anything else that proves valuable to smooth out the process that will be very much appreciated and noticed by all customers.
When it’s time to sit down with the teller, go through contract details, and sign the dotted lines, an interactive banking experience should include a tablet such as the ViewSonic PD1011 or ViewSonic PD1611. They all for a multitude of functions, including drawing and making annotations to explain or point out the most critical areas, sign and save agreements and exploit the added security layer of biometric data, as well as sealing documents and automatically emailing a copy to customers’ address.
Depending on the location and size of the branch, it might make sense to add the extra level of interactivity by allowing customers to have a live conversation through the screen with a specialized bank teller working from a central location.
The true character of a person surfaces when the internet connection is even slightly slower than usual. Now, if visiting a bank branch feels like going back to dial-up internet, during a time when everything else moves closer to the speed of light, how much frustration can one truly endure before walking out and choosing a different bank? The answer is not much. A value-packed interactive experience can do wonders for the speed of the branch with queue management, digitization of documents, and more (find below).
With multiple privacy and data breach scandals coming to the public eye, digital security is under extreme scrutiny. This is even more sensitive when we are talking about banks and financial services for obvious reasons. The use of interactive solutions such as touch-screens and tablets with the top of the line levels of encryption is a cornerstone feature of a well-thought-out banking experience prepared for the future.
One aspect every big company is trying to tackle is the environmental impact of its operations. The average customer is increasingly sensitive to this global issue and rewards the most conscious companies with unshakable loyalty. By utilizing a tablet with advanced touch-screen capabilities, every bank branch seamlessly starts saving paper sheets, trees, and, ultimately, the planet. Every transaction equates to multiple sheets of paper and every contract to a dozen of them. If as per magic all of these turn digital, how much closer is a bank to becoming 100% green?
A successful company will always have the customer journey in mind. Banks, due to the nature of the business, see every little detail of this journey being magnified. By adopting an interactive approach and creating value for the customer at multiple stages with the use of touch-screens and tablets, banks can improve the customer journey and provide a better service with a residual cost.
Big touch-screens ready for the customer to interact also have the ability to add a solid layer of branding through the use of high-quality visuals creating a consistent image throughout all channels: website, mobile app, and finally bank branches.
Technology and e-commerce giants are known for their low friction systems that get customers addicted. On the other end of the spectrum, you can usually find the banks. Famous for long processes, duplicate forms and too many steps to perform simple operations, especially when visiting the bank in person. Proper integration of interactive banking technology is something that brings banks much closer to the lack of friction that makes companies so very successful amongst users.
A bank branch is only open during working hours and usually closes the front door earlier than almost any other business in town. When it’s necessary to visit the branch it’s mandatory that the time spent at the bank is reduced to the minimum amount possible. Touch-based queue management systems help the flow of customers and streamline the whole experience from the customers’ point of view.
Like so many other jobs, bank tellers are also seeing a shift in the focus of that position from handling dozens of simple transactions a day to a position where the focus is on building meaningful relationships with the customer. In this indirect way, interactive banking enhances service quality by a lot since it can be so difficult to replace human interaction with customers.
If efficiency in the use of time, people, and other resources (such as paper and more) is a concern by any means, deploying up-to-date banking technology is necessary. The vision for an optimal bank branch experience needs to include the highest standards in security and powerful branding visuals to accompany every step of the customer journey. We can all agree that touch screens could help banks transform their customer experience for the better.
Keep reading about interactive technology in the workplace, here. Or, learn more about banking technology solutions and talk to a Solutions Expert about your business.
Interactive whiteboards are a technological leap similar to the leap to the first blackboard, and are set to revolutionize education. A new era of teaching that integrates multiple media and information sources is here. In fact, interactive whiteboards have astonishing potential to make learning more engaging and effective in many surprising ways.
Keep reading on to learn more about how interactive whiteboards are reshaping education or check out how ViewSonic is creating engaging spaces using all forms of EdTech. Nearly a hundred years ago, celebrated educational reformer John Dewey admonished:
If we teach today’s students as we taught yesterday’s, we rob them of tomorrow.
Never before have there been so many different technologies at our disposal for educating. The interactive whiteboard stands out for its ability to amplify web-based resources and transform the way an entire roomful of students interacts with educational content. The advent of interactive large-format displays further expands the options for achieving the documented benefits delivered by this transformative classroom technology.
Classroom display board technology is a powerful thing. Introduced in 1801, the chalkboard transformed the classroom. It freed teachers from costly and time-consuming handheld slates and the results were far-reaching. First, a dramatic increase in class size. Next, the expansion of education into the American population.
The chalkboard reigned supreme for nearly two centuries. In the early 1990s, concerns about chalk dust and students with allergies prompted the transition to whiteboards. Teachers applauded the new tool, which let them highlight and expand lessons with multiple colors. The classroom as a whole benefited from the elimination of chalkboard mess.
Along with the widespread adoption of whiteboards, new classroom tech began to link the boards with computers. Teachers could now save content written on the board to a computer hard drive. This enabled them to make instant print outs, spawning the short-lived name “copy board.”
Introduced in 1991, interactive whiteboards (IWBs) were destined to make an even greater impact on teaching. IWBs let teachers display anything on a computer to the entire classroom, ushering in a new world of educational possibilities.
