Joey Lee
JSL Marketing for ViewSonic [U.S.]
E: joey@jslcomm.com

Miranda Bravo
ViewSonic [U.S.]
E: miranda.bravo@viewsonic.com

Nury Lavandier
ViewSonic [Latin America]
E: nury.lavandier@viewsonic.com

The Easy Button Universities Want: Improving Higher Ed AV Adoption

Joey Lee
JSL Marketing for ViewSonic [U.S.]
E: joey@jslcomm.com

Nury Lavandier
ViewSonic [Latin America]
E: Nury.Lavandier@viewsonic.com

Miranda Bravo
ViewSonic [U.S.]
E: miranda.bravo@viewsonic.com

Miranda Bravo
ViewSonic [U.S.]
E: miranda.bravo@viewsonic.com

Why Teachers Love Split Screen on ViewBoard^® Interactive Displays

Joey Lee
JSL Marketing for ViewSonic [U.S.]
E: joey@jslcomm.com

Nury Lavandier
ViewSonic [Latin America]
E: Nury.Lavandier@viewsonic.com

Miranda Bravo
ViewSonic [U.S.]
E: miranda.bravo@viewsonic.com

Buyer's Guide

Level Up Learning: How Esports Contributes to College and Career Readiness

For a long time, people thought video games were just a distraction. We've spent decades working side by side with educators and IT directors. We know firsthand that the old misconception of esports being simply a frivolous distraction from academics is fading fast, replaced by a more data-driven understanding. Organized and competitive gaming is a powerful engine for driving real educational value and cultivating indispensable career skills.

When schools build competitive gaming programs, they see a massive boost in student engagement. Kids who never joined traditional sports or clubs are suddenly excited to participate in school activities. Scholastic esports refers to organized video gaming competitions within an educational setting. It's a powerful educational tool that builds 21st-century skills and prepares students for high-paying careers.

Let's dive into exactly how competitive gaming sets students up for lifelong success.

Why Should Schools Embrace Esports?

Is esports really good for students? Yes! While students engage with esports because it is something they are passionately excited about, educators see another layer of value with the organic development of critical soft skills. Competitive gaming teaches students how to work together under intense pressure. It goes far beyond simply playing games and actively builds a massive range of technical and leadership skills.

Leadership Skills

Can video games help students build college and career skills? Yes, they absolutely can. In fact, the World Economic Forum's The Future of Jobs Report 2025 identifies analytical thinking, creative thinking, leadership and social influence as some of the top core skills that will only increase in importance. Fast-paced competitive gaming requires incredibly clear, concise and effective communication. Students must learn how to cooperate seamlessly and develop shared strategies in a high-stakes environment. Players are constantly forced to analyze complex challenges. When a match changes from second to second they learn how to adapt their strategies on the fly, think critically about cause and effect and make quick decisions under extreme pressure.

Beyond the screen, the esports ecosystem offers a wide range of roles where students can exercise leadership and social influence. They can easily step up to take on roles as team captains or peer coaches. This hands-on experience teaches them how to handle adversity, recover from significant setbacks and maintain a positive focus under intense pressure. It's real-time problem-solving at its most engaging.

Good Digital Citizenship

Can gaming teach good citizenship? Yes. A structured school program creates a safe environment for students to play and learn. Left on their own online, students might run into or participate in toxic behavior. But school coaches teach them how to interact respectfully and handle wins and losses with grace. They develop crucial digital literacy by learning how to be responsible digital citizens and practice healthy online behaviors.

Academic Achievement and Attendance

Can esports improve grades? Yes, they can. When schools build an esports team, they give unengaged students a reason to show up. By setting a minimum GPA requirement to participate, schools give students a massive motivation to try harder in their academics. It provides a crucial new avenue for school engagement and dramatically improves attendance and a sense of belonging. The chance to compete motivates students to pay attention in class, finish their homework and show up to school every single day.

Exploring Esports Career Pathways

Can you get a job in esports? Absolutely. The skills gained in esports don't just stay in the classroom, lab or arena. They are highly transferable and open doors to incredible future opportunities in fields like IT, marketing, graphic design and event organization.

College Scholarships and Academic Programs

Can you get a scholarship for playing video games? Yes, you absolutely can. One of the most rapidly growing facets of higher education is the expansion of esports scholarships and varsity teams. Thousands of colleges now offer substantial financial aid to talented gamers. You can even explore directories of college esports programs to see exactly which schools are actively recruiting players. Beyond the playing field, universities are creating dedicated degree and certificate programs in related fields. Students can now major in game design, media production, esports management and marketing to turn their passion into a legitimized academic path.

Broadcasting and Shoutcasting

What’s a shoutcaster? A shoutcaster is like a sports announcer for video games. Students interested in media can manage the entire backend of an event by handling AV work or coordinating live streams as shoutcasters. This is fantastic practice for a future career in event production and broadcasting.

Video Editing

Can making gaming videos lead to a job? Yes. Many professional editors for major esports teams, popular influencers and top tech companies actually got their start right in this space. They began by making fan edits of pro gameplay or cutting together highlight reels of their own matches. When students create this kind of engaging content, they naturally learn the ropes of media production. This hands-on experience lets them build an impressive portfolio of work before they even graduate.

Game Design and Development

How do students make games? Playing games naturally sparks an interest in how they're built from the ground up. If a student has a passion for the art of gaming, they might be inspired to learn coding and software development to create their own games. They can also learn storytelling, storyboarding and animation, and audio production to build compelling characters and worlds.

Event Management and Marketing

Who runs the program and the tournaments? Schools often partner with official providers like NASEF to host competitive tournaments. But an esports event takes a huge amount of work to pull off successfully and so does running the actual team. Getting students actively involved in day-to-day program management is hugely beneficial alongside live event production. Students can easily take charge of scheduling, marketing, content creation and project management. These hands-on experiences are invaluable for future roles in business operations, marketing and community management.

IT Support and Network Engineering

How does esports teach IT skills? Someone has to keep the computers running and the internet connection stable. Students interested in technology can help set up the gaming lab. This gives them practical experience for future careers in IT and network management.

