Case Studies

CASE STUDY

Seneca Polytechnic Advances Digital Strategies and Student Experience with ViewSonic Direct View LED 135” Mobile Display

SCHOOL

Seneca Polytechnic is a multi-campus postsecondary institution located in the Greater Toronto Area and Peterborough, Ontario. It offers full-time and part-time programs at the baccalaureate, diploma, certificate, and graduate levels. Combining academic rigor with practical, professional and career-focused learning, Seneca Polytechnic provides students with a seamless transition from education to employment.

“Installation of the ViewSonic Direct View LED by Dot2Dot Communications, an AV digital signage integrator, was completed in January 2024, and feedback to date has been phenomenal. Both the President and Vice President have affirmed that ViewSonic was the right solution for Seneca.”

— Alvin Shum, Head of Enterprise IT Client Services

CHALLENGE

Seneca Polytechnic’s CITE Employee Lounge was repurposed as a meeting space, but it lacked the technology to support presentations and sound. A temporary 86-inch display on wheels was deployed in the space, however, sun streamed through the large, south-facing windows throughout the day and created a blinding glare on the screen.

The challenge was to find a solution that offered functionality without compromising the lounge’s ability to host meetings. Permanent installations weren’t ideal, so a flexible approach was needed.

Seneca sought an immersive display technology that would allow employees to seamlessly interact with content. This solution also needed to integrate with a centralized system, enabling the broadcast of communications and alerts 24/7, regardless of the employee’s location.

SOLUTION

In its search for more immersive display technologies, Seneca Polytechnic found ViewSonic’s innovative LDS135-151 Direct View LED display as the perfect answer through the recommendation of Dot2Dot, one of Seneca Polytechnic’s digital innovation partners.

“Dot2Dot considered several different traditional wall, ceiling and floor mounted LED options for the space, each of which presented their own set of installation challenges and extra costs,” said John Bostock, VP Business Development, Dot2Dot. “We fell in love with the ViewSonic LDS135-151 Direct View LED at first sight. An ideal solution for Seneca which eliminated all of the obstacles and costs with the traditional methods. The ViewSonic Engineering team has done a masterful job in designing the LED: quick setup, easy to use, great picture quality with integrated sound, and its portability providing Seneca with the versatility of being able to move the LED anywhere on Campus to support their student and open house events”.

This industry-first display ticked all the boxes for Seneca. The massive 135-inch display created an engaging viewing experience, while the LED technology, high contrast ratio and incredible brightness eliminated glare. This ensured clear viewing from nearly any angle within the room, important for a space that transforms from lounge to meeting area.

Beyond its physical attributes, the ViewSonic display integrated seamlessly with Seneca’s centralized IT infrastructure. This allows for effortless content interaction and the ability to broadcast communications and alerts 24/7, further enhancing employee engagement.

“Seneca Polytechnic chose the ViewSonic 135” Direct View LED based on the added functionalities it brings,” said Alvin Shum, Head of Enterprise IT Client Services. “It addresses challenges we had with viewing angles from the existing 86-inch TV display we previously had set up in the space. The older display was also not the right size for the room, and there were challenges with glare due to sunlight. The ViewSonic Direct View LED display has improved the viewing angles and eliminated the glare, greatly improving the viewing experience for those attending meetings in the space.”

RESULTS

Portability was also an important consideration in Seneca’s choice of the ViewSonic^® Direct View LED display. Its pre-assembled design and foldable screen on a movable stand enables effortless transportation across multiple venues and all-in-one flexibility. Seneca Polytechnic can easily move the ViewSonic 135” display around campus or transport it to venues for industry tradeshows and conferences.

In addition, Seneca Polytechnic is using a Content Management System across its campuses with 219 BrightSign media players deployed – small devices that attach to the back of display panels and serve digital content. With media players connected behind every monitor, including the ViewSonic Direct View LED foldable display, Seneca Polytechnic’s marketing and communications teams now have centralized control and the ability to push content whenever and wherever it is needed.

“Seneca Polytechnic is making it easier for students and faculty to interact with content through our centralized and digital IT infrastructure,” said Shum. “Every student that attends our campuses brings at least one or two devices, and our facilities are equipped with the leading digital capabilities for students to easily connect and interact, enhancing the overall student experience.”

Shum continued on to add that the LDS135-151 was hailed as a successful installation choice by key administrators.

“Installation of the ViewSonic Direct View LED was completed in January 2024, and feedback to date has been phenomenal. Both the President and Vice President have affirmed that ViewSonic was the right solution for Seneca.”

ViewSonic® LDS135-151 Direct View LED Mobile Display

CASE STUDY

Universidad San Juan Bautista Becomes Edtech Leader with Large Installation of ViewSonic ViewBoard Interactive Displays

SCHOOL

Founded on April 8, 1997, Universidad San Juan Bautista is a Peruvian university located in Lima. Its main campus is in the Chorrillos district, on the site of a former estate called Hacienda Villa. The university also has a campus in the San Borja district of Lima, and branches in the cities of Ica and Chincha. Universidad San Juan Bautista offers 16 professional degrees across three schools, serving more than 20,000 students.

RESELLER

Introsoft TI is a Peruvian company with 15 years of experience in the IT industry. They specialize in selling software and hardware products, and are authorized distributors for many top tech brands. Their focus is on helping customers achieve their technological goals. Introsoft TI goes beyond just selling products. They aim to build long-term partnerships with their clients. They offer ongoing consulting services to support businesses, educational institutions, and government agencies throughout the entire IT project lifecycle, from initial planning to implementation and ongoing monitoring.

“Students can connect for group work, and teachers can leverage this ViewBoard technology to become more participatory, making the educational process smoother and more enjoyable for everyone. We’re very pleased with ViewSonic.”

— Evelyn Bardales, Academic Environments Director

CHALLENGE

Universidad San Juan Bautista, a private institution, faces ongoing challenges in the educational landscape. Their goal is to keep both students and faculty at the forefront of technology. To achieve this, they’ve implemented a program to train and equip teachers with modern tools. 

Driven by continuous improvement and a vision of technological leadership, the university installed interactive displays in classrooms. This initiative aimed to create a more engaging and interactive learning environment, but they recognized it would require adaptation from everyone: administrative staff and faculty alike.

“It’s been an adjustment process,” says Evelyn Bardales, Academic Environments Director. “But our teachers have been very receptive and resourceful. They’ve gone beyond using the displays for basic presentations and videos, finding new ways to utilize them and make classes more engaging.”

Universidad San Juan Bautista emphasizes ongoing optimization of their educational processes, acknowledging technology’s vital role. “We constantly face challenges, but when it comes to student learning, we use technology to our advantage,” Bardales adds. “Interactive displays are a powerful tool to enhance our educational services, especially in a hybrid learning environment.”

SOLUTION

ViewSonic^® ViewBoard^® interactive displays fit perfectly with Universidad San Juan Bautista’s vision of technological leadership. This led to the acquisition and installation of ViewBoard interactive displays across their campuses in Lima, Chincha, and Ica.

The university deployed a total of 164 ViewBoard IFP8650 86-inch displays, and four ViewBoard IFP7550 75-inch displays. Notably, the 75-inch displays were installed in management offices. These also included VPC27-W55-O2 OPS units with powerful Ci7 processors, ensuring smooth operation and exceptional image quality.

It’s worth highlighting that Universidad San Juan Bautista boasts the largest network of interactive displays among private universities in Peru. This puts them at the forefront of educational technology and positions them as a highly equipped institution.

When selecting displays, the university prioritized models that could withstand the high temperatures typical of their Ica and Chincha campuses, along with factors like image quality and definition. ViewSonic ViewBoard interactive displays met these requirements perfectly.

“ViewBoard displays can handle the high temperatures of our town,” said Bardales. “This was a concern for our Ica campus, but the equipment has performed flawlessly.”