With interactive whiteboards, students and teachers manipulate content directly on the surface of the screen. Teachers were empowered with exciting new tools. Student engagement increased and classroom collaboration was set to skyrocket. Original interactive whiteboard systems were a display board connected to a projector.
Recently, large-format touchscreen displays, also called interactive flat-panel displays (IFPDs), became another option. These interactive whiteboards deliver the benefits of original projector-based IWB systems, plus added functionality. They’re also less costly over the lifespan of the device thanks to reduced power consumption and lower maintenance.
Today, interactive whiteboards are firmly established as a teaching tool. You’ll find them in elementary classrooms and university lecture halls. Instructors praise their ability to foster interaction and focus student attention. Education researchers project that interactive whiteboard use will continue to grow exponentially.
Given the many benefits IWBs bring to the classroom, it’s easy to understand the enthusiasm for this versatile device. EdTech pros hail interactive whiteboards for their ability to quickly integrate classroom technology. Even technophobic teachers can use their most basic functions. As they gain experience, teachers are able to leverage the full range of IWB features and benefits.
IWBs infuse lessons with impactful content. Teachers can easily expand their curriculum by integrating new materials into a lesson. Virtually any electronic file or content from the Internet can be used, along with any online educational resource or app. Students and teachers can annotate on top of these materials with a fingertip or stylus.
Teacher enthusiasm for IWBs is palpable in the education blogosphere and on professional sites like Edutopia.org. California Teacher of the Year Finalist, Sue Holland, teaches seventh-grade science. She’s been using an interactive whiteboard in her classroom for years.
She raves: “It’s very powerful learning! I can insert links to the Internet or go right to a streaming video on the web.”
During a lesson, if a student asks, ‘What about this?’ I can say, ‘Let’s take a look’ and go online to view it, instead of just talking about it.
Holland’s students use the board in a variety of ways, both individually and in groups. “I just stand back, and the kids are engaged. For example, we study diseases of the human body in seventh grade. The kids will research a disease, create a PowerPoint presentation, and then share it with the class. They can change their presentation while standing at the board, or write on the board if someone asks a question.”
Interactive whiteboards are well suited for any type of classroom, lecture hall, or even distance-learning environment. The possible uses for IWBs are virtually endless. Among their many features and benefits, IWBs offer the following:
Students and teachers alike are speaking out about the ways in which interactive whiteboards enhance classrooms. Research backs up their enthusiasm. One landmark study of 85 teachers in 170 classrooms showed IWB’s impact on student achievement. Research author Robert Marzano states that:
The study results indicated that, in general, using interactive whiteboards was associated with a 16-percentile point gain in student achievement. This means that we can expect a student at the 50th percentile in a classroom without the technology to increase to the 66th percentile in a classroom using [these] whiteboards.
Marzano identifies three features of interactive whiteboards that contribute to even greater success. Each, he says, helps boost learning. Classrooms that combine all three will experience the greatest increase in student achievement. In his study, this amounted to an overall 31% gain. Performance boosting features of interactive whiteboards are the following:
As with any new EdTech tool, training and professional development are critical to success. With experience, instructors progress from tentative first steps to mastery. From learning to use the basic functions, to integrating it into their daily curriculum. From there, they harness the ability to use more advanced features with ease.
When instructors are as comfortable and adept with their IWBs as they are with a dry-erase marker, great things happen. When teachers have mastered more advanced features, interactive whiteboards are at their best. The technology delivers on the promise of simple, intuitive collaboration and learning – and a demonstrated improvement in student achievement.
Creating a school-wide culture of tech integration is one way to help ensure the success of classroom IWBs. Another is to foster openness to taking risks. The most effective professional development (PD) goes beyond simply how to use the tech. It shines a light on how the tool will bring value to teachers and their students.
Education IT staff must address the common teacher complaint:
Why would I try this when I’ve been doing just fine without it all these years?”
EdTech experts offer a five-step process to do just that:
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Learning Solutions For the Future
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Findings from the Marzano study support the importance of teacher training. In this study, some teachers had better results without interactive whiteboards. This was surprising at first glance. Upon review, Marzano determined that the key was how the teachers used the classroom technology. Examples of ineffective use of IWB included:
Getting the biggest boost from interactive whiteboards calls for a two-pronged approach. Tech training helps teachers move along the path to mastery of the board’s capabilities. Professional development should focus on how the tech will benefit students. In turn, this helps boost teachers’ desire to master and use the tool. PD that provides details on ways to maximize the benefits of the IWB will deliver the greatest measurable learning impact.
Administrators, educators, students, and research agree: Interactive whiteboards bring learning to life and improve student success. Options for using IWBs in the classroom are as unlimited as the imagination. Choices in interactive whiteboard technology are a bit more limited. Until recently, projector-based systems were the only IWB tech.
In 2011, large-format interactive flat-panel displays (IFPDs) displays became a new alternative. There are many benefits to these flat screen TV-like displays. For one, teachers gain more features to develop and deliver high-impact lessons. IT staff enjoy reduced maintenance. With a lower overall total cost of ownership (TCO), IFPDs are a favorite among administrators.