Best Practices for Implementing Esports Programs

How do you start a successful scholastic esports team? Implementing a successful program requires careful planning and a commitment to positive student outcomes. Here are a few key best practices to guide you:

• Build an inclusive culture: Prioritize diversity and sportsmanship from day one to ensure a safe and welcoming environment for everyone.
• Ensure academic balance: Create clear eligibility guidelines and promote a healthy balance between screen time, studies and other activities.
• Provide quality equipment: Equitable access is key. Secure reliable hardware to level the playing field for all students.
• Train coaches and mentors: Invest in the development of staff who can serve as effective role models and guides.
• Partner with the community: Connect with local esports organizations and industry partners to create new learning opportunities and pathways.

Equipping Your Campus for Success

What equipment do you need for a school esports program? You do not have to build a massive arena on day one. Building a new setup from scratch can feel overwhelming but schools can easily take a tiered approach based on their budget and space to get students playing right away.

• The Economical Approach: Start small with portable monitors paired with a Nintendo Switch. The library media teacher can easily manage these compact displays and allow kids to check them out for flexible play anywhere on campus.
• The Mid-Level Approach: Use products your school already has. You can easily connect a console to an Interactive Flat Panel (IFP) for instant team gaming in any classroom. Check out our video on an easy way to get started in esports to see why starting simple with games like Mario Kart on the Nintendo Switch is affordable, easy to learn and incredibly fun. You can also explore real-world school examples in our gaming setup video. It shows how educators use IFPs and "gamer backpacks" to create flexible gaming spaces while teaching students responsibility for their setup.
• The High-End Approach: Build a dedicated lab. This means outfitting a room with a whole fleet of high-performance gaming monitors for a true varsity experience or designing a dedicated esports lounge when your funding allows. You can explore our esports solutions for schools to find the perfect equipment for your new arena.

ViewSonic has extensive experience helping schools build out their esports programs to meet these exact needs. You can see how transformative this technology is by reading how one school district offers esports to all ages by leveraging ViewSonic display infrastructure.

Why the Right Hardware Matters

Do monitors impact gaming performance? They make a massive difference. Standard office monitors usually refresh graphics 60 times a second. That's too slow for competitive gaming and causes motion blur. ViewSonic offers a range of high-performance esports displays that deliver the crucial features that competitive players need.

We recently introduced a gaming monitor with switchable refresh rates that's absolutely perfect for school labs. It lets students swap between a stunning 4K resolution for creative design work during the school day and an ultra-fast 288Hz refresh rate for competitive gaming after the bell rings.

**Actual refresh rates may vary depending on system configuration, cable quality, and connected devices.

Build Your Esports Program Today

Every student deserves a place to belong and a clear path to success. By bringing competitive gaming to your school you provide a highly engaging way for students to learn crucial life skills. You aren't just building a place to play games. You're building a modern classroom that prepares them for college and their future careers.

IT Support and Network Engineering

Ready to build your campus arena and inspire your students? Browse our full lineup of ViewSonic gaming monitors and grab the perfect equipment for your school today.

Amplify Your Lessons: The Power of Interactive Displays with a Built-In Microphone

Buyer's Guide

How Teacher Feedback Shapes the Future of the Classroom

There was a time when teacher feedback was just a nice bonus for tech companies. Today, it has become the absolute primary driver of classroom innovation. A common misconception is that educational technology is just about replacing an old chalkboard with a shiny new screen. However, true Edtech is about building a teacher-centric roadmap that drives real student engagement and better learning outcomes. When companies listen to the educators who actually use their tools every single day, they can create hardware and software that truly changes the game.

Let’s look at exactly how your feedback has influenced the latest product updates at ViewSonic.

Upgrading the ID2456-4K Touch Display

How did teachers improve this podium display? You shared a major classroom frustration with us. For years, teachers had to turn their backs to students to write on the whiteboard or front-of-classroom display. You asked for a better way. We listened and created the myPodium™ ID2456 touch display. This 24-inch screen lets educators face the class while writing. Whatever you draw instantly shows up on the large classroom display or projector for the whole class to see. It keeps you completely engaged with the room.

But we didn’t stop there. We kept listening to your direct feedback to make the next version even better. You wanted sharper visuals, cleaner setups and smarter tools. We took those notes and rolled out the second generation. We upgraded the screen to stunning 4K. We also made two massive physical design changes.

First, we moved all the cable ports to the back of the device facing downward. This ensures messy wires are no longer sticking out of the sides. Your workspace stays perfectly neat. The entire setup connects to a laptop via one single USB-C cable.

Second, we added a dedicated dock that charges the smart pen wirelessly. Now you never have to plug in a USB cable to charge it again. Your pen is simply always ready to go.

Building a Better myViewBoard 3.0

What’s new in our whiteboarding software? We originally created myViewBoard to give teachers a powerful digital whiteboard. But as educators used the software day to day, they quickly noticed a few practical features were missing. Teachers specifically asked for a way to use tabs and a method for saving participate mode. We listened to those ideas and completely redesigned the user interface to build myViewBoard 3.0.

The absolute biggest win for educators is the brand new tabs feature. Teachers can now open multiple lessons in tabs exactly like a web browser. This allows instructors to switch between different class periods instantly without losing their place.

Teachers also loved Participate Mode, but wanted a way to customize and save work. This mode allows up to six students to write on the ViewBoard display at the exact same time. Thanks to teacher input, the new updates allow you to change the background to things like grid paper for math lessons. You can also easily save the final session as a file for student portfolios.

Lastly, we added crucial accessibility tools to make sure no student is left behind. This includes a Spotlight tool to focus student attention, Irlen filters for color blindness and an Immersive Reader for translation and literacy support. It’s a smarter digital whiteboard built entirely around daily classroom needs.

Creating Safer Wireless Casting With AirSync

Why did we build a dedicated casting tool? We packed myViewBoard with tons of amazing features for the classroom. But we heard from plenty of teachers who didn’t want all those extra bells and whistles. You told us you just wanted a simple and reliable way to cast your screen. We listened to that feedback and created AirSync.

This wireless casting software allows you to mirror your screen from any device to one or multiple larger displays. We also added a highly requested Moderator Mode so teachers can see a list of students who want to share their screens. You can approve them one by one. This completely prevents unapproved content from showing up on the board.

It also offers incredible flexibility for everyone in the room. It supports native casting like AirPlay and Chromecast, but it also has a convenient browser-based version at AirSync.net. This means guests can quickly share their screens without downloading a separate app. It is simple, secure and exactly what you asked for.