RESULT

The implementation of interactive displays, along with ViewSonic’s teacher training expertise, has resulted in a positive learning environment for both students and faculty. Students are enthusiastic about the change, enjoying more dynamic and interactive classes. The displays allow them to easily connect their devices to the learning materials, fostering a more engaging experience.

“The students love it! The displays have excellent resolution and clarity, and combined with our high-speed internet, there are no signal connectivity issues,” said Bardales. “Students can connect for group work, and teachers can leverage this ViewBoard technology to become more participatory, making the educational process smoother and more enjoyable for everyone. We’re very pleased with ViewSonic.”

This investment aligns perfectly with the university’s vision of having both teachers and students equipped with modern technological tools.

ViewBoard^® IFP6550 65" interactive display

CASE STUDY

Colegio Anglo Español Levels Up Learning with Esports Room and ViewSonic Tech

COMPANY

Founded in 1990, Colegio Anglo Español began in Durango City, Mexico, offering preschool and elementary education. By 2005, the school had expanded to include secondary school, high school, and postgraduate programs – a Master’s in Education and a PhD in Education Sciences.

The focus on professional development continued, with the addition of two Master’s programs in 2019: Organizational Psychology and Administrative Engineering. A Doctorate in Innovation and Organizational Management was also introduced.

Colegio Anglo Español has consistently provided high-quality bilingual academic programs at all levels, from preschool to graduate studies. Their curriculum stays up to date, reflecting the needs of a modernizing world with a focus on economic growth and scientific and technological advancements.

To ensure they meet the evolving needs of both teachers and students, the institution has been investing in upgrading their facilities with technological equipment since 2022.

“The teaching-learning processes need to be constantly updated. That’s why using cutting-edge technological tools from ViewSonic has become an indispensable necessity to keep students engaged and actively acquiring new knowledge.”

— Professor Héctor Enrique Arreola Ibarra, Assistant Principal of Colegio Anglo Español

THE CHALLENGE

Driven by a commitment to continuous improvement and equipping students for global careers, Professor Héctor Enrique Arreola Ibarra, Assistant Principal of Colegio Anglo Español, focused on technological advancements and 21st-century skills development.

He envisioned creating an esports and video game room that would serve as a learning environment. This space would allow students to develop various digital skills, including programming, tailored to their grade level and age.

This initiative aligns with Colegio Anglo Español’s mission to provide students with a well-rounded education that goes beyond traditional academics.

Colegio Anglo Español’s project wasn’t solely focused on the esports room. They also aimed to strengthen student learning through regulated esports tournaments, ensuring a safe and controlled environment. Additionally, they addressed the aging classroom projectors by replacing them with new equipment that aligns with their existing educational programs. Finally, the project included creating a dedicated workroom for teachers equipped with innovative technological tools to support the development of dynamic and engaging lesson plans.

THE SOLUTION

The project came to fruition in 2023. The esports room is now equipped with 11 ViewSonic® XG240R gaming monitors boasting a high refresh rate and anti-eye strain technology, perfect for fast-paced gameplay.

Ibarra believes this program goes beyond just gaming skills. He sees it as an opportunity to cultivate critical thinking, logical reasoning, and problem-solving – valuable assets for any future career path.

“No matter what each kid will study later on, this is very useful for them,” said Ibarra. “The use of technology is increasingly necessary, regardless of our specialization or profession. With the Internet of Things, eLearning, Big Data, and Cybersecurity issues gaining traction in many fields, these skills offer opportunities for individuals, professionals, and those just starting their career paths. The sooner we can provide students with this knowledge, the better prepared they will be to make decisions regarding their professional future.”

ViewSonic technology played a key role in the upgrades. Classrooms received ViewSonic PS600W projectors, capable of projecting large screen images – ideal for educational settings. Ibarra praised the brand’s focus on educational needs and their excellent technical support. The teacher’s lounge also received an upgrade with a 65-inch ViewSonic ViewBoard® IFP6550 interactive display, currently used for administrative tasks and dynamic lesson planning. Ibarra envisions having similar displays in every classroom in the future.

RESULTS

The esports monitors at Colegio Anglo Español are more than just gaming equipment. They’ve proven to be valuable tools for developing essential skills in students, according to Ibarra.

“The monitors have helped build important skills like quick and strategic decision- making, and teamwork,” he said. “These skills are fundamental in the digital world and can be applied to other aspects of academic and professional life.”

Beyond skill development, the esports program fosters student engagement. The prospect of participating in tournaments creates a sense of community and belonging, boosting self-esteem and confidence.

But the benefits don’t stop there. Colegio Anglo Español uses the esports room to teach students crucial life lessons. This includes promoting healthy and respectful online interactions, building valuable skills like leadership and teamwork, and fostering respect among competitors and teammates.

Professor Ibarra emphasizes the importance of adapting teaching methods for modern learners. “The teaching-learning processes need to be constantly updated,” he said. “That’s why using cutting-edge technological tools from ViewSonic has become an indispensable necessity to keep students engaged and actively acquiring new knowledge.”

The choice of ViewSonic technology wasn’t random. Professor Ibarra highlights the brand’s quality, innovation, and excellent support: “The quality, cutting- edge technology, innovation and support of the ViewSonic equipment was a determining factor in our choice.” He adds, “Our experience has been highly satisfactory. Every time we use the ViewBoard, we discover and/or think of new uses for teaching purposes.”

Colegio Anglo Español’s vision is to continuously upgrade classrooms with the latest technology. This commitment positions them at the forefront of education and equips students with the skills they need to become well-rounded citizens and successful professionals in today’s tech-driven world.

ViewSonic^® XG240R gaming monitor

ViewBoard^® PS600W projector

ViewBoard^® ViewBoard^® IFP6550 interactive display

CASE STUDY

Universidad de la Integración de las Américas Equips Two Medical Labs with ViewSonic^® ViewBoard^® Interactive Displays

COMPANY

Universidad de la Integración de las Américas (UNIDA University) is a leading private university in Paraguay. Established in 2003, it boasts modern facilities, cutting-edge equipment, and a focus on academic excellence. UNIDA University operates with complete autonomy in its teaching, research, and disciplinary functions. Currently, the university offers nine accredited degree programs through ANEAES (Paraguay’s National Agency for Higher Education Evaluation and Accreditation), with more programs under development.

UNIDA University is committed to a balanced approach to teaching, research, and outreach. Its curriculum is designed to fulfill the following objectives:

• Develop highly skilled professionals: UNIDA University educates graduates who are well-trained in their chosen fields and possess strong clinical competencies. They are equipped with a solid foundation in science, ethics, human values, and social responsibility.
  
• Foster a sense of community: The university fosters a sense of belonging, responsibility, and respect for the institution, its various disciplines, and society as a whole. This environment encourages students to embrace diversity and learn from different ideologies, genders, and cultures.
  
• Nurture well-rounded graduates: UNIDA University cultivates strong humanistic and social skills in its students, alongside creativity, leadership qualities, and up-to-date knowledge of health and illness processes, along with appropriate intervention tools.
• Promote interdisciplinary learning: The university encourages comprehensive student development through collaboration with other knowledge areas, leveraging students’ individual strengths and interests..
• Cultivate critical thinking: UNIDA University instills a spirit of inquiry and reflection in its students. This fosters a critical and creative mindset, promoting intellectual independence.

Thanks to the ViewBoard interactive display, we can simulate treatment on virtual patients and students can do their practical work under life-like conditions.

— Alan Dioses, UNIDA University Systems Director

THE CHALLENGE

In order to modernize its medical curriculum, the university recognized the need to enhance its students’ practical training in surgery. To achieve this, they decided to replace traditional mannequins and props with a more advanced surgical simulator. This cutting-edge technology allows students to practice surgical procedures in a realistic, simulated operating room environment. This shift from static models to a dynamic simulator provides a more realistic and engaging learning experience for future surgeons.