IFPD displays are an all-in-one classroom solution that wears many hats and offers many advantages. For one, IFPDs are multifunctional media centers with an embedded processor and web browser. For another, they’re high-definition displays. Finally, they offer multiple points of interactivity and are as easy to use as a tablet or smartphone.
IFPDs are simpler and easier to manage than projector-based interactive whiteboards. This makes them more cost-effective than traditional IWBs.
IFPDs deliver better overall total cost of ownership (TCO) and a rapid return on investment (ROI) via:
Interactive whiteboards of any type boost learning outcomes. All-in-one IFPD solutions deliver these added classroom benefits:
Teachers love the ability to keep the lights on. Students can see their notes. And teachers can see what’s going on across the room. ViewBoards® offer 4K resolutions for outstanding image clarity that brings content to life. Exceptional visual performance in well-lit rooms is guaranteed, thanks to high brightness. Easy, projector-free functionality eliminates shadows and glare. ViewBoards even look good when not in use, with an attractive ergonomic design featuring rounded corners and reflection-free tempered glass overlay.
Get more students involved with 20 simultaneous touchpoints. Stylus or finger, it’s their choice. Write, draw or highlight on top of any displayed content. ViewBoards are engineered to deliver a consistent, smooth, soft, and highly responsive touch experience. The slim design and thin bezel eliminate the dead angles that exist in older Windows® environments.
Interactive whiteboards are designed for years of safe, durable use. Rounded corners help prevent classroom injuries, providing a safer environment for active students. To safeguard the display itself, the glass cover features a highly scratch-resistant surface. Rated 7H on the pencil hardness scale, it’s designed to withstand everyday classroom abrasions. Included hardware mounts the display securely to the wall for safe, stable use. An optional trolley stand offers added flexibility for mobile resource sharing and height adjustment.
Enjoy more than a decade of eco-friendly use. ViewSonic ViewBoard® interactive whiteboards use an energy-saving LED backlight with a lifespan of over 30,000 hours of average use. In a typical classroom, this adds up to more than a decade of high-impact, interactive teaching. With lower power consumption than typical projector-based IWBs, it also adds up to a lower TCO and higher ROI.
Busy teachers want tech that’s intuitive and easy to use. ViewSonic ViewBoards get them up and going quickly with a plug-and-play set up. A host of connectivity options enables the use of a variety of digital devices. Quickly connect to a PC, laptop, or tablet to begin benefiting from the expansive universe of online educational apps and content. Inputs include HDMI for connecting to high-definition content sources, plus USB, DVI, and VGA ports.
Engage students, promote interaction, and achieve improved learning outcomes. myViewBoard software lets you easily write, highlight, edit, and transform documents and images on-screen in real-time. ViewBoard also offers screen recording, magnification, and spotlight functionality to further enhance classroom learning and distance education. For added security, and ease-of-use, myViewBoard.com is your digital whiteboard in the cloud.
Time-pressed teachers benefit from training to help them maximize their effective use of ViewSonic classroom tools. ViewSonic’s ViewSchool portal provides technology, tools, and training to help educators bring the latest learning advantages to their classroom, school or district.
Free membership brings easy access to special pricing, technology selection assistance, and professional development options that include self-guided videos and customized live online and onsite training.
Check out the IFP50 Series here:
If you are ready to implement an interactive whiteboard into your classroom, don’t forget to check out ViewSonic’s education solution page or contact us for more information.
Finding the correct digital education and EdTech solution provider can be challenging, but choosing the best fit for you will save you time and money, and help you avoid frustration. The most important factors to consider are the type of software and hardware offered by the provider and how they can benefit your classroom.
Keep reading to make sure you have the know-how on how to maximum your provider and don’t forget to check out ViewSonic’s education solution page to learn even more.
Finding the right digital solutions provider is a major investment. Buying resources and tech for your school is a big responsibility and choosing the right equipment can be tricky. There are many things to consider when deciding which digital education solution will best suit your needs, but having a clear idea of the purpose and functionality of these EdTech resources will help make these purchasing decisions easier.
Over the past few years, there has been a huge influx of education technology resources available to schools – from tablets and robotics to online platforms and digital whiteboards. While there are always new products being introduced into the market, schools have started to become wiser in the ways they make their decisions. Rather than simply buying the latest and greatest technology because it looks exciting or is the latest fad, staff members are focusing on what will really cater to their specific requirements and provide value to both the school and students.
Schools will inevitably want to invest in EdTech that will be both beneficial and effective when it comes to enhancing students’ learning experiences and opportunities. However, with the sheer amount of technology available, it can be challenging to identify those resources, products, or tools that tick all the boxes. Below, we’ve compiled a seven-part checklist to consider that can help bring you one step closer to selecting a digital education solution provider to suit your needs and the needs of your students.
Before you invest in any technology, it’s important to check your IT infrastructure. For example, it’s no good investing in iPads for the school if the broadband bandwidth and Wi-Fi connectivity aren’t up to scratch.
So, before you do anything, check connectivity. It’s important to think about the long-term strategy; don’t stick with your existing infrastructure because it’s too big of a challenge to change things. It will cause problems in the long run. With the right supplier, this can be altered with minimum disruption or impact to the running of the school. With the right IT infrastructure in place, schools can be assured that they have the flexibility to grow and evolve with the changes and updates to EdTech.