Learn more about AirSync

Expanding Classroom Safety Tools

What does ViewSonic Manager software offer schools? School security is a massive issue these days. Administrators came to us with a critical problem. They needed a secure way to send alerts directly to classroom devices. Relying on a loudspeaker simply isn’t safe when a threat could hear it. We listened and updated Manager. Manager is our remote management tool designed specifically for IT staff. It includes a free feature called CAP Messaging. This tool connects your classroom displays directly to the school’s emergency alert system like CrisisGo or Raptor. Thanks to these integrations, teachers can now see clear visual alerts right on their board for fire drills or lockdowns.

Learn more about Manager

How to Share Your Feedback

Where can teachers submit their new ideas? We always want to hear from you! You can easily submit ideas using the in-app form located directly inside your myViewBoard settings. You can also join the ViewSonic Educator Community to request new features, share lesson plans and connect with other amazing teachers.

Buyer's Guide

How USB-C Docking Monitors Reduce School District IT Costs and Complexity

USB-C docking monitors are a powerful tool for modernizing school districts from the front office to the classroom. As educational technology becomes more integrated into the daily curriculum, the hidden costs of expensive docking stations, cable management and lost dongles are beginning to pile up.

But the problem goes way beyond just the initial price tag. Think about the massive deployment and asset management headache traditional setups create. Your IT team has to buy, track and maintain separate monitors, bulky docking stations and a huge tangle of power and display cables for every single desk. When a cord breaks or a dongle goes missing, it creates instant frustration for teachers and piles up support tickets for your staff.

For IT directors and school administrators looking to streamline their hardware footprint while staying within budget, the transition to a single-cable solution isn't just a luxury. It's an innovative, strategic move to reduce technical friction for teachers and dramatically cut down the time and money spent managing campus technology.

What is a Docking Monitor?

How does a USB-C docking monitor work? A docking monitor is a high-performance display that acts as a central hub for a workstation. Unlike traditional monitors that only receive a video signal, a USB-C monitor uses a single USB-C cable to handle high-speed data transfer, video output and laptop charging simultaneously.

What really makes it a true docking monitor are the extra built-in features that completely replace a separate external dock:

• RJ45 Port: This provides a secure and lightning-fast hardwired internet connection directly to your laptop.
• USB Hub: This lets you easily connect all your daily accessories like a mouse, keyboard and webcam right to the monitor.
• Daisy Chaining: Select models let you easily link a second monitor directly to the first one for a massive dual-screen setup.

In a school setting, this means a teacher or staff member can walk up to a desk, plug in one cable and instantly have their laptop connected to the school network, their favorite accessories and a large display all while their battery charges.

The Benefits of USB-C Docking Monitors in Education

Why are schools switching to docking monitors? The primary driver behind the shift to docking monitors is unmatched ease of use. By removing the spaghetti mess of cables and the confusion of multiple ports, schools create an environment where technology is a tool rather than a barrier.

Accessibility for All Staff

Are docking monitors easy to use? Technology should never be intimidating. For office staff or educators who may not feel tech-savvy, the docking monitor is a great solution. There's no need to worry about which port goes where or whether they have the right adapter. Once deployed, it’s a simple plug-and-play experience that builds confidence and saves time during busy school days.

Versatility for Shared Spaces and Substitutes

How do these monitors help shared classrooms? Classrooms are high-traffic environments and a USB-C docking monitor makes a classroom truly universal. The classroom teacher can use the large screen for grading and lesson planning in the morning. Then if a substitute or traveling teacher takes over the room later, they can simply plug in their own device and be ready to go in seconds. This flexibility ensures that every workstation remains functional regardless of who is using it.

Creating Learning Stations for Students

Can students use the teacher's monitor? The docking monitor transforms the teacher’s desk into a collaborative learning hub. Instead of a teacher bending down to look at a student’s small laptop screen, the student can simply plug their device into the USB-C cable. The desktop instantly becomes a high-visibility station for one-on-one feedback or small-group work. This allows the teacher to see student work clearly and comfortably. You can see how one school district supports small group and hybrid learning with the ViewSonic 24-inch VG2456 docking monitor to bring this exact concept to life.

Cutting Costs and Reducing IT Complexity

How do docking monitors save money? Budget transparency is vital for school districts. Transitioning to docking monitors provides a clear path to reducing hardware expenditures.

Eliminating the Docking Station Tax

Do you still need a separate dock? You do not. Traditional setups require purchasing a separate docking station in addition to the monitor. Those separate docks can cost between $150 and $300. By choosing a display with a built-in dock, you eliminate an entire category of hardware. This cost saving makes it feasible to outfit all your classrooms and office desks with a professional-grade workstation.

Maximizing Screen Space

Are laptop screens big enough for teachers and staff? While laptops are portable, they often lack the screen size needed for heavy lifting. Tasks like handling IEPs, grading programs or master scheduling software require educators to see more data at once. With sizes ranging from 24” to 34”, a docking monitor provides the necessary space for these high-detail tasks at a fraction of the cost of a multi-component setup.

Maximizing Productivity with Daisy Chaining

What is daisy chaining? One of the most powerful features of modern docking station monitors is the ability to daisy chain. This allows you to connect a second monitor directly to the first one using a single output rather than running two separate cables to the laptop.

How does it help school staff?

• For Office Staff: A staff member managing substitute schedules can spread their spreadsheets across two screens to see the whole week at a glance.
• For Teachers: Grading becomes much faster when you can have student work open on one screen and the digital grading platform open on the other. This allows for side-by-side comparison and instant data entry.

Best Practices for Implementing Docking Monitors

How do you set up a successful monitor refresh? To get the most out of your hardware refresh, consider these implementation tips:

• Standardize Cables: Ensure every room is equipped with a high-quality and high-bandwidth USB-C cable to prevent connectivity issues.
• Prioritize Power Delivery: Look for monitors that offer at least 60W to 100W of power delivery to ensure even the most powerful faculty laptops stay charged.

Get Best-in-Class Docking Monitors with ViewSonic

ViewSonic provides a range of USB-C docking monitors specifically designed to simplify school environments. With features like built-in Ethernet ports, daisy-chaining capabilities and ergonomic stands, ViewSonic monitors help schools cut costs without sacrificing performance.

Ready to simplify your school's workstations? Explore ViewSonic's full line of education monitors and see how much your district can save today.