THE SOLUTION

In his quest to improve medical student training at UNIDA University, Alan Dioses, the Systems Director, visited a university medical school outside Paraguay. There, he was impressed by a surgical simulator that utilized interactive displays. While the cost of that specific setup was excessive, Dioses was determined to create a similar, yet more affordable, solution for UNIDA.

Partnering with an integration company, they identified the ViewSonic® ViewBoard® 75-inch interactive display, specifically the IFP7550 model, as the most suitable option. Two labs equipped with these displays were successfully launched at the Ciudad del Este campus two years ago. Due to the positive outcomes, UNIDA University is set to open two more labs at their Asunción location in the coming days.

RESULTS

UNIDA University has revolutionized its medical program’s practical lessons with the introduction of ViewSonic’s interactive displays. These large displays serve as a virtual surgical table where professors can perform simulated procedures on a digital patient. Students gather around the main display to observe the professor’s technique in detail.

The learning experience doesn’t stop there. Eight additional displays mounted around the room allow all students, regardless of their position, to follow the simulation closely. This immersive environment fosters a more engaging and realistic learning experience, mimicking the pressure and detail of a real surgery.

“Previously, we set up our classrooms with ViewSonic® projectors, so already knew about the excellent quality of their solutions. So when we set up the simulation rooms for the medical degree program in Ciudad del Este, we chose ViewSonic again for their interactive displays,” said Dioses. “There are now eight exclusive classrooms with ViewSonic ViewBoard displays where the graduate program classes are taught. Thanks to the ViewBoard interactive display, we can simulate treatment on virtual patients and students can do their practical work under life-like conditions.”

Marcos Paredes, ViewSonic’s Territory Manager for Argentina, Uruguay, and Paraguay, expressed his satisfaction in supporting this innovative project. “At ViewSonic, we’re committed to providing the best products to meet our customers’ needs,” he said.

ViewBoard^® IFP6550 65" interactive display

myViewBoard software

CASE STUDY

Paraguayan Soccer Show Revamps Broadcast with ViewSonic ViewBoard Interactive Displays

COMPANY

Los Analistas del Fútbol de Primera is a long-running Paraguayan TV show that dives deep into the world of soccer. Aired live every Sunday at noon on C9N, the program features sports journalists, former soccer players, and even audience participation to analyze matches and keep viewers up-to-date on all things fútbol. This year, Los Analistas del Fútbol de Primera celebrated its 20th anniversary and was recognized as the Best Sports Over-the-Air TV Program at the Paraná Awards. C9N is a free-to-air channel known for its news programs.

“The ViewBoard IFP6550 display is a game-changer for Los Analistas del Fútbol de Primera. It’s allowed us to take our tactical match analysis to a whole new level with interactive graphics and real-time engagement with viewers. It’s a fantastic tool that’s truly transformed the way we present the beautiful game.”

— Marcelo Burgos, Sports Reporter, Los Analistas del Fútbol de Primera

THE CHALLENGE

Previously, Los Analistas del Fútbol de Primera relied on a static, third-party managed display for match analysis. This limited their ability to dynamically interact with graphics during the show. Reporters and guests were stuck using pre-loaded graphs, unable to make live modifications to explain plays in detail.

To address this limitation, the program sought a more versatile solution. Ideally, the new system would allow for real-time analysis of tactics discussed by the panelists, alongside the ability to engage with viewer comments live.

THE SOLUTION

The soccer show required a screen that offered greater interactivity. This meant analysts and guests could visually represent concepts by:

• Creating on-the-fly graphics: Examples, situations, and plays could be drawn live.
• Modifying player positions: Players could be added, removed, and repositioned on the field to illustrate strategies.

The ViewSonic^® ViewBoard^® IFP6550 interactive display became a game-changer. With the included myViewBoard^® software, reporters can now easily sketch tactics, strategies, and match analyses directly on the screen at the end of each program. This eliminates the previous limitations of static pre-loaded graphics and allows for dynamic interaction, deletion, and recapture of ideas.

Furthermore, the program’s interactivity extends beyond the on-screen graphics. Viewers can participate by sending live messages through Instagram, X and WhatsApp. These messages are displayed directly on the screen, allowing the hosts to read and respond live, creating a much more dynamic and engaging experience.

“The ViewSonic IFP6550 display is a game-changer for Los Analistas del Fútbol de Primera,” said Marcelo Burgos, a sports reporter for the program. “It’s allowed us to take our tactical match analysis to a whole new level with interactive graphics and real-time engagement with viewers. It’s a fantastic tool that’s truly transformed the way we present the beautiful game.”

RESULTS

The IFP6550 display breathed new life into Los Analistas del Fútbol de Primera. This interactive touchscreen display transformed the show into a dynamic and participatory experience. Viewers are no longer passive observers; they can now actively engage with the program.

Marcos Paredes, ViewSonic’s Territory Manager for Argentina, Uruguay, and Paraguay, expressed his satisfaction with the project. “We’re thrilled to have provided our IFP6550 Interactive Displays for Los Analistas del Fútbol de Primera,” he said. “At ViewSonic, we’re committed to delivering user-friendly solutions that empower our customers to achieve their goals.”

ViewBoard^® IFP6550 65" interactive display

myViewBoard software

CASE STUDY

Students with Learning Differences Gain Motivation, Focus, Retention – and Fun – with ViewSonic ViewBoard Interactive Display

SCHOOL

Camperdown Academy educates gifted and capable students with dyslexia in a supportive and engaging learning environment, empowering them with skills and self-confidence to achieve academic success, and inspiring them to reach their full potential. Students with language-based learning differences in grades one through eight learn how to better process information, and then successfully transition back to a traditional classroom environment.

“My students are clearly more motivated and more focused. Being able to show them how to do a concept on the large ViewBoard makes a huge difference for these kids – they can see what they need to do, along with me explaining it verbally. The kinesthetic aspect of working at the board is another big advantage – they’re moving around, they’re having fun, and they’re bonding with classmates, all while learning math!”

— Mary Johnson, Camperdown Academy Math Teacher

THE CHALLENGE

Students at Camperdown Academy receive specialized support for their learning challenges in classrooms with low teacher-to-student ratios and multisensory teaching based on the Orton-Gillingham method. This structured approach was developed to help students with dyslexia and other learning differences learn reading, writing, spelling, and comprehension. Math teacher Mary Johnson, who studied the multi-sensory approach at the Orton- Gillingham Academy, was inspired to bring a more layered approach to teaching math.

“The Orton-Gillingham approach uses different activities and multisensory tools that target different senses to solidify concepts more easily for our kids,” she said. “The method is specifically targeted toward learning reading, writing, and language skills, but I bring the ideas into my math teaching as well.”

During her initial year of teaching math classes and math lab breakouts to third and fourth graders at Camperdown, Johnson’s access to edtech was limited. She couldn’t stop thinking about the ways in which she could help her students using an interactive display board.

“At the University of North Greenville, where I received my B.A. in Elementary Education, I had an ‘Introduction to Technology in the Classroom,’ class with an amazing professor,” she said. “Edtech became a passion for me and I wanted to bring the benefits of interactive technology to my students.”

Kids with dyslexia also often struggle with poor audio processing, Johnson explained. When learning concepts with words alone, many of them struggle. A large, interactive display board would enable her to provide these students with a visual accompaniment to her verbal teaching.

THE SOLUTION

Johnson was introduced to interactive displays during her college edtech class. She also had another connection to the technology – her father, a sales rep for ViewSonic, was highly versed in education solutions. Looking more closely at what the ViewSonic® ViewBoard® interactive display had to offer, she became convinced that it would be the ideal tool to bring more multisensory learning to her math students.

“The ViewBoard display’s interactivity and annotation features would enable me to expand my teaching and help my students learn,” she said. “Working at the board is so intuitive, smooth, and easy. I knew my students would love it, and that would pave the way to increased learning.”

Prior to the start of her second school year, Johnson’s wishes were granted, and she was gifted a ViewSonic ViewBoard interactive display as part of the company’s community outreach program.