Building on this, it is also really important to make sure your software and hardware are compatible and work in harmony to make teaching as easy as possible. There are three main compatibility features to focus on.
Firstly, the ease of transition. From personalized learning to student interventions, many educators have already taken steps to enhance the learning environment by integrating technology resources into the classroom. Ensuring you can still reap the rewards of these EdTech applications and guarantee a smooth transition, make sure the new technology is compatible with existing software.
Secondly, consider how open and agnostic the new technology is. This is an important aspect of digital education solutions as some are more flexible with compatible file formats than others. Digital whiteboards like ViewBoard check this box while also supporting the most prolific platforms in education including Microsoft, Google, and Apple operating systems and education services.
Finally, as technology is rapidly evolving, it is important that EdTech resources can keep pace and are compatible with the changes in the industry. Additionally, sourcing digital solutions that can undergo upgrades without having to re-purchase the product or license is also a bonus.
Teaching large classes and distracted students can be challenging at the best of times, which is why you need fluid, accessible software that makes your job much easier. To prevent the lesson going off-course, make sure the technology you invest in has compatible software that is up-to-date and made to work with your hardware, which is intuitive and easy for you to use.
Being a teacher is so much more than just delivering a lesson to a class. The planning, preparation, marking, and feedback that goes into the job is just as important as the actual delivery of the lesson. Therefore, you need the tools and resources to assist.
In an already saturated market, there is an abundance of resources to assist with lesson planning. However, it is important to use platforms that are easy and efficient to use. For example, using digital whiteboards ensures that content created on your PC can be easily replicated and presented to the whole class. Or connecting all devices together means that you can plan a lesson wherever you are – classroom or not – and then simply connect and deliver it during the lesson. Look for those technology resources that not only deliver effective and impactful results but also minimize workloads and make the process a lot simpler and intuitive for you.
Quite often, software options have a lot more capabilities than you might be aware of, so it’s important to spend a little bit of time training yourself and getting to grips with all the features and functions. A good example of this is interactive whiteboard software. Whiteboard software has a wide array of tools to choose from and besides the obvious features, teachers now have the ability to appeal to the visual, auditory, read-write, and kinesthetic learners in their classroom by creating lessons that both engage and appeal to everyone in the classroom.
Students come to school to receive the best education possible – therefore it is a school’s responsibility to provide an educational experience that integrates the latest EdTech solutions that empower teachers to deliver engaging and interesting lessons. However, as with any technology resources, stringent data protection and security measures should be a key consideration.
A good checklist to reference when assessing the security of digital solutions should include the ability to: encrypt data and guarantee authentication on network communications, provide unique user and device IDs to ensure privacy, and the ability to protect passwords from other websites and cloud storage systems without hindering authorized information sharing.
Pupils deserve the best chance at school, and an essential part of contemporary pedagogies is reliant on the integration of the latest technological resources. Technology is developing at such a rapid rate and is becoming integrated within every part of society, which is why having responsive technology that can adapt to this rapid evolution is a smart and secure investment choice.
Keeping students engaged is one of the most important aspects of teaching. Ensuring that your class is actively listening and enthusiastic about what they are learning can be a challenge and using the right resources and incorporating new tech can be a great way to recapture and maintain your class’s attention.
Look for resources that have multiple benefits including built-in tools and games, and other functionality that assists teachers in lesson delivery. It’s also important to consider technology that can be used across subjects and curriculums; for example, robotics kits that can not only be used to teach core STEM subjects but can also be used in English, geography, and history lessons to help bring subjects to life.
Collaboration is one of the most crucial skills that children can learn in school, and it’s one that is universally teachable. All subjects can include a team or group-working element, allowing pupils to discuss topics and solve problems together, helping them to become more confident and rounded people.
By working in a team in huddle spaces, pupils can combine their strengths and overcome their weaknesses. For example, some pupils may be more able to get their heads around theoretical concepts, but less confident in public speaking, whereas others might need support with the content, but are happy to stand up and present to the rest of the class. Bringing these pupils together will help them to draw upon the confidence of their peers, and this also means that students of all abilities will benefit from the outcomes of the lesson.
So how can we leverage this with technology? Software like Google Docs means that groups of pupils can work on the same document from different devices, which can then be presented to the rest of the class. This opens the door for some fantastic, unguided research projects, where pupils can delve into a topic that really interests them.
Students can also work on tablets linked to the front-of-classroom display. For example, you can brainstorm ideas on a topic, and students can use their tablets to send information and feedback up to the digital whiteboard. This can also be done anonymously to support those children who might be worried about speaking up or fear that they might be incorrect. For the teacher, this increases classroom engagement, as well as retrieving answers from multiple students at once in a more streamlined process.
There are additional technologies that allow for collaborative workflows. For example, the enhancements present in touchscreen technology and flat panel displays now mean that multiple pupils can work on one board simultaneously. Multi-touch technology means that pupils can either all interact with the same content, or even work individually on their own area of the screen, without disruption.
Most importantly, make sure to keep things simple. You can now invest in technology that is modern, logical, and intuitive and can be used by everyone in the classroom. Ideal for groups, individuals, or teachers – of all ages and abilities – this tech can be used by anyone while making learning fun and engaging.
These are some of the different things that your tech needs to provide so that you and your students can reach their full potential. Used effectively, these resources can transform the education experience and, as a result, ease teachers’ workload and enrich every students’ learning experience.