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Community Webinar Recap: Turn Your ViewBoard Into a Classroom Powerhouse

Did you miss our recent webinar: Teach, Translate, Create: Everyday Magic with the ViewSonic^® EDLA Panel? Don’t worry. We’ve rounded up the best tips from George Barcenas, a professional development trainer who knows these ViewBoard displays inside and out.

If you’re using one of our Android™ EDLA-certified ViewBoard^®displays (like the IFP41 or IFP51 series), you already have a world of Google apps at your fingertips. Here’s how George turns that technology into something truly special.

Make Your ViewBoard Feel Like a Giant Phone

Most of us are used to clicking buttons at the bottom of a screen. George showed a better way. By updating your settings, you can switch to gesture-based navigation.

Imagine swiping down for settings or swiping up to see all your apps. It makes the ViewBoard feel just like a giant smartphone. It is fast, intuitive and keeps your lesson moving without you having to hunt for icons. 

Breaking Language Barriers in Real Time

One of the most powerful tools George highlighted was Google Translate. Because these panels have the Google Play Store, you can download the app directly to your ViewBoard.

George shared a funny story about translating his own parent-teacher conferences as a kid. He joked about “tweaking” the translation so he wouldn’t get in trouble! By using Google Translate on your board, parents will know exactly what you’re saying. Students won’t be able to translate the opposite of your words. 

You can use the split-screen feature to run Google Translate next to your slides or Chrome. As long as your ViewBoard has a microphone (such as the IFP41 series), you can provide live captions for ELL students. It is an easy way to make sure every student and parent feels included.

Level Up Your Engagement with Canva

We all know teachers love Canva. When you run the Canva app on your ViewBoard, you can sync it with your phone.

George showed how you can use your phone as a remote to add fun effects like digital curtains or bubbles. It turns a standard presentation into an interactive experience that keeps students focused. Remember,almost any app you know and love can be used on our ViewBoards^® with Google Play Store. 

See the Magic for Yourself

It was even great to see George learn something new! He discovered how to screen record directly on the panel during the session. We are all learning together in this community.

Ready to see these features in action?

Watch the full webinar replay here.

Sign up for our next Community session.

Buyer's Guide

Beyond the Apple Ecosystem: Budget-Friendly MacBook Air Monitors for Higher Education

BLOG

Summative vs Formative Assessments: When to Use Them and How ClassSwift Can Help

Assessment has always been a core part of teaching, and it plays an essential role in supporting student learning. Educators are expected to monitor understanding, provide meaningful feedback, meet curriculum requirements, and manage grading and reporting, often within limited instructional time.

Choosing the right type of assessment at the right moment helps teachers support student growth, adjust instruction more effectively, and measure learning outcomes with confidence.

Importantly, assessments do not have to wait until homework is checked or tests are graded.

This guide explains formative and summative assessments, offers practical guidance on when to use each, and shows how tools like ViewSonic ClassSwift can help support better teaching and learning.

What Are Formative and Summative Assessments?

Formative and summative assessments serve different purposes within the learning process. Both are essential, but they answer different questions for teachers and students.

Formative assessment is used during instruction to check understanding and guide next steps. These assessments are typically low stakes and ongoing. The primary goal is to provide feedback that helps students improve while learning is still happening. 

Common examples include:

• Quick quizzes or polls
• Exit tickets
• Class discussions
• Practice activities
• Peer feedback
• Checks for understanding during lessons 

Summative assessment is used after instruction to evaluate overall learning. These assessments are usually higher stakes and often contribute to final grades or reporting.

Common examples include:

• Unit tests and final exams
• End-of-term projects
• Standardized assessments
• Final presentations or portfolios

Used together, formative and summative assessments provide a more complete picture of student learning.

Key Differences Between Formative and Summative Assessment

While both assessment types measure learning, they differ in purpose, timing, and how the results are used. Understanding these differences helps educators choose the right approach for each instructional moment.

Rather than choosing one over the other, effective assessment strategies use both intentionally.

When to Use Each Type of Assessment

The best assessment choice depends on your instructional goals and where students are in the learning process.

Factors to Consider When Choosing Assessment Types

Before deciding which assessment to use, consider:

• Instructional goals: Are you supporting learning or evaluating mastery?
• Student needs: Do students need feedback, practice, or a final measure of understanding?
• Curriculum expectations: What standards or outcomes must be demonstrated?
• School or district policy: Are specific assessments required?
• Timing: Is learning still in progress, or has instruction concluded?

These factors help ensure assessment supports learning rather than interrupting it.

When to Use Formative Assessment

If your goal is to guide learning and adjust instruction, formative assessment is the right choice. It works best when you need to:

• Check understanding during a lesson
• Identify misconceptions early
• Adjust pacing or instructional strategies
• Support student confidence and engagement
• Encourage reflection and self-assessment
• Monitor progress on ongoing projects

Formative assessments help teachers respond while there is still time to make a difference.

When to Use Summative Assessment

If your goal is to measure mastery and document learning outcomes, summative assessment is the better fit. Use it when you need to:

• Evaluate understanding at the end of a unit or course
• Assign final grades
• Measure progress toward standards
• Prepare students for standardized testing
• Assess final projects or presentations
• Report achievement to families or administrators

Summative assessments confirm what students have learned after instruction is complete. 

The Role of Technology in Modern Assessment

Technology has changed how assessments are created, delivered, and analyzed. Digital assessment tools reduce manual work while giving educators clearer insights into student learning.

Modern assessment technology can:

• Automate grading and reduce administrative tasks
• Deliver instant, actionable feedback to students
• Monitor student progress in real time
• Support equity and accessibility
• Centralize data and reporting
• Enhance security for high-stakes assessments
• Integrate with classroom tools and LMS platforms 

For a deeper look at how technology supports assessment, explore ViewSonic’s guide to educational assessment tools for formative and summative learning.

How ClassSwift Supports Both Formative and Summative Assessment

ClassSwift is built to simplify assessment, not complicate it. It supports both formative and summative workflows in one intuitive platform, helping teachers spend less time managing assessments and more time teaching.

With ClassSwift, educators can:

• Quickly design, assign, and deliver formative assessments
• Use digital delivery across devices
• Provide instant feedback with auto-grading tools
• View analytics dashboards that highlight trends and learning gaps (paid subscription required)
• Differentiate instruction based on assessment data
• Support a wide range of question types and formats
• Ensure test security for summative assessments
• Integrate smoothly with leading LMS platforms and gradebooks (paid subscription required) 

ClassSwift also supports responsive teaching by turning assessment data into clear next steps.