RESULTS

As predicted, Johnson’s students simply love the large, vibrant 75” IFP7550 ViewBoard display. Pretty much every day, she said, they ask if they’ll get to use the board. Whenever possible, she lets them choose their tools and colors, for an added boost of independence and motivation.

“They’re very eager to work at the ViewBoard display,” said Johnson. “Along with the pedagogical benefits – which are huge – having this big interactive display in the room is very motivating to them. They love coming up to board and working, especially with their classmates; it helps them bond, which is helpful for classroom management.”

That is no small thing for students who are often discouraged and demotivated by the challenges created by their learning differences.

“These kids can be really hard on themselves knowing that their dyslexia makes them different and having lived through trying to learn like other students,” said Johnson. “Often, experiences in their previous schools have caused them trauma.”

Along with increasing motivation, said Johnson, her ViewSonic ViewBoard display also does wonders for holding student attention.

“Most of my students also have ADHD, and focus is often a big struggle for them,” she said. “Having the ViewBoard in the classroom has made a noticeable difference in their ability to hold their focus on a lesson.”

Johnson puts that focus and motivation to work, using the visual and interactive features of the ViewBoard display to bring greater multi-sensory impact to her teaching.

“This technology is ideal for supporting the way we approach teaching here, by making use of as many senses as possible: auditory, visual, kinesthetic, tactile,” she said. “People learn differently and using different sensory modes to teach the same concept helps just about anyone do better, not just kids with dyslexia.”

Now, Johnson explained, she doesn’t just talk about lessons, she shows them and makes them visually interesting.

“When students are working on a worksheet, for example, instead of me just talking about it, I can pull up manipulatives, or draw examples on the ViewBoard while they’re working on the sheet,” she said. “Last year all I could do was share my iPad screen to the TV using a notes app for writing on it. It worked but it was limited and wasn’t good for student visibility. It was difficult for them to see it and follow along.”

Memorization is another common challenge for students with dyslexia and related learning challenges. Camperdown Academy’s math lab is designed to provide the repetition and practice of math facts needed to develop fluency and speed. Since switching up her math lab lessons to the ViewBoard, Johnson has seen increased motivation for these often-boring lessons, as well as increased confidence and retention.

“I’ve been using the ViewBoard to engage them with all sorts of math fact games. For example, I’ll divide up the board, put an equation on each side, and whoever answers it fastest gets to stay at the board for the next round. It’s fun and they’re really motivated to stay up there!”

Johnson noted that the ViewBoard has enabled her to maximize learning for kids in her class who have difficulties with low visual aspect attention, among other learning challenges.

“Using the ViewBoard for instruction has made a huge difference for my kids,” she said. “They are all pretty challenged in various ways, and their ability to engage with and attend to lessons is drastically better than it was before using the ViewBoard display.”

The ViewSonic ViewBoard has further enabled Johnson to create an interactive small group station, where students can have fun building confidence by working together on math games.

“The ViewBoard is an amazing tool for small groups, even with our small class sizes,” she said. “I can engage two or three students with it, while providing instruction in another way to my other students.”

Johnson shares her classroom with another Camperdown teacher, who has had similar successes in using the ViewSonic ViewBoard, telling Johnson that it has made a notable difference for her kids as well.

“The ViewBoard display has made a positive impact on my teaching in so many ways,” concluded Johnson. “My students are clearly more motivated and more focused. Being able to show them how to do a concept on the large ViewBoard makes a huge difference for these kids – they can see what they need to do, along with me explaining it verbally. The kinesthetic aspect of working at the board is another big advantage – they’re moving around, they’re having fun, and they’re bonding with classmates, all while learning math!”

CASE STUDY

Electrical Contractor Gains Updated Conference Space and Outstanding Clarity with ViewSonic^® 135-inch Direct View LED Display

COMPANY

Headquartered in Santa Fe Springs, California, CSI Electrical Contractors has been a leader in highly technical and innovative electrical design and construction since 1990. Their team of consultants, engineers, project managers, tradespeople, and professionals deliver the best solutions to customers’ greatest electrical engineering and construction needs. With the resources and expertise to handle any commercial, industrial, or one-of-a-kind challenge in aerospace, education, healthcare, biotech, pharmaceutical, entertainment, hospitality, manufacturing, retail, and more, CSI services include electrical construction, technology solutions, and alternative energy, where CSI is regarded as a premier provider of energy development, installation, and maintenance.

“Given the type of work we do, detail is critical. The ViewSonic Direct View LED display delivers the crystal-clear images our engineers need to showcase project plans and spreadsheets to customers. The brightness and color are also outstanding. We haven’t heard anything negative about the screen. Everything they throw at it presents well.”

— Guy Coria, CSI Director of IT

THE CHALLENGE

The CSI Solar Group conference room had been causing headaches for years. Along with an aging projector system, the original installed equipment never quite worked as intended. More than one AV company failed to find a solution, and the patience (and money) to chase a fix ran out. Things changed when the company began working with larger customers on bigger projects.

“Our business in Solar took off, and we began getting bigger projects and more customers,” said David Pelayo, CSI director of HR and technology. “The budget for this division increased, and our new AV partner Avidex finally figured out the problem.”

At that point, said Pelayo, the team decided to change up the technology entirely. With a bigger budget to work with, and huge solar farm companies looking to partner with them, the decision was made to install a large LED screen as the room’s visual focal point.

“We wanted to create a conference room that reflected the size and scope of the business,” said Pelayo. “Avidex presented us with options and LED displays in the 86-inch to 98-inch size range were the sweet spot in terms of price.”

THE SOLUTION

Among the brands under consideration, the team gravitated toward the ViewSonic^® CDE9830 98-inch commercial display. Not only did it offer everything needed to easily support content sharing and collaboration, they were familiar with the brand.

“We began purchasing ViewSonic monitors for our employees about two years ago,” said Guy Coria, CSI director of IT. “The price of our existing brand had gone up, and the quality had declined. The other brand we looked at didn’t perform to our standards. The ViewSonic desktop monitors did.”

Employees have been very satisfied with the ViewSonic monitors, said Coria, adding that feedback on the color and clarity had been particularly positive.

“Because we knew ViewSonic is a great brand in terms of quality, performance and price, we reached out to them to look at their large conference room displays,” said Ruben Estrada, CSI network administrator. “When we got to the ViewSonic showroom and saw the Direct View LED display, we all fell in love with it and didn’t want to consider anything else.”

It wasn’t just bigger, added Pelayo, the ViewSonic 135” Direct View LED display was ideal for creating a high-impact space for the Solar Group to hold its most important customer meetings. It further provided an all-in-one solution with easier front-of-screen maintenance, along with outstanding color and detail.

RESULTS

At over a year since the ViewSonic Direct View LED display was installed, the team has heard nothing but positive feedback from the Solar Group users.

“Given the type of work we do, detail is critical. The ViewSonic Direct View LED display delivers the crystal-clear images our engineers need to showcase project plans and spreadsheets to customers,” said Coria. “The brightness and color are also outstanding. We haven’t heard anything negative about the screen. Everything they throw at it presents well.”

As is typical with AV installations, there were a few bumps along the way. A few parts were delayed, pushing back the initial timeframe; a panel was installed upside down; and the color matrix required adjusting.

“We’re very meticulous, and we asked to have the color coordination adjusted,” said Pelayo. “The ViewSonic tech team came in and dialed it in really well. They were terrific to work with.”

All in all, the installation process went smoothly, the team agreed, including righting the upside-down panel.

“We used the vacuum tool to remove and re-insert panels,” said Pelayo. “We were nervous at first about damaging them, but they’re actually very durable and resilient. It was easy to do.”

Looking back over the experience, the CSI technical and IT team concluded that ViewSonic lived up to its brand reputation, both in product quality and customer experience.

“Our ViewSonic rep, Steve Rodriguez, is a great guy and worked with us closely to ensure that our needs were met,” said Pelayo. “Whether it’s desktop monitors or big-screen conference room displays, the ViewSonic products we’ve tested and used are top-notch.”