Choosing the right digital education solution provider for you should be customized to your classroom’s particular needs. If you are ready to begin implementing EdTech and digital learning spaces into your classroom, find out more about integrating technology into the classroom or contact us to start choosing the right solutions for you!
High school esports is a growing phenomenon offering a whole new group of students amazing opportunities for personal and professional growth. In addition to the well-documented social and physical benefits of group activities, esports is able to offer students improved academic professional opportunities. In essence, a high school esports team is a fun way for students to reach their potential.Want to start an esports team at your school? Follow this easy step-by-step guide below or check out ViewSonic’s esports in education solution page to learn more.
Competitive video gaming has quickly risen to the ranks of “real sports” in many vital ways. These include big-name sponsors, competitive pro leagues, college competitions and a global eSport audience that is over four times bigger than the NFL audience.
Esports is also big business, making money from investments, branding, advertising, and media deals. The number of college scholarships and careers related to esports is also growing quickly. Because of this, many high school teachers, students, and administrators are thinking about how to start esports teams at their school. The process can be quite easy. Plus, starting an esports club can deliver some major benefits.
This article will give you a step-by-step guide on starting a high school esports team and takes a look at how having a team will benefit your school and its students. We’ll also provide resources for finding tournaments, supporting your club and thinking ahead about college scholarships.
No state has yet sanctioned gaming as an official sport. Because of this, all organized high school esports teams are run as clubs rather than as “school sponsored” sports. This may soon change, however, as organizations like the High School Esports League (HSEL), the High School Starleague (HSL) and Youth Esports of America (YEA) continue to actively lobby school districts to elevate esports to the level of schools’ football and basketball teams.
Until that happens, esports fans will need to go through their school’s typical channels for creating a new club. At most high schools this means finding a teacher or other faculty member to sponsor the club. Here are some basic steps to follow for creating a new high school esports club:
Once your esports club is formed and starting to meet regularly, you’ll want to start thinking about when and where you’ll compete. For more on how to get in on the gameplay, keep reading. But first, some info on the benefits of high school esports to help you begin promoting your club!
Being on an esports team in high school brings a number of immediate and long-term benefits. Some are similar to the benefits gained through participating in other high school sports and clubs; others are unique to the expanding world of esports. These benefits include:
The number of colleges offering esports scholarships is growing rapidly. In 2014, Robert Morris University was the first to offer an esports scholarship. Today, large schools like the University of Utah and the University of California-Irvine offer scholarships and have high-profile esports programs modeled after traditional collegiate sports teams – with post-game meals, team jerseys, and other perks. An esports club is a great way to get more students involved in an interactive, skill-building, in-school activity. The website scholarships.com offers an up-to-date listing of colleges offering esports scholarships with details on benefits and application deadlines.
Starting an esports club at your high school is a great way to get more students involved in an interactive, skill-building, in-school activity. Participants gain confidence, grow friendships and develop skills that will help them through high school and beyond. Getting a club going is easy. Start by finding a supportive teacher or other faculty member and spreading the word throughout your school. Build comradery and develop your competitive edge through regular meetings – then get in on the competitive gameplay by contacting the resources talked about above. For more ideas see the Appendix below: Additional Resources for Starting a High School Esports Team.
While getting together with your club members to practice is fun, competing is the heart and soul of esports. The easiest way to begin competing is to join up with an established nationwide league like the High School Esports League (HSEL), the High School Starleague (HSL), or the Youth Esports of America (YEA), the largest and most promoted leagues. All host tourneys and provide lots of other support for high school teams.
The High School Esports League is currently the largest high school esports league in the US. HSEL delivers high school level competition across thirteen different games, including the most popular high school esports Overwatch and League of Legends. HSEL is also a strong advocate for making esports available to every student as a legitimate varsity level sport in high schools across the nation.
The High School Starleague organizes events that include league play, online tourneys, inter-school scrimmages, and live charity events. HSL works closely with schools to legitimize esports as part of schools’ athletics or extracurricular programs. Tournaments are organized around the regular school year and include Overwatch, League of Legends, and Smite, among others.
Youth Esports of America unites high school esports clubs to create a community of passionate gamers. YEA offers many opportunities for competitive gameplay, including its semester-long series for high school Overwatch and League of Legends competition. It also provides sanctioned smash events. YEA is committed helping provide high school students with the background they need to succeed within the esports industry.
In addition to these national leagues, some states offer organized high school esports action. If you live in Orange County, CA, Connecticut, Ohio, Michigan, there are already established esports leagues. Finding and participating in tourneys is easy – just google your state, county or city and the phrase “high school esports.”
Even if your state or country has an esports league, your club may still want to find more competitive events. One way to do this is through websites that track and list esports competition. While the focus is often on college and pro-level tourneys, high school events are also sometimes listed. These include:
Colleges and universities with well-developed esports programs often host invitationals for high school esports teams. Those that have recently hosted events include:
Starting an esports club at your high school is a great way to get more students involved in an interactive, skill-building, in-school activity. Participants gain confidence, grow friendships and develop skills that will help them through high school and beyond. Getting a club going is easy. Start by finding a supportive teacher or other faculty member and spreading the word throughout your school. Build comradery and develop your competitive edge through regular meetings – then get in on the competitive gameplay by contacting the resources talked about above.