Learn more about ClassSwift’s holistic approach here.

Tips for Balancing Formative and Summative Assessments in the Classroom

A balanced assessment strategy combines both types to support learning and accountability. These tips can help teachers strike the right balance.

• Blend assessment types: Use formative assessments to guide instruction and summative assessments to confirm mastery.
• Use formative data to prepare students: Address learning gaps before high-stakes assessments.
• Make feedback clear and constructive: Feedback should help students understand how to improve, not just what they missed.
• Avoid assessment overload: Focus on meaningful assessments rather than frequent testing.
• Plan ahead: Use ClassSwift’s planning and scheduling tools to align assessments with instruction.
• Review data regularly: Look for patterns that can inform future lessons and interventions. For more guidance on feedback strategies, check out this resource on creating effective feedback with education technology. 

For more guidance on feedback strategies, check out this resource on creating effective feedback with education technology.

Getting Started with ClassSwift for Smarter Assessment

Effective assessment supports better learning for students and better decision-making for teachers. With the right tools, assessment becomes a natural part of instruction rather than an added burden.

ClassSwift, part of ViewSonic’s education solutions ecosystem, helps schools streamline formative and summative assessments while supporting engagement and responsive teaching.

From quick understanding checks to preparation for end-of-term exams, ClassSwift provides the flexibility, insights, and simplicity educators need.

Learn more about ClassSwift and how to get started:

 https://www.viewsonic.com/edu/classswift-software

Explore additional education solutions from ViewSonic:

 https://www.viewsonic.com/edu/ 

CASE STUDY

University Faculty and IT Team Gain Efficiency and Efficacy with ViewSonic^® Digital Podiums

SCHOOL

Coker University is a student-focused, private liberal arts college located in Hartsville, South Carolina. Founded in 1908, Coker is a bachelor’s and master’s degree-granting institution and competes in 24 NCAA Division II sports. Redefining undergraduate research, Coker students participate in local and regional conferences and competitions. Coker combines round table, discussion-based learning with hands-on experiences to promote active participation in and out of the classroom.

“I’m just starting to touch on what it can do, and so far, I can’t imagine a better outcome than [the myPodium ID2456-4K]. I’d rate the upgrade a 10/10 and I’m not always that generous.”

— Joseph Flaherty, PhD, Research Director and Professor of Biology at Coker

CHALLENGE

When Information Technology Director Charlie Poag joined the Coker University team, edtech across the campus was ripe for an upgrade. Classrooms contained an array of disparate technology from a range of manufacturers, which led to inefficiencies and challenges for both IT and faculty.

“We can’t be experts in every technology out there and maintaining such a broad mix efficiently was more than our small team could do,” said Poag. “Faculty was frustrated and we were receiving a lot of help desk tickets.”

The edtech landscape had changed dramatically since the aging Coker classroom technology had been installed. Poag’s objective was to standardize around a common solution. But first his team would need to identify which solution would best meet their faculty’s needs.

“We began our due diligence and discovered that each manufacturer had many models of each product category – from projectors to interactive displays.” said Poag. “Edtech has become a complex landscape, with a huge array of options.”

As his team began the process of researching the latest edtech, Poag was introduced to Tyler Davis, a regional rep from Howard Technology Solutions. During their initial conversation, Poag recognized the value of partnering with an AV pro like Howard.

“The folks at Howard know the edtech landscape through and through, and it was clear that they could be a big help with our upgrades,” said Poag. “As a starting point, Tyler offered to give us his favorite new edtech product to evaluate – the ViewSonic 4K Digital Podium.”

SOLUTION

The Coker IT Team put the Digital Podium (ViewSonic myPodium™ ID2456-4K) in a well-used classroom and invited feedback from faculty.

“The response was very positive,” said Poag. “The faculty loved it. Based on this, we purchased five more, putting one in each academic building.”

After allowing time to get to know the product, the IT team conducted a survey to gain insight into the upcoming upgrades.

“We gave them options based on technology they had been using for some time, such as Promethean and SMART boards, and we asked what technology they would like to use going forward,” said Poag. “Overwhelmingly the faculty wanted to use the ViewSonic podiums.”

At that point, Poag had the direction he needed to begin unifying the technology across all Coker classrooms.

Top of the list were the athletic building classrooms, where users had been increasingly frustrated with the aging technology. While Poag and his team worked with Howard to create an upgrade plan, a grant came in to refurbish the entire science building. In the end, more than two thirds of the Coker classrooms were unified around ViewSonic products, including ViewSonic Commercial Displays (CDE8630 and CDE9830), ViewSonic Laser Projectors 
(LS92OWU) and the ViewSonic myPodium ID2456-4K.

“Wherever possible, we upgraded to the ViewSonic Commercial Displays for front-of the-room viewing,” said Poag. “Where we had pre-existing cabling to the ceiling we upgraded to ViewSonic’s 6000-lumens Laser Projector.”

RESULTS

From an IT perspective, the results could hardly have been better: faculty were happier and so was the IT team. What’s more, the upgrade made smart use of the university’s limited resources and would continue to reduce costs over time. “These podiums are a terrific solution for so many reasons,” said Poag. “For one thing, they are so much more affordable than putting a large touchscreen in every classroom. And, in my opinion, they’re a better fit for the job because instructors don’t have to turn their back on the students to annotate content.” Unifying around ViewSonic products, said Poag, has enabled his team to operate with greater efficiency and expertise.

“We can really get to know this product, how to best train instructors, and how to effectively maintain and troubleshoot,” said Poag. “Now faculty can move seamlessly from classroom to classroom, and the IT team is fielding far fewer tech support calls.” 

And, with modern laser projectors, the IT team purchases fewer bulbs and spends less time on maintenance.

“Another benefit of the digital podiums,” added Poag, “is the ability for faculty to connect their devices with USB-C, while maintaining the connection to the PC we provide in the room. They have the choice of which to use, and this eliminates any confusion around which device is connected. We used to get a lot of calls about disconnections and faculty having to reboot the PC.” From an instructional perspective, the new technology is enabling more streamlined and interactive instruction, along with more visible content.