ViewBoard^® IFP7550 interactive displays

CASE STUDY

Sacred Hearts Recoleta School Embraces ViewSonic Technology for More Engaging Learning Enviroments

SCHOOL

Founded in 1893, the Sacred Hearts Recoleta School boasts over 130 years of delivering quality education grounded in Christian values and civic responsibility. Serving both Peru and the wider world, the school offers a comprehensive curriculum spanning four levels: Beginner, Primary, Secondary, and International Baccalaureate.

Guided by the motto “God-Homeland-Family,” Sacred Hearts Recoleta views its education as a form of evangelization, entrusted by the Congregation of the Sacred Hearts. This mission centers on fostering well-rounded individuals who embody the spirit of Jesus through “contemplation, living, and announcing the redemptive love of God.”

Beyond academic excellence, Sacred Hearts Recoleta emphasizes character development, nurturing critical thinkers, creative problem-solvers, and compassionate leaders committed to the common good. The school strives to provide an education “from Peru and for Peru,” aiming to build a more just, humane, and fraternal world.

“Our experience with ViewSonic has been fantastic. We’re exploring ways to equip all our classrooms with ViewBoard interactive displays, bringing this powerful technology to every learning environment.”

— Milagros Díaz, Deputy Director of Secondary and PDIB

THE CHALLENGE

Sacred Hearts Recoleta has always embraced technology to enhance learning, but the pandemic accelerated the need for digital tools. The school sought a solution that would seamlessly integrate technology into the classroom without sacrificing human interaction.

THE SOLUTION

Sacred Hearts Recoleta partnered with education solution provider Edulink Perú SAC, and display technology leader ViewSonic, to upgrade its classrooms with interactive technology. After careful consideration, the school opted for 59 ViewSonic^® ViewBoard^® IFP7552 and IFP7550 interactive displays – 75-inch, 4K touchscreens equipped with user-friendly myViewBoard^® software. These screens were distributed across all grade levels, with 30 in primary school and 29 in secondary and high school, impacting over 1,580 students.

“Investing in innovative education has always been a priority for us,” said Miguel Grández, Head of IT at Sacred Hearts Recoleta. “We tried interactive displays from other brands, but none met our expectations. ViewSonic’s solution, with its intuitive myViewBoard software and excellent support, stood out. It’s like having a traditional whiteboard, but with the power of technology.”

This upgrade marks a significant step forward for Sacred Hearts Recoleta, enabling more engaging and practical learning experiences for all students.

RESULTS

Sacred Hearts Recoleta School has embraced its ViewBoard interactive displays, boosting student participation and igniting a love for learning across all grade levels. These displays have become a game-changer, fostering active learning and motivating both students and teachers to develop their skills

“Children are especially thrilled with the increased interaction,” said Iris Breña, Assistant Director of Early Childhood and Elementary Education. “To encourage even more creativity, we’re running a contest where teachers showcase their innovative uses of the ViewBoard displays and myViewBoard tools.”

The positive impact on classrooms has been undeniable. The school leadership is now considering expanding their use of ViewSonic technology to art, music, and other subject areas.

“Our experience with ViewSonic has been fantastic,” concluded Milagros Díaz, Deputy Director of Secondary and PDIB. “We’re exploring ways to equip all our classrooms with ViewBoard interactive displays, bringing this powerful technology to every learning environment.”

ViewBoard^® IFP7550 interactive displays

CASE STUDY

School District Creates Versatile PD Center with ViewSonic Direct View LED Display and ViewBoard Interactive Displays

SCHOOL

Coalinga-Huron Unified School District is a K-12 school district on the western edge of Fresno County made up of two communities, Coalinga which is located about 12 miles west of I-5, and Huron which is located about 12 miles east of I-5. Serving nearly 5,000 students across four elementary schools, two middle schools and the Coalinga High School, the district is committed to continually advancing its mission to provide the best education and career opportunities to all students.

“We needed a really big display to maximize visibility to large audiences, which the 163-inch ViewSonic Direct View LED delivers perfectly. In addition to that, when we synchronize the four ViewSonic ViewBoard displays with the content on the Direct View LED display, we can extend the viewing angle even further, with every one of these terrific displays delivering beautiful clarity and detail.”

— Martin Culberson, Chief Technology Officer

THE CHALLENGE

Rooms, like people, often have distinct phases across their lifespans. A 100- foot by 50-foot space in the Coalinga High School was once a library wrecked by an earthquake, then an athletics activity room, and now destined to become an expansive professional development (PD) center. Demolition and construction began in advance of defining the specific technology that would complete the room’s core functionality.

“The superintendent wanted something spectacular and high-end,” said Chief Technology Officer Martin Culberson. “We put in large piping for cables behind the wall and planned for something cutting edge, and while the renovations were in progress, we began reviewing the options.”

The space, said Culberson, was not only quite deep, it was visually striking, with high ceilings and tall windows. The solution would need to be proportionate to the room’s size and vibrant enough to look great even in sunny conditions.

THE SOLUTION

The year prior, Culberson had purchased over 100 ViewSonic® ViewBoard® interactive displays for classrooms. Due to the success of that deployment, ViewSonic was the first brand he looked at for this project.

“When we needed to update our classroom displays, we were very deliberate in our assessment. Among other things, we talked to a sister school district that recommended ViewSonic ViewBoard interactive displays and surveyed teachers to get their feedback,” said Culberson. “Everyone loved the ViewBoard displays and we continue to be very happy with them.”

In addition to ViewSonic’s ViewBoard interactive display lineup, Culberson was immediately impressed by the size, image quality, and visual impact delivered by the ViewSonic 163-inch Direct View LED display. The ease of maintenance blew him away.

“The modularity of the product is incredible. If one panel gets damaged you can slide it out and pop another one in,” he said. “I saw a demo of someone standing in front of a beautiful, big Direct View LED image take out a working panel, pop in a defective one, then show the ease of replacing it and restoring the gorgeous image. It’s a fast and seamless fix.”

Impressed as he was, Culberson wanted to be certain that Direct View LED was the best option for the project and tasked his IT director with assessing competitive options.

“As it turned out, there really wasn’t much available by way of apples-to-apples options,” said Culberson. “There were large LED displays, but we wanted something bigger, and most other Direct View LED solutions were super high- end, like those you see in airport terminals.”

Culberson presented the options to the superintendent. A single 98-inch LED display would have been less costly, but would fail to deliver the desired impact in the expansive space. A matrix of LED displays with bezels that would break up the content was out of the question. Ultimately, the team chose the ViewSonic Direct View LED display.

“The superintendent loved the ViewSonic Direct View LED because it was quite frankly spectacular in every way,” said Culberson. “Not only does it look amazing, the modularity makes it easy to maintain and because of that it will be a great value over time.”

Culberson added a total of four 98-inch ViewSonic ViewBoard interactive displays – two on each of the room’s side walls – which would allow presenters to extend the primary image as well as accommodate up to four breakout groups.

RESULTS

In its third phase of life, the space that is now the Coalinga-Huron USD Professional Development Center is a clear standout, used daily for large and small group training sessions.

The control system, which allows for sending homogeneous or varied content to the five screens, is both complex and intuitive to use, said Culberson.

“So far everyone has found it easy to just walk up to the podium, plug in via HDMI or other dongles we provide, and begin presenting,” he said. “We keep a tech nearby just in case, but no one’s had to ask for help so far.”

As the room’s visual and functional focal point, the ViewSonic Direct View LED display has not disappointed.

“Feedback on the ViewSonic Direct View LED display has been nothing but amazing,” said Culberson. “The superintendent loves it, and presenters say that it’s the best display they’ve ever seen.”

The impressiveness of this massive front-of-room display is most evident when a presenter is delivering PowerPoint or Google slides, Culberson added.

“The gigantic size, seamless edge-to-edge look, and crispness of the image is outstanding,” he said. “It’s like someone just dropped giant PowerPoint slides into your room.”