For more ideas see the Appendix below: Additional Resources for Starting a High School Esports Team and make sure to check out ViewSonic Elite so that you can get the best monitors for your new esports team!
HSL – The High School Star League offers a guide that covers working with their league to start an esports club and how to maintain and grow existing clubs.
HSEL – The High School Esports League provides several videos on topics like How to Apply to HSEL; How to Set up Game Connections; How to Register for a Tournament; and other useful topics.
YEA – The Youth Esports of America homepage links to a variety of useful info, including their Esports Recruiting Partnership, which provides tools to connect high school esports players with college programs.
Beautiful pictures don’t just rely on cameras. The best shots also rely on having the best monitor for photo editing. When choosing a monitor calibrated for photo editing, color is king. It delivers optimal color accuracy, high contrast, and maximum clarity.
Deciding on the right monitor for photo editing can be daunting, but there are some key factors to keep in mind before investing. Or explore ViewSonic’s professional ColorPro™ monitor series here.
Photography and editing work require true-to-life color reproduction on the screen for high-quality pictures. A less accurate monitor will not be capable of displaying the full spectrum of colors with true accuracy. As such, your photos might turn out oversaturated or off-balanced when printed.
Unlike consumer-grade monitors, professional photo editing displays are usually equipped with the latest panel technology and a broader pre-calibrated color spectrum. Built with photo-editing in mind, they ensure uniform levels of brightness, wider viewing angles, and exacting color precision. A color-accurate monitor is vital for photographers – both professionals and enthusiasts – to see their work in the best way possible.
The Features of the Best Monitors for Photo Editing
Monitors offer a head-spinning array of features. When evaluating a pro-level monitor for photo editing, your goal is to maximize the accuracy of what you see on-screen. Several key features impact color, performance, and image quality.
In addition to other factors like a well-designed device and ease of connectivity, many features come together to create the ideal monitor to make the most of your photos as part of your passion or your profession.
When it comes to color accuracy on displays, it largely depends on several different features to produce realistic images.
Before defining color space, you have to understand what a color model is. Derived from an abstract mathematical model, a color model assigns colors to tuples of numbers (think RGB and CMYK). They provide a visualization of the color spectrum, but without specifying how the colors should be interpreted or displayed on your screen. A color space is a defined color combination within a color model. It takes aspects of color, brightness, saturation, and hue to reproduce color on a display. The three most common color spaces are sRGB, Adobe RGB, and ProPhoto RGB. Adobe RGB has a wider color gamut as compared to sRGB, which means there are more colors to choose from in the former. Here’s a case in point: you have captured an image with a camera that uses Adobe RGB, and then viewed the same image on an sRGB display. What you see displayed will have missing colors that fall outside the color model. So, if you view photos on a monitor with a narrow color space, you will have muddier and less vivid colors. Professional-level monitors have expansive color spaces for more vibrant and detailed photos. When you’re shopping around, look out for displays with at least 90% sRGB (best for displaying your work on the web) and 70% Adobe RGB coverage (ideal for printed images).
Delta E numbers are included on monitors designed for photo editing. To meet color-critical needs, this number represents how well a color displayed by a monitor correlates to the “perfect” color value. The lower the number, the better the performance. Top-of-the-line displays can claim a Delta E of 1 or slightly less. However, many professionals find Delta E<2 perfect for their photo editing needs.
Onscreen colors must be shown perfectly when printed out. A factory-calibrated monitor that allows advanced color management features will produce color-realistic photos.
Gamma is a complex term for how vibrant images look on a monitor. Adjusting gamma plays a critical role in getting the best results from your photographic efforts. When it comes to digital devices, gamma is defined as the mathematical encoding of brightness (also known as “luminance”) into a value for each pixel. The goal of gamma is to make a digital image look as vibrant as possible. Gamma correction, or monitor gamma calibration, controls the overall brightness of an image. Images that are not properly corrected can look either bleached out or too dark. It’s essential to be able to fine-tune the monitor’s settings to control and enhance the visibility and detail in your photos.
The best pro-level monitors for photo editing have a hardware-embedded LUT to give them a big boost in color capabilities. LUTs deliver on-the-fly adaptability that adds color gradations as needed based on the image displayed. It’s an automatic function that applies complex color correction calculations to adjust gamma for optimal color mapping. Measured in bits, higher LUT levels indicate more powerful color adjustment abilities and a larger color palette. Most consumer monitors are typically at 8-bit with a usable palette of 16.7 million colors. Professional monitors are equipped with up to 14-bit LUT power, delivering about 4.39 trillion colors – that’s a whopping 260,000 times more color precision than an average consumer monitor!
Having a pre-calibrated monitor is a great first step in achieving vibrant photos, but monitors lose color accuracy over time. To ensure that your monitor displays precise shades in the future, a monitor calibrator or a “colorimeter” is essential. Placed on the monitor screen to measure and adjust onscreen color, the colorimeter offers greater accuracy and ongoing reliability.
IPS displays are the monitor of choice for color-minded users. They provide the best support for color space monitor technologies, deliver higher color depths and contrast ratios, and eliminate image distortion and color shifting.