“The large screens in the front of the classroom are magnificent,” said Joseph Flaherty, PhD, Research Director and Professor of Biology at Coker.

“The panels are highly visible from everywhere in the room and they’re perfect screens for visualizing detailed content. It’s a big improvement 
over the old projectors.”

Because of past encounters with digital whiteboards that were clunky, slow and challenging to use, Flaherty prefers the smooth, responsive touch panel on the ViewSonic myPodium ID2456-4K.

“The screen is such high quality, it’s like using your phone, and I love not having to turn my back on students.” said Flaherty. “The fast, responsive screen makes it a breeze to interact with content. I particularly appreciate being able to pinch and zoom in to highlight material – that alone makes teaching easier. I look forward to learning more about the functionality and how it can further help me add impact to instruction.”

Although he knows he’s just scratched the surface of what he’ll be able  to accomplish with the digital podium, Flaherty is already thankful that the IT team partnered with ViewSonic.

“I’m just starting to touch on what it can do, and so far, I can’t imagine a better outcome than this product,” he concluded. “I’d rate the upgrade a 10/10 and I’m not always that generous.”

The IT team is likewise thankful for the growing relationship with both Howard and ViewSonic.

“We love having Howard as our AV partner; they’re very responsive and listen well and make sure understand the need before they start recommending products,” said Poag. “They’ve connected us with our ViewSonic rep Randy, who has also been very helpful.”

ID2456-4K - 24” 4K Podium Touch Display with Active Stylus and Advanced Ergonomics

Joey Lee
JSL Marketing for ViewSonic [U.S.]
E: joey@jslcomm.com

Nury Lavandier
ViewSonic [Latin America]
E: Nury.Lavandier@viewsonic.com

Miranda Bravo
ViewSonic [U.S.]
E: miranda.bravo@viewsonic.com

SOLUTION BRIEF

Higher Education Hybrid Classroom Gets Transformative Upgrade with ViewSonic Direct View LED Displays and More

BACKGROUND

For one school district located in western Canada representing a large and diverse network of K-12 public schools, raising the bar of excellence for digital learning was achieved with ViewSonic’s ViewBoard solution.

Not only is the upgraded classroom now a cutting-edge digital learning environment, it is also a model for future classroom refreshes. The integrated technology seamlessly blends in-person and remote experiences, delivering a host of benefits to faculty, students, and the IT team.

— Miles Brandon, Owner, Capistrano VW

CHALLENGE

A recognized leader in STEM higher education, this large state university is dedicated to being on the forefront of classroom technology. To facilitate efficient use of technology resources, the university offers instructors a variety of classroom configurations to meet their edtech needs. At the pinnacle of these options are classrooms equipped to simultaneously deliver instruction to in-person and remote students. Live-monitored by university IT staff to prevent tech-related disruption, these rooms serve an important role in extending the reach of instruction.

One such classroom was due for a major technology update. The existing setup relied on two ceiling-mounted projectors, which cast content onto dual wall screens. It was time to upgrade to technology that would support the range of modern learning options and instructional modalities: a state-of-the-art video wall that would deliver bright, consistently sharp visuals for every student. More importantly, the solution needed to seamlessly deliver content to in-person and distance learners, while creating an environment that connected those audiences and provided intuitive control for the instructor.

Several types of displays would be needed to support these goals, including large, vibrant front-of-room displays for on-site learners; displays to bring Zoom participants into the room; confidence displays for the instructor at the back of the room; and an interactive display at the instructor podium. All of which would be maintained and monitored in real time by university IT staff.

SOLUTION

To accomplish these goals, the IT group worked with longtime reseller partner ClarkPowell, which recommended ViewSonic for the display component of the installation. The IT team reviewed the recommendations and agreed that this would be an ideal solution for their needs, commenting in particular on the durability of the ViewSonic^® Direct View LED (dvLED) display with Glue-on- Board (GOB) technology and the ability to swap individual panels with included spares, which would streamline maintenance.

The final front-of-room solution included two 136-inch ViewSonic All-in-One dvLED video walls (Model LDM136-151) to present class content. These would be mounted on either side of a ViewSonic 98-inch 4K commercial display (model CDE9830). Two ViewSonic 65-inch commercial displays (model CDE6530) would be mounted to the back wall for instructor visibility: one to mirror the instructional content; one to display Zoom participants.

Finally, the instructor podium would be equipped with a ViewSonic 24-inch digital podium touch display (model ID2456-4K) that would enable faculty to intuitively deliver content and connect with students using integrated ViewSonic^® ViewDirector™ software. To ensure seamless operation, the ClarkPowell team would integrate the ViewSonic displays into the classroom’s existing Crestron matrix switcher.

RESULTS

The integrated technology seamlessly blends in-person and remote experiences, delivering a host of benefits to faculty, students, and the IT team.

Instructors appreciate no longer having to contend with projector lights shining in their eyes, as well as being able to maintain focus on students. The confidence monitors in the back of the room allow presenters to easily confirm that their content is looking as it should on the front screens, while also providing an interface with students joining on Zoom.

The brightness and clarity of the ViewSonic dvLED displays provides classroom and remote students with a clearer view of content in all lighting conditions, while also delivering outstanding recorded images – a critical component of serving the needs of asynchronous distance learners. Along with this consistency in lighting, the IT team benefits from the lower, and easier, maintenance offered by the dvLED displays. All of which provides more streamlined instruction with greater efficiency and reduced costs. /span>

What’s more, a visiting IT specialist mentioned that one of their university’s classrooms had an outdated dvLED display that lacked GOB surface treatment, which resulted in damage, and added repair costs, when students bumped into it.

The university’s stated objective for its top-tier tech classrooms is to empower faculty to deliver modern, high-impact instruction to a range of students, without the burden of technical barriers. In these spaces, the edtech allows faculty to focus on teaching, not troubleshooting. This classroom upgrade has achieved just that, with bright and durable ViewSonic dvLED video walls, commercial displays, and a digital podium touch display shining as the foundational visual technology.

LDM136-151 136” All-in-One Direct View LED Display

CDE9830 98” 4K Commercial Display

CDE6530 65” 4K Commercial Display

ID2456-4K 24” 4K Podium Touch Display

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4 Proven Ways to Increase Student Engagement and Learning

Keeping students engaged while driving meaningful learning is one of the biggest challenges educators face today. With diverse learning styles, evolving classroom technology, and rising expectations, it can be difficult to keep every student involved and motivated. 