And that, Culberson added, is exactly what the sizeable space and functional objectives called for.

“We needed a really big display to maximize visibility to large audiences, which the 163-inch ViewSonic Direct View LED delivers perfectly,” he said. “In addition to that, when we synchronize the four ViewSonic ViewBoard displays with the content on the Direct View LED display, we can extend the viewing angle even further, with every one of these terrific displays delivering beautiful clarity and detail.”

An added benefit of this setup is the ability to configure the space for breakout sessions or smaller meetings. Using a custom-built iPad app, Culberson’s team can easily enable each of four groups to control a ViewSonic ViewBoard display for high-impact interactive presentations and group collaboration.

Clearly, the transformation of the once library/athletic space into a state-of-the art training facility has been a huge success. As with any project, there were bumps in the road, but not one of them was related to a ViewSonic product, said Culberson.

“It’s a complex system, and we had a few issues, but no problems at all related to ViewSonic,” he said. “In fact, our project lead at ViewSonic helped us get though everything – even with issues not at all related to their products. Everything about ViewSonic has been fantastic – the products, support, and the people.”

IFP9850 - 98” ViewBoard^® 4K Ultra HD Interactive Flat Panel

LDP163-181 - 163" Display, 1920 x 1080 Resolution, 600-nit Brightness

CASE STUDY

College Smart Room Upgrade Cuts Costs and Adds Functionality with ViewSonic ViewBoard Interactive Displays

SCHOOL

Trinity Valley Community College is a public institution in Athens, Texas, with a total enrollment of 5,642 students and a student-faculty ratio of 16-to-1. The college offers a two-year associate degree and students can also earn degrees and certificates in 15 different fields. Popular programs include: Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities, Health Professions and Related Programs, and Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services.

“Never before have we had such a high level of display support for our conference rooms. The quality of our Zoom meetings has increased tremendously. We provide a wireless keyboard and mouse and presenters can connect to the ViewBoard PC wirelessly or use the integrated ViewSonic vCast to throw their content onto the big screen.”

— Myles Pennington, TVCC Director of Media Support Services

THE CHALLENGE

Back when DVDs were still a common media source, Trinity Valley Community College added 140 Smart Rooms to facilitate simplified digital instruction. Around 500 square feet, with rows of desks for seating 25-30 students, these spaces included a mounted projector, built-in projector screen, podium-based PC, and document camera, all connected with Extron switching equipment. Instructors could walk into any room, hook up their laptop, plug in a USB drive, or use the existing PC (with integrated DVD player), press a button at the switch box, and – voila – the projector and laptop turn on, the screen descends, and they’re ready to go.

Fast forward to 2018, when Myles Pennington, TVCC director of media support services, was looking to upgrade these rooms to support current digital standards.

“We needed to go from SD to HD and needed to upgrade the hardware to support the latest software,” he said. “But continuing with the Extron-centered projection system would cost around fifteen thousand dollars per room. We’re a fiscally conservative organization and I wasn’t surprised when that didn’t get approved.”

Pennington needed to find a way to meet instructor needs at a lower cost. For guidance, he reached out to TVCC reseller partner ProComputing.

THE SOLUTION

A big fan of ViewSonic products, their ProComputing rep suggested that Pennington look at ViewSonic® ViewBoard® interactive displays. Pennington was impressed, and set up a demo for the college’s vice president of instruction and department chairs. They were quickly blown away, said Pennington.

“The ViewSonic presenter started by saying, ‘the first thing that people usually ask me is how durable is this thing,’” said Pennington. “And he was right, I was concerned about that. In my experience LED TVs can easily break. He dispelled that concern right away by walking up to the ViewBoard and punching it with his knuckle, saying ‘you’re not going to hurt this thing.’”

The audience was wowed by the quality of the 4K images and the responsiveness of the 20 touchpoints, along with how easy it was to navigate between the browser, annotation tools, and other functions.

“I went into it with a high opinion of the ViewSonic brand,” said Pennington. “I cut my teeth in the graphics world, and ViewSonic was known for premium graphic arts products. So I was glad that everyone in the room was sold after seeing the demo.”

Of course, liking the solution wouldn’t be enough to get it approved. Cost was still a critical factor. Pennington and his ProComputing rep ran the numbers. The price tag for each full solution – an 86-inch ViewSonic ViewBoard IFP8652 interactive display; a ViewSonic VPC25-W53-O1 slot-in PC to deliver added processing power and a Windows experience; and a ViewSonic VB-EBM-001 e-Box^® motorized height-adjust mobile cart, fully assembled and ready to roll into the rooms added up to around $6K.

“That price difference was huge,” said Pennington. “With our existing system, it was going to cost $15K per room. Considering that we planned to upgrade 140 rooms, the savings for the college would be around $1.26 million.”

For the past five years, TVCC has been purchasing the ViewSonic ViewBoard display solution in batches as funding allowed, for a current total of 91 units. As of this writing, Pennington is awaiting signoff to purchase another 10, and will continue to do so until all rooms are up to date. After that, the plan calls for lifecycle upgrades every 5-7 years.

RESULTS

From a fiscal perspective, the ViewSonic ViewBoard solution was a huge success for TVCC. From an engagement perspective, said Pennington, it has been equally successful.

“Students were used to seeing this type of technology in their K-12 classrooms, and used to using touchscreen tech. Before we upgraded to the ViewBoard displays we would hear them ask why we didn’t have the latest technology,” said Pennington. “Now we do, and they love it. It’s essentially a giant Microsoft Surface and with it the instructors are engaging students more than ever before.”

Importantly, instructors find the ViewBoard solution just as simple to use as the older system, walking into the room and easily pulling up their content. While some instructors simply use the ViewBoard to present notes and other basic content, said Pennington, power users leverage the many functions offered by the interactive displays.

“For example, they’ll access online software like MathLabs, display content from websites, show videos, or load learning apps related to their subject matter,” said Pennington. “Often, they’ll divide up the screen, with the complementary content on one side, their notes on the other. Plus, they can annotate on top of everything using the whiteboarding tools.”

The mobility of the solution allowed for easy resource sharing, and the college now uses the high-visibility 86-inch ViewSonic ViewBoard displays to facilitate more impactful meetings across several conference rooms.

“Never before have we had such a high level of display support for our conference rooms,” said Pennington. “The quality of our Zoom meetings has increased tremendously. No more washed-out images or needing to connect a separate computer, and presenters can leave the lights on. We provide a wireless keyboard and mouse and presenters can connect to the ViewBoard PC wirelessly or use the integrated ViewSonic vCast to throw their content onto the big screen.”

From his team’s perspective, Pennington couldn’t be happier with the ViewSonic ViewBoard solution. Thrilled that it cost-effectively met their users’ needs, they are likewise pleased with the solution’s limited maintenance demands compared to the projector-based system. Pennington is currently working with TVCC’s network support services team to expand the use of the centralized management provided by the integrated ViewSonic Manager™ software.

“It is really awesome management software, and it will be useful to remotely power up units for pushing out Windows updates,” said Pennington. “If we didn’t have the centralized management, we would have to have Ethernet cables on all devices, which is expensive and less flexible.”

Responding to an ask from instructors that love using the ViewBoard display, but prefer to directly face their students, Pennington is currently piloting the ViewSonic 24-inch ID2455 touch display.

“So far it’s been a huge hit. The 24-inch monitor is mounted on their podium, and everything the instructors do on it is displayed on the 86-inch ViewBoard,” said Pennington. “I suspect that many more instructors will want to implement this system.”

Beyond happy users, administrators, and support personnel, Pennington himself has been quite satisfied by the service, support, and quality provided by ViewSonic.

“Even the way they package their products demonstrates the quality and care that epitomizes the way ViewSonic does things,” said Pennington. “It may not seem like a big deal, but for me, once an order shows up, I need to be able to deploy it quickly. I can’t just charge a replacement to a credit card and order another; we have a lengthy PO process.”