The goal is to be able to see your work fully while still having room for toolbars. A minimum display size of 24” is recommended, but a bigger screen would bring you more real estate to manipulate your images in. When it comes to resolution, the higher the pixels, the sharper the images. It is important to note that the resolution of a screen does not correlate with the size of the display. Screens of the same size can have differing resolutions. Most professionals tend to opt for a screen of 27” or bigger, with a 4K resolution for razor-sharp clarity.
Monitor screen surfaces are either in a matte or glossy finish. The latter delivers crisp, vibrant images that are great for gaming and viewing movies. However, the reflective surfaces are not ideal for photo editing. They perform poorly, especially in bright-lit spaces, and produce mirror-like reflections that will bring distractions to your photos. Matte surfaces with glare-reducing capabilities reproduce a more realistic picture quality. The viewing angle of the monitor impacts the uniformity of color. Images lose contrast when viewed from outside a display’s stated viewing angle. This image degradation makes it difficult to accurately view, assess, and edit images. The wider the viewing angle, the less image degradation as your view moves from the center of the screen. An ideal maximum viewing angle is at least 178º horizontally and vertically.
So you’ve got your eye on a certain monitor that satisfies all your color and panel needs, but there are a couple more aspects you might want to consider.
A well-designed monitor not only ticks the aesthetic box but also improves efficiency and productivity. Monitors with a sleek, frameless bezel design maximize the screen surface area for a larger, more immersive visual experience. Some monitors are equipped with an ergonomic mount that tilts, swivels, and pivots to adapt to a more comfortable setup. Advanced swap and auto pivot features allow you to rotate the screen 180 degrees, getting a horizontal view of your image.
A professional monitor that supports a variety of output ports like USB, DisplayPort, and HDMI allows easier connectivity with other devices and peripherals that you own. USB 3.0 ports deliver device charging, while USB 3.1 Type-C ports deliver charging plus audio for simplified setups. The ability to “daisy chain” two or more monitors via DisplayPort delivers added flexibility.
A high-spec professional monitor with advanced panel technology and numerous color control features helps you to make the most of your images. They drive up color accuracy and image clarity so that you can view and manipulate your photos in their true splendor. If your work or passion involves photo editing, it’s time to invest in a monitor that features the mentioned factors.Ideal for professional and budding photographers and editors, ViewSonic’s ColorPro™ professional monitors are calibrated to display stunning picture quality and ultimate color brilliance. Discover how a ColorPro™ monitor can bring the best out of your photos here.
In 2020, the way employees went to work shifted dramatically. Whereas most employees traveled to the office from Monday to Friday, now employees found themselves working from home or attending the office part-time.
In this article, we’ll break down key insights we’ve uncovered studying hybrid work and go over the strategies, tools and frameworks companies need to redesign their office for a hybrid workforce.
To learn more about creating effective hybrid meetings, click here. Or to learn more about the best security practices for working remotely, click here.
As employees begin returning to the office, the paradigm for how we work has shifted as well. Although the future of work is uncertain, according to one study, 72% of employers plan to have employees work from home at least some of the time.
For many businesses, the transition to hybrid work requires a radical reimagining of the office. Because in an era where employees are working from home, employers need to carefully consider what offices will be used for.
At ViewSonic, we’ve uncovered key insights about hybrid work by studying our employees. We’ve learned that working from home is results-driven and requires clear objectives and KPIs to be effectively managed. We’ve also learned that optimizing the productivity of remote workers requires time, energy and the right technology.
One unexpected insight we’ve uncovered is that flexible schedules have the potential to be more productive than a traditional 9 to 5.
We’ve also learned that virtual collaboration isn’t something that happens spontaneously. It requires the right tools and infrastructure. And finally, we’ve discovered that in-person interaction is something that will never really go away. There will always be a need for the office as a space for collaboration.
According to Paul Smith, CMO of Tangram Interiors, a workspace design firm, people need 5 key things to be successful in a hybrid work environment. These are:
Safety: The need to be safe and feel safe.
Belonging: Having a sense of inclusion, trust and shared purpose.
Productivity: The ability to focus and collaborate.
Comfort: Being able to feel comfortable physically, cognitively and emotionally.
Control: Having more control over where and how they work.
One of the core tenets of creating an effective office for hybrid work is an emphasis on collaboration. Collaboration facilitates strong direction, delegates actions, leverages ideas and creates “one voice” for teams, departments and organizations.
For ViewSonic, focusing on collaboration means having the right technology in place to foster teamwork and productivity. Since every company uses its own unique combination of hardware and software, it’s important that these tools be software-agonistic, easy to use and easy to manage.
Examples of tools include:
– Interactive ViewBoard® or non-touch large format displays for crystal clear video conferencing between virtual and in-office workers.
– myViewBoard™ digital whiteboarding software for enhanced collaboration anywhere.
– USB-C docking monitors to help workers get set up in seconds with just one cable.
– Portable monitors for workers to achieve productivity anywhere.
– ColorPro™ monitors help employees who work in color-critical fields such as graphic design or video editing find the exact color they’re looking for every single time.
According to Smith, hybrid collaboration can be looked at through the lens of equity, engagement and ease.
Equity in hybrid collaboration means that workers at home and workers in the office should have the same professional experience. Engagement in hybrid collaboration means that workers are able to engage with their work in a range of settings while ease refers to the ease of navigation in both virtual and physical environments.