Student engagement plays a critical role in academic success. Research shows that when students are actively engaged, they are more likely to understand concepts, retain information, and participate with confidence (Gallup, 2019).

Interactive tools such as ClassSwift help educators apply proven engagement strategies in practical, classroom-ready ways.

Below are four proven ways to increase student engagement and learning, along with examples of how ClassSwift supports responsive and inclusive instruction.

Why Student Engagement Matters for Learning Success

Student engagement refers to how involved students are in the learning process. This includes participation, motivation, and the ability to think critically about what they are learning.

Studies consistently show a strong link between student engagement and positive learning outcomes. Engaged students tend to perform better academically, demonstrate stronger retention, and develop more positive attitudes toward learning (Fredricks, Blumenfeld, & Paris, 2004).

Active learning strategies such as collaboration, real-time feedback, and student choice help move learning beyond passive listening.

For a deeper look at the research behind engagement, check out ViewSonic’s guide on what student engagement is and why it matters for helpful context and classroom insights.

How ClassSwift Can Help Increase Student Engagement and Learning

ClassSwift is designed to support everyday classroom engagement by helping teachers gather insight quickly, adapt instruction, and keep students actively involved throughout a lesson.

It allows teachers to collect a range of student responses, including multiple choice answers, short written responses, sketches, and audio submissions. This helps participation extend beyond hand-raising or verbal discussion.

1. Real-Time Polls and Quizzes for Instant Feedback

Checking understanding during a lesson helps teachers respond before confusion grows. Real-time polls and short quizzes give educators immediate insight into what students understand and where they may need support.

With ClassSwift, teachers can launch live polls or short quizzes as lessons unfold.

These tools encourage participation from every student, not just those who raise their hands, and provide timely insights so educators can adjust their lessons as needed.

This type of responsive teaching aligns with best practices outlined in ViewSonic’s article on student engagement in the modern classroom. 

2. Interactive Assignments and Multimedia Responses

Students engage more deeply when they have multiple ways to demonstrate understanding. Assignments that allow students to respond using drawings, images, multiple choice answers, short written responses, or audio recordings help reach learners with different strengths and preferences.

ClassSwift supports these varied response formats, making it easier for teachers to design activities that keep lessons dynamic while encouraging students to take ownership of their learning.

For more ideas on engaging diverse learners, ViewSonic’s resource on student engagement strategies for learners of all ages offers practical classroom examples. 

3.Gamified Learning for Greater Motivation

Gamification is a proven way to increase motivation and participation. Timed challenges, progress tracking, and recognition features help turn learning into an active experience.

ClassSwift includes game-inspired tools such as timers, buzzers, and interactive activities that encourage healthy competition and sustained focus. When learning feels fun and rewarding, students are more likely to stay engaged and push through challenges.

4. Personalized and Adaptive Learning Pathways

Every student learns at a different pace. Personalized instruction helps ensure that learners feel supported without being overwhelmed or bored.

With ClassSwift, teachers can assign differentiated tasks based on individual student needs. Struggling learners receive targeted support, while advanced students can explore more challenging material.

Personalized pathways help improve both engagement and learning outcomes by meeting students at their current level of understanding.

Additional ClassSwift Features That Support Engagement

Beyond daily classroom activities, ClassSwift Pro (for schools and districts) includes features that support engagement for both teachers and students.

These features include the following, which may require a paid subscription:

• Analytics dashboards that provide insight into participation and understanding
• Integration with classroom technology, including interactive displays

Together, these tools help create a more supportive and engaging classroom experience.

For a closer look at how these features work together, explore ViewSonic’s overview of ClassSwift’s holistic approach to engagement, assessment, and responsive teaching.

Real Classroom Results: Success Stories with ClassSwift

Educators using ClassSwift have seen measurable improvements in engagement and learning across different subjects and grade levels.

In one real-world example, teachers at Mayfair Middle/High school used ClassSwift in language classrooms to increase participation and accountability.

Gamified tools such as timers and buzzers encouraged students to respond more quickly and stay focused, while real-time insights helped teachers adjust instruction and provide targeted feedback.

See the full case study on how ClassSwift enhanced language learning.

In another instance, teachers at Heathlands Primary Academy used ClassSwift’s push-and-respond quizzes to gather instant feedback during lessons. This allowed educators to revisit topics immediately when students struggled, leading to stronger understanding and higher participation.

Learn how Heathlands Primary Academy improved engagement with ClassSwift.

These examples show how pairing proven engagement strategies with the right technology can support measurable improvements in student learning.

How to Get Started with ClassSwift

Improving student engagement does not require a complete change in teaching approach. Starting with small steps, such as real-time check-ins or interactive assignments, can make a meaningful difference.

ClassSwift helps educators apply these strategies efficiently and at scale. To learn more, visit the ClassSwift software page or explore ViewSonic’s full range of education solutions. 

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5 Innovative Ways to Use Digital Displays Around Your Campus

As campuses look for better ways to engage students, streamline operations, and manage growing information needs, digital display technology offers a practical solution that scales across the entire campus.

From classroom instruction to safety alerts, digital displays help schools communicate more effectively across both academic and non-academic spaces. Unlike printed signs or static posters, digital displays are flexible, easy to update, and designed for real-time communication. 

The Transformative Power of Digital Displays on Campus

Digital displays are more than just screens mounted on walls. When used strategically, they shape how information flows across campus and how people experience daily life at school.

They support campus culture by highlighting achievements, reinforcing school identity, and creating a stronger sense of connection. They also play a critical role in safety and accessibility by helping schools share clear, consistent messages when timing matters most.

Whether placed in classrooms, hallways, or outdoor common areas, digital displays help campuses stay responsive, informed, and connected. 

How to Use Digital Displays Around Campus

Digital displays can support many goals depending on where they are installed and how they are managed. Below are five effective ways campuses are using them today.

1. Promoting Safety and Emergency Preparedness 

Safety communication is one of the most critical uses of campus digital displays. During important situations, schools need a fast, reliable way to share clear instructions across multiple buildings and spaces.

With ViewSonic Manager, administrators can centrally manage and broadcast urgent messages to connected devices across campus. This provides a single point of control for pushing information quickly and consistently, without relying on manual updates or individual room systems.

ViewSonic Manager also supports integration with CAP (Common Alerting Protocol) messaging systems.