In the five years that he has been ordering the ViewBoard solution, Pennington added, he’s only had to send back two – which had suffered damage from a forklift stabbing them through the carton.

He has also been impressed by the quality of the ViewSonic customer support team.

“Our group here is pretty sharp. Before we ever make a tech support call, we’ve tried everything we can possibly think of,” said Pennington. “Many customer service reps will insist on walking them through silly things like, is it plugged in? Not ViewSonic. They have intelligent conversations with my team members and resolve situations quickly.”

All things considered, Pennington has only positive things to say about the entire experience of deploying the new Smart Room system, from the products to the people involved.

“The sales staff at ProComputing and ViewSonic were amazing, as has been everyone we’ve encountered from ViewSonic,” said Pennington. “Ultimately, it was the vision of our executive team and the insight of our board members, who recognized the benefits of moving to this technology, that made it all possible.”

ViewSonic^® IFP8650 ViewBoard^® interactive flat panel displays

ViewSonic^® VPC25-W53-O1 slot-in PCs

ViewSonic^® VB-EBM-001 e-Box motorized mobile carts

ViewSonic^® 24-inch ID2455 touch displays

CASE STUDY

University Expands Esports Program with ViewSonic Gaming Monitors

SCHOOL

Founded in 1870 as Buchtel College, the University of Akron is located 40 miles south of Cleveland in metropolitan Akron, Ohio. Offering 200+ in- demand associate, bachelor’s, master’s, doctorate and law degree programs, the university serves around 19,000 students from Ohio, around the U.S., and 70 foreign countries in more than 80 buildings on 218 acres. Programs are targeted to diverse groups of learners, including full-time, part-time, and on-line students, veterans, and adults returning to the classroom.

“In addition to providing us with high-end equipment, ViewSonic demonstrated dedication to the educational aspects of our program. They are outstanding partners in every way – great support, great products, and great people to work with. This collaboration will help us keep up with the changes in technology, along with the interests of students as the esports and gaming space evolves.”

— Nathan Meeker, UA Director of Esports

THE CHALLENGE

In 2017 the University of Akron set its sights on creating a robust esports program. It quickly became a pioneering force in the development of D1 varsity-level esports.

“We had a team of professionals with complementary backgrounds and together, we created the program that many other schools model theirs after” said UA Director of Esports Nathan Meeker. “By design it was a three-tiered program that included a formal student club and low-key recreational gaming opportunities in addition to the competitive varsity team.”

To accommodate this broad vision, the university transformed 6,500 square feet in three underutilized campus spaces into esports venues: an arena with spectator viewing to facilitate varsity practices and competitions, plus two club and rec facilities that operate like gaming cafes for the esports club and casual gamers.

Outfitting these spaces with gaming stations that wouldn’t break the budget was one of the initial challenges for the growing program. An ongoing challenge would be keeping the program, as well as the gaming hardware, up-to-date and well-positioned to meet evolving student needs.

THE SOLUTION

With the space build-out underway, Meeker and the team set out to find their ideal gaming monitors (among other equipment).

“We wanted some pretty specific specs – a 24-inch monitor with 1ms or lower response rate and 144 Hz or better,” said Meeker. “There were a few decent options but ViewSonic offered the best price-to-performance ratio by a long shot. Not only was the price great, the ViewSonic performance was top notch.”

The team purchased 92 ViewSonic XG2402 24-inch gaming monitors, which were deployed across the three venues: the Zips Gaming Lounge at the Williams Honors College; the Zips Esports Center at the Student Union; and the Akron Esports Arena at Infocision Stadium.

The UA Zips esports program started off strong, with around seven hundred participants.

“By all indicators that was considered a good number at the time,” said Meeker. “What we didn’t realize was that by primarily marketing the program to students interested in competitive esports titles, we were missing quite a few others, and we want as many students as possible to reap the benefits of participating in campus organizations.”

When students are invested in activities outside of academics, Meeker elaborated, there are proven benefits, such as higher rates of graduation, higher levels of satisfaction, and even higher post-college job placement rates.

“I always tell those that are skeptical that we’re not just playing video games,” he said. “Our program provides an outlet for students who might not otherwise join a UA organization.”

To broaden the benefits of their activities, the Zips program staff began spreading the word to “generalist gamers” – students with a broad interest in video games that goes beyond the well-known competitive titles like Rocket League and Overwatch.

RESULTS

By 2019 the UA Zips varsity team had captured the Rocket League championship title for the second consecutive year, and the university was well on its way to becoming a powerhouse in the world of competitive collegiate esports.

While the varsity team was busy doing great things, Meeker realized that the program wasn’t reaching its full potential.

“Initially we thought that marketing the program primarily toward students interested in competitive esports titles would result in the best activation,” said Meeker. “Over time we learned we were missing a lot of other students. Now we connect with those students and offer a more robust program.”

The expanded marketing efforts have more than paid off. These days, around 15% of the UA student population is involved in the program in one way or another, for a total participation of around 2,400 students.

By year five of the program, another shift occurred.

“Monitor technology had progressed, and to provide our players with the best competitive advantage, we needed to upgrade to 280Hz.” said Meeker. “We were already living in a ViewSonic ecosystem and loving it, so the ViewSonic XG250 gaming monitors were perfect for us.”

With the new monitors deployed to about half of the Zips’ gaming stations so far, students report faster gameplay and better reactivity to on-screen action. “They tell me that overall, their gaming experience has been more enjoyable,” said Meeker. “Watching them, it’s easy to see the benefits of the faster refresh rate.”

Now an official ViewSonic partner, Meeker looks forward to many years of keeping up with the fast-paced world of esports and gaming with ViewSonic gaming monitors.

“In addition to providing us with high-end equipment, ViewSonic demonstrated dedication to the educational aspects of our program,” said Meeker. “They are outstanding partners in every way – great support, great products, and great people to work with. This collaboration will help us keep up with the changes in technology, along with the interests of students as the esports and gaming spaces evolve.”

Building on the program’s strong and carefully laid foundation, the ViewSonic sponsorship is one more way that esports and gaming at UA will continue to grow and thrive, said Meeker, as the university provides ongoing support for activities such as summer camps; monthly events for area high school clubs; and hosting the OHSAA-supported Ohio Esports State Tournament, among other LAN events.

“The tournament represents some 300 high schools across Ohio, and we expect around 3,000 students to participate this spring,” said Meeker. “We know we’ll give them an outstanding experience with the new ViewSonic monitors.”

ViewSonic Gaming XG2402 24-inch monitor

ViewSonic Gaming XG250 25-inch monitor

CASE STUDY

University Esports Program Supports Community and Competition with ViewSonic ViewBoard Interactive Display, Gaming Monitors, and Digital Signage

SCHOOL

Founded in 1910, the University of Southern Mississippi (aka “Southern Miss” or USM) is a public D1 sports and R1 classified research university with a total undergraduate enrollment of 10,258. The university’s main campus is in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, which is supplemented by a complex in Long Beach known as Southern Miss Gulf Coast. Southern Miss offers approximately 189 programs leading to baccalaureate, masters, specialist, and doctorate degrees, serving undergraduates from public schools across the southern United States and around the globe. The university is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and its programs are accredited by 30 state and national agencies.

“The ViewBoard is an outstanding interactive resource for any type of learning because it’s so intuitive to use and it really draws students in. They absolutely love it. They’ll come in wanting to use it the moment we open the doors for the day and the competitive team is constantly scheduling time with it.”

— David Dickert, USM Esports Coordinator

THE CHALLENGE

When USM Esports Coordinator David Dickert began in Spring 2022, the fledgling program operated out of an outdated space that received periodic technology updates, where 15 students valiantly competed from non-esports ready equipment.

“It used to be a big lounge area that hadn’t seen major updates for a long time,” said Dickert. “The university was getting ready to invest in a robust competitive esports program in 2019, but COVID set fire to those plans until the global pandemic was under control. The 15 students involved were piecemealing it the best they could with very little equipment or funding.”