When it comes to designing a better office experience, Tangram Interiors focuses on four key principles.
Me + We: Being able to do work by yourself and with a team. These include things like private spaces for video calls and collaborative areas.
Fixed to Fluid: The ability to rearrange spaces in multiple configurations. This includes movable flexible boundaries to change settings as needed.
Open + Enclosed: Providing options for both open and enclosed spaces. This includes more options for collaboration and closed spaces for privacy throughout the office.
Braiding Digital and Physical: Integrating technology into the office for better collaboration, productivity and work. This includes things like access to mobile power banks and sensors to analyze density and utilization.
“The challenge is now on business owners to rethink their infrastructures and workspaces to not only encourage employees to want to come to the office but also facilitate productivity and growth when employees need to work from any location.” – Jeff Volpe, President of ViewSonic Americas
While some offices are being renovated in response to how people work in the present, it’s also worth considering how offices will work in the future.
According to Mary Cheval, Principal at Ware Malcomb, an international design firm that specializes in workplace strategy, there are four themes present in the future of offices.
Artificial Intelligence: According to Ware Malcomb, offices in the future will utilize AI to manage hybrid work, collect data and preferences and track KPIs. Stepping into the office of 2035 might mean interacting with a digital concierge that knows your digital and personal preferences.
Wellness: If offices are going to be a destination that pulls and attracts employees, wellness needs to be at the top of mind. In the future, this might look like secure touchless entrances or wearables that remind employees to get up and take a break.
Fit for Purpose: Mobility isn’t just a short-term shift. It is a concept that will extend well into the future. In order to remain competitive, offices of the future will need to be distraction-free and have immersive technology that facilitates authentic interaction.
Automation: While offices in the present day have automation in the form of disparate apps, offices of the future will have a seamless automated environment. This includes things like energy management, communication with RFID chips and the ability to predict and improve occupant comfort.
In this article, we uncovered key insights about working outside the office, broke down some expert findings and research and went over strategies, frameworks and tactics for building an office that enhances hybrid work.
Although the future of work is in flux right now, hybrid work represents a compelling option for many businesses. And while creating an office that accommodates hybrid work is paved with challenges, for many businesses, it represents a smart choice that will ultimately lead to a happier, healthier and more productive workforce.
For more insight into building a more connected, collaborative and creative enterprise workforce, check out the ViewSonic library.
ViewBoard® Interactive Displays
myViewBoard™ Manager
USB-C Docking Monitors
Dual Monitor Packs
ColorPro™ Monitors
Portable Monitors
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The concept of a growth mindset – the belief that intelligence can be developed through effort – is gaining considerable attention in the education world. And for good reason.
A student’s perspective or “mindset” can have a huge impact on their academic success, motivation and future. And teachers, as primary mentors, can play a big role in nurturing that mindset.
The theory of fixed and growth mindset comes from Dr. Carol Dweck, a professor of psychology at Stanford University.
It’s not hard to see why having a growth mindset is essential to a student’s lifelong success. That’s where encouragement from teachers comes in.
As a teacher, you want to see all of your students succeed. So how can you encourage and teach students to have a growth mindset? Is it possible to influence the outcome at all?
According to a national study of over 600 K-12 teachers conducted by Education Week Research Center, 96% of teachers believe that integrating a growth mindset will lead to improved student learning. But only 20% of study participants said they strongly believed they were good at fostering a growth mindset. 85% reported that they wanted more professional development in this area.
By making some simple changes in the classroom, you can begin to foster an environment where students are not only aware of a growth mindset, but can actively take care in creating it. Here are some simple strategies:
No one has ever learned something valuable without making mistakes. Changing your students’ perspective on mistakes is one of the greatest gifts you can give them. Encourage students to view their mistakes as one of many steps toward mastery. Take time to help students reflect on both successes and failures. Remind them that everyone succeeds and fails, and that each step got us to where we are today.
Once you help students embrace their imperfections, you can help them view their mistakes as helpful. The red pen isn’t the enemy—not trying is. One practical way to encourage that attitude is to take the most common mistakes that the class made on a test or quiz and analyze those mistakes together. The more open everyone is about the mistakes they’ve made, the less significance any student will place on future errors.
Another valuable strategy is to replace negative words with positive phrases. For example, use the term “learning” instead of “failing.” And use the phrase “not yet.” Whenever you see students struggling with a task, just tell them they haven’t mastered it yet. Pay attention to words that may reinforce one mindset or the other. Some phrases that support a fixed mindset include: “You’re so smart”; “Wrong answer”; and “You’re a natural at this.” On the other hand, some words and phrases that support a growth mindset include: “Mistakes help you learn”; “Great use of several strategies to solve that problem”; and “You haven’t been able to solve this problem yet, but you will.”
When fostering a growth mindset in students, remember to acknowledge the process and effort a student is making, rather than the outcome alone. Praise them for practicing, asking for help or trying new strategies, rather than on their talent or intellect. Compliment them on how hard they have worked or how much they are progressing. Remind them that hard work always comes before obtaining skill—and that learning is a process.
Cultivating a growth mindset is just one relevant strategy to help your students succeed. For more education trends, check out our online library.