This allows alerts generated by an existing CAP platform to be delivered directly to managed displays, helping ensure emergency information stays aligned across screens, classrooms, and other notification channels.

By keeping messaging consistent, campuses can reduce confusion and provide clearer guidance during critical moments.

https://www.viewsonic.com/library/education/strengthening-campus-safety-with-device-broadcasting/

2. Enhancing Campus Communication and Announcements

High-traffic areas such as lobbies, hallways, cafeterias, and student centers are ideal locations for digital displays. In these spaces, displays act as centralized hubs for sharing real-time information, including academic calendars, key events, news, and general announcements.

By serving as a digital message board, these screens ensure the entire campus community stays informed.

Because content can be updated instantly from a single location with tools like ViewSonic Manager, information remains accurate without the need for reprinting physical signs. This flexibility makes it easy for administrative staff to manage last-minute schedule changes, urgent faculty alerts, or daily cafeteria menus.

ViewSonic digital signage solutions are ideal for this scenario, offering high brightness for visibility in well-lit common areas and supporting centralized content management to streamline updates across the entire campus.

For a deeper look at how schools use signage for communication, check out the link below:

 https://www.viewsonic.com/library/education/digital-signage-at-school-upping-your-campus-communication/

3. Supporting Content Visibility in Classrooms and Lecture Spaces

Digital displays are also used in classrooms and lecture halls to support clear content visibility and consistent information sharing. In these spaces, displays are commonly used to present lesson materials, schedules, or shared visual content that needs to be seen clearly from anywhere in the room.

ViewSonic’s digital displays power on quickly, run for long periods, and integrate smoothly with room control systems and AV infrastructure.

This approach helps ensure classrooms remain easy to manage while still supporting day-to-day teaching needs.

4. Wayfinding and Campus Navigation

Finding the right building or classroom can be a challenge on sprawling campuses, especially for first-time visitors or during high-traffic events.

Digital displays simplify campus navigation by providing interactive maps and clear, high-visibility directories. Because wayfinding content can be updated instantly, campuses can quickly adjust messaging to reflect event changes, temporary closures, or construction routes.

This allows visitors to navigate the campus independently and confidently without needing to stop for directions.

ViewSonic ePosters are well suited for entrances, corridors, and elevator areas thanks to their vertical orientation and space-saving design.

For larger gathering areas, ViewSonic CDE12 series of digital displays offer bigger screen sizes that make campus maps and directories easy to read from a distance. The CDE31 series of commercial displays is especially effective in busy environments where clarity and visibility matter most.

5. Showcasing Achievements and Building Community

Digital displays play an important role in building campus culture by highlighting student achievements, faculty recognition, athletic results, campus events, and creative work.

The ViewSonic CDE series of digital display solutions are a natural choice for showcasing community content in libraries, student centers, lounges, and other shared spaces.

Designed for 24/7 operation in high traffic environments, the CDE series of digital displays can display photos, videos, and rotating content both day and night.

The CDE31 series is especially effective in these environments, delivering strong visual impact and reliable performance in high-traffic areas where visibility matters most.

By regularly refreshing content, campuses can strengthen pride, engagement, and connection across the school community. 

Key Features to Look for in Campus Digital Displays

When evaluating digital displays for education environments, campuses typically focus on features that support long-term reliability, visibility, and centralized management.

Key considerations include:

• A variety of screen sizes for classrooms, hallways, and large common areas
• High brightness with anti-glare or haze treatment for visibility in bright indoor spaces
• Commercial grade durable designs built for daily or extended use
• Easy content management systems for quick updates
• Centralized control and secure remote access for IT teams
• ProAV-ready designs that integrate with existing AV infrastructure, including control systems, media players, and networked environments

This helps ensure displays can scale across campus without adding unnecessary complexity.

Recommended ViewSonic Solutions for Campus Use

ViewSonic offers a range of education-focused solutions designed to support communication, learning, navigation, and campus safety.

• Digital Signage Displays for announcements, wayfinding, and shared spaces
  https://www.viewsonic.com/edu/digital-signage-digital-displays
• ViewSonic ePosters for wayfinding and navigation in high-traffic areas
  https://www.viewsonic.com/edu/digital-signage-digital-displays
• ViewSonic Manager for secure 24/7 device management and safety messaging
  https://www.viewsonic.com/edu/viewsonic-manager

Getting Started: Implementing Digital Displays Effectively

A successful rollout starts with thoughtful planning and collaboration.

Assessing Your Needs

Identify your primary goals, whether they are communication, instruction, safety, or a mix of all three. This helps guide display selection and placement.

Stakeholder Involvement

Involve IT teams, administrators, educators, and facilities staff early. This ensures displays meet technical, instructional, and operational needs.

Choosing the Right Hardware and Software

Select displays and management tools that work well together and fit your campus infrastructure. Ease of use and security should be top priorities.

Installing Displays in Strategic Locations

Place displays where people naturally gather or need information. Visibility and accessibility should guide placement decisions.

Training Your Internal Staff

Provide training so staff can manage content confidently, troubleshoot issues, and keep displays relevant over time.

Why Choose ViewSonic for Campus Digital Display Solutions

With nearly 40 years of expertise in the display industry, ViewSonic works closely with colleges and schools to develop campus digital display solutions designed for long-term reliability.

ViewSonic’s commercial digital signage displays deliver clear communication in high-traffic campus environments. These displays support announcements, wayfinding, and safety messaging, and integrate smoothly with centralized content and device management systems.

In addition to commercial digital signage, ViewSonic offers a broader range of display technologies to support other campus needs. These include interactive displays, dvLED video walls, and projection solutions used in classrooms, auditoriums, and large gathering spaces.

With education-focused features, reliable performance, and ongoing support, ViewSonic helps campuses build digital display solutions that work today and scale as needs grow.

To learn more about ViewSonic digital display solutions for education, visit: https://www.viewsonic.com/edu/ 

Quick Links

Digital Signage Displays for announcements, wayfinding, and shared spaces https://www.viewsonic.com/edu/digital-signage-digital-displays

ViewSonic ePosters for wayfinding and navigation in high-traffic areas https://www.viewsonic.com/edu/digital-signage-digital-displays

ViewSonic Manager for secure 24/7 device management and safety messaging https://www.viewsonic.com/edu/viewsonic-manager