When Dickert came on board it was immediately clear that revamping the space was a top priority. During the summer preceding the 2023-24 school year, Dickert and the Union worked with a local painting company to tear down the wall carpet, refinish the floors, paint, and bring in new furnishings – transforming it into a modern gaming wonderland.

A parallel priority was to outfit the new gaming stations with state-of-the art equipment. When it came to monitors, Dickert wanted to make a clean break from what the team was currently using.

“The specs on the existing monitors were pretty decent, but we had a lot of quality control issues,” he said. “I was having to retire monitors because they had dead pixels, or pixels would pop in and out randomly. I have some horror stories about students being in the middle of a game and the screen dying. I absolutely needed to find a new brand for us to rely on.”

A former educator who had enjoyed using a ViewSonic ViewBoard interactive display in his classroom, Dickert looked at what the company was doing in the esports space, and was impressed.

“My budget was very finite so I was looking to build long-term partnerships with companies that had a similar vision for the ways in which esports can benefit students,” said Dickert. “For me, esports is about more than winning. It’s about building connections between students and contributing to their physical and emotional well-being. It was clear that ViewSonic operated from a similar values standpoint regarding education and esports, so they were a natural fit.”

Before he had a chance to reach out, he was approached by ViewSonic representatives visiting the campus.

“I shared our vision of what we were going to do, how we planned to help students in the space,” said Dickert. “We were very aligned and from there our partnership was born.”

THE SOLUTION

The new esports and gaming facilities consist of two sections separated by a hallway. The Official Southern Miss Esports Arena hosts the University’s National Championship competition teams. The adjacent casual gaming space is open to all students interested in gaming (plus billiards, shuffleboard, and table tennis). Both feature gaming stations equipped with ViewSonic^® XG2431 24” 240Hz gaming monitors.

Distinct areas within the competitive gaming space include the main stage, equipped with five ViewSonic XG2431 gaming monitors; the practice stage, which supports scrimmages and practices with six XG2431 monitors; and a production space equipped with one ViewSonic XG2431 monitor where students learn how to broadcast events, edit video, and more. Another 12 XG2431 monitors are deployed in the casual gaming center, enabling those in the general student population to experience gaming with top-of-the- line equipment.

To further support the program’s mission to develop learning-focused, connected, and healthy individuals through competition, community, and esports experiences, Dickert added a cart-mounted ViewSonic ViewBoard^® IFP7550 75” interactive display to a conference-style setup perpendicular to the main stage.

“The ViewSonic ViewBoard I used as a high school teacher was the best thing ever,” he said. “The ability to display content, click the side of screen to bring up the pen function and draw on the board to enhance the information was incredible and, along with the ability for students to intuitively work at the board, it changed the way I taught. I knew I wanted that for the esports students.”

Finally, to promote the program, Dickert stationed a ViewSonic CDE6512 65” commercial display outside the doorway to the Arena.

RESULTS

It may come as a surprise that both the program lead and the players love the ViewSonic ViewBoard interactive display almost more than the lightning-fast ViewSonic gaming monitors.

“It’s hands down my favorite place in the arena,” said Dickert, “I could gush about this ViewBoard all day.”

For students the 75” interactive display serves a dual purpose, said Dickert, supporting both their competitive and educational goals. Seated together around a conference-table setup facing the ViewBoard display, student athletes can review and mark up gameplay. Similarly, all program participants can use the display to work collaboratively on schoolwork and projects.

“The ViewBoard is an outstanding interactive resource for any type of learning because it’s so intuitive to use and it really draws students in. They absolutely love it. They’ll come in wanting to use it the moment we open the doors for the day and the competitive team is constantly scheduling time with it,” Dickert said, audibly turning to look out his doorway and adding, “Yep, they’re using it right now.”

For Dickert, the ViewBoard interactive display was a game-changer that has helped him meet his core goals as program lead.

“For me this program is about helping students make connections and gain skills that will help them throughout their lives,” he said. “The ViewBoard display absolutely fosters that type of connection, problem solving, and learning.”

Foremost among the many ViewBoard features that Dickert appreciates is the display’s ease of use, whether it’s connected to a PC, or not.

“It’s nice not having to have a PC hooked up to it, that it’s optional. It may be a bit more intuitive when used with PC functionalities, but when it’s alone it still functions incredibly well using Google Chrome and myViewBoard,” he said. “The user interface is very approachable, and everything is easy to navigate. I haven’t had to teach anyone how to use it.”

The ViewSonic XG2431 gaming monitors were equally easy to use, right out of the box – a pleasant surprise that helped get the program up and running more quickly than Dickert anticipated.

“In my experience monitors don’t have good factory settings right out of the box; usually I have to tweak them a bit,” he said. “With these ViewSonic gaming monitors it was a seamless, seamless plug-and-play experience. The images looked great, and we got them set up in a very short amount of time.”

Students of all gaming abilities have been thrilled with the fast response time and refresh rate.

“They care about the snappiness of the tech, and that’s one reason the students really like these monitors,” said Dickert. “They’re very responsive at .5ms – you almost can’t get better than that at an affordable price.”

Most of them, he added are used to playing with screens that max out at a refresh rate of 60Hz to 120Hz, and immediately comment that the gaming with the ViewSonic monitors is a much smoother experience than they’re used to. ViewSonic XG2431 gaming monitors, for example, are capable of achieving a refresh rate of 240Hz.

“ViewSonic is becoming well-known for their gaming monitors and their support for the educational aspects of esports in education,” said Dickert.

“I anticipated that these monitors would be outstanding, and they absolutely are.”

The Fall 2023 season has been the most successful to date for the Southern Miss Esports Program. Participation has grown to a total of 85 competitive players on 15 different teams. Nearly 700 total students – almost seven percent of the total undergraduate enrollment – use the casual gaming stations. All three of the program’s Fortnite teams have qualified for the Fortnite Split 1 NACE National Championship using the ViewSonic monitors. The program has seen similar success from each of its other teams.

“I’m able to get these numbers because our single sign on system tracks who uses the computers, and I’m thrilled with the growth of the program.” said Dickert. “For me, the student experience is the big component of student life at Southern Miss. I celebrate when we win and motivate and encourage harder work when we lose, but I care the most about the connections and that students feel a sense of belonging when they come into the gaming space.”

That goal has been achieved, it is clear, when Dickert notes that the arena and game room have become ‘the living room’ of campus. With no membership fees, and room for all, the program attracts students to all three tiers of the program: signed student athletes who compete in official conferences; Academy Team students who compete in official conferences as developing teams; and Gaming Club participants, a community open for all to experience fun events, conventions, and multi-club collaborations with a gaming twist. Of course, those with an even more casual interest in gaming – or hanging out with gamers – are also welcome in this inviting space.

“When it comes to clubs, we believe in student leadership,” said Dickert. “The gaming club is student-run and includes pretty much everything gaming. They visit conventions together and hold game nights – in fact they had one last night. It’s exactly the type of community activities we had hoped to encourage.”

Next on the agenda for this growing program is a Spring 2024 launch of an Intro to Esports course in partnership with the School of Business.

“It will be a survey-style course where students broadly learn the history and business aspects of esports,” said Dickert. “A core class objective will be to give students hands on experience with esports using the arena space and ViewSonic monitors.”

By then, the ViewSonic CDE6512 65-inch commercial display will be mounted above the doorway to the Arena, drawing in new participants and educating others about the program as they stroll through the USM Student Union and Thad Cochran Center.

“It’s great where it is now,” said Dickert. “But when it’s mounted above the doorway it will deliver an even bigger ‘wow factor.’”

IFP7550 Gen 5 75” 4K ViewBoard Interactive Display

XG2431 - 24" OMNI 1080p 0.5ms 240Hz IPS Gaming Monitor with FreeSync Premium, and HDR400

CDE6512 - 65" Display, 3840 x 2160 Resolution, 290 cd/m2 Brightness, 16/7