For a limited time only: FREE shipping on ALL new monitor and projector orders within the contiguous US.

Solution

School Builds Strong Foundation for Digital Learning with ViewSonic Education Solutions

CASE STUDY

School Builds Strong Foundation for Digital Learning with ViewSonic Education Solutions

SCHOOL

Foundations for the Future Charter Academy (FFCA) has had a long-standing reputation for academic leadership. Today, it operates eight campuses within the city of Calgary, including four elementary, two middle and two high schools. Technology innovation has played an integral role for FFCA in both student development and academic success.

“Our results are consistently above the provincial average,” says Jeff Cullen, Director of Technology for Foundations for the Future Charter Academy. He attributes part of that success to the school’s investments in the latest visual learning technology for its eight campuses, all of which are now equipped with the ViewSonic® ViewBoard® Interactive Displays and the myViewBoard® digital learning platform.

Splitsville LogoSplitsville Logo

“The upgrade to ViewSonic is our most recent, and we couldn’t be happier with the results. Teacher adoption and student engagement is high, and the future looks very bright.”


— Jeff Cullen, FFCA Director of Technology

CHALLENGE

line drawing of a circular mazeline drawing of a circular maze
  • Replace outdated SMART Board systems

  • Ambient light in various classrooms necessitated high-brightness solution

  • Existing maintenance costs and licensing fees were high

FFCA recently completed a major technology upgrade which included the replacement of outdated visual technology and equipment, including 15-year-old projector/SMART Board systems. Image brightness was difficult to achieve in various classroom settings, and maintenance costs and licensing fees were high. The systems also required a lot of manual calibration which was difficult and time consuming for the IT team to manage. “If the walls weren’t completely straight, they didn’t work,” said Cullen.

The search for replacement technology began immediately after a ceiling had collapsed at its North Calgary campus building and students had to be relocated to a remote building in the south end of the city. The decision to deploy ViewSonic® ViewBoard® interactive displays for the temporary building was an easy one for FFCA because of the cost savings from easier maintenance along with robust remote management features.

“We settled on ViewSonic and moved the ViewBoard displays into the new high school as quickly as we could because we had only a few days to get everything done. The set up was easy and given the success of that installation, we chose ViewSonic as the established standard for all of our campuses moving forward,” said Cullen.

SOLUTION

line drawing of a jigsaw puzzle pieceline drawing of a jigsaw puzzle piece
  • 170 ViewSonic® ViewBoard® IFP8650 interactive displays

  • myViewBoard software suite Manager Advanced software provided remote device management

Changing classroom learning technologies can create resistance on the part of teachers, Cullen notes. “For teachers, their classrooms are their offices. That’s where they work and live each day.”

But that wasn’t the case with the ViewSonic® myViewBoard® ecosystem, he adds. “When the first ViewBoard displays were installed, the teachers dove into the software, and many have begun to transition their SMART Board Notebook files over to the new myViewBoard platform.”

In the summer of 2022, FFCA’s team completed the replacement of all its SMART systems with 170 ViewBoard interactive displays. Moving from the older SMART Boards has delivered considerable advantages for the schools – from easy maintenance, to portability, to remote management and wireless casting.

“We don’t have to worry about alignment and bulb replacement anymore, and we don’t have to pay licensing fees. We also have much more flexibility because the myViewBoard software allows for wireless casting and screen sharing,” said Cullen.

A key feature for Cullen is remote device management capabilities. “With Manager Advanced, I can centrally manage our entire network. I can see everything across the network and push out updates remotely. This has solved a lot of issues for us.”

As teachers work with myViewBoard, Cullen reports that the uptake ranges from straightforward whiteboard functions to more advanced digital learning applications.

“For example, at the elementary school level there was lot of excitement over the integrated reader and translation software and how easy it is to use in teaching phonics and literacy. Elementary teachers are usually the hardest to impress. But when we showed them these new software features, there were ‘oohs’ and ‘aahs’.”

FFCA also plans to install another 40 ViewBoard displays in one of its newest campuses which is scheduled to open in North Calgary in the Spring of 2024. With this school, Cullen says they are taking technology innovation a step further. “We plan to take a very mobile approach for our computer and learning labs, and are working with the idea of using a virtual approach. For this campus, most of the ViewSonic ViewBoards will be all mounted on mobile carts.”

Over his 13 years at FFCA, Cullen says he has overseen three technology refreshes. “The upgrade to ViewSonic is our most recent, and we couldn’t be happier with the results. Teacher adoption and student engagement is high, and the future looks very bright.”

RESULTS

Line drawing of a rocketLine drawing of a rocket
  • No need for bulb replacement or licensing fees with ViewBoard interactive displays

  • Teachers didn’t lose any of their existing lessons thanks to easy and direct importing of legacy SMART Notebook files

  • myViewBoard software enabled easy maintenance, portability and wireless casting

Since its technological evolution, Splitsville has delivered on its promise to bring a state-of-the-art bowling entertainment experience to a new generation of customers.

"ViewSonic digital signage, projection systems, and large format displays are now front and center in every area of every Splitsville facility, serving up music, sports, event reminders and acknowledgements, celebratory notices, advertising, and business presentations," said Haggerty.

“The instant gratification of digital has been a big tool for getting people out,” said Haggerty. “Also, adding more visual richness to our ads has moved people to buy more food, more quickly.”

The first location to undergo an overhaul quadrupled its earnings within two-and-a-half years, said Haggerty. “It took about eight months for it to get its sea legs, but after that, everything came together.”

The sites have become a popular draw for activities outside of bowling, from party bookings to business meetings. “People can even do PowerPoint presentations over the lanes if they like. With one push of the button they can have all screens showing the same input,” said Haggerty.

Plans are in the works to add interactive touchscreen capabilities to displays at the individual bowling lanes to enable sign up, scorekeeping, points collection, and messaging.

Now armed with a proven concept with definitive results, Haggerty has his eyes on expansion into the U.S.

Third Grade Teacher Achieves Increased Engagement, Visibility and Collaboration with ViewSonic® ViewBoard® Interactive Displays

CASE STUDY

Third Grade Teacher Achieves Increased Engagement, Visibility and Collaboration with ViewSonic® ViewBoard® Interactive Displays

SCHOOL

Denver Green School Southeast serves around 570 students from kindergarten through eighth grade. A part of the Luminary Learning Network (LLN) and the Innovation School Zone established in 2008 by the Colorado General Assembly, Denver Green Schools (DGS) use relevant instruction and shared leadership to serve a diverse community and create an inclusive environment that engages all learners to flourish and live a sustainable life. Along with high academic achievement, goals for learners at DGS campuses include partnering with teachers to engage in relevant, student-directed learning; building leadership capacity by embracing a democratic decision-making model; using service learning as a way to become community stewards; creating mind-body connections as well as community connections; and using the school buildings and neighbourhoods as laboratories for the study and implementation of carbon footprint reduction and sustainable living.

Splitsville LogoSplitsville Logo

“There was so much excitement from the kids around going up to the ViewBoard and working on it. Engagement increased one hundred percent. Everyone actually wanted to come up and show their work. That didn’t used to happen nearly this much. Honestly, the kids just love it.”


Sam Sheppard, Third Grade Teacher

THE CHALLENGE

line drawing of a circular mazeline drawing of a circular maze
  • Replace old, barely functional projector with state-of-the art interactive display

Now looking forward to her fifth year at the school, third grade teacher, Sam Sheppard, began her career at the Denver Green School Southeast as a student teacher, and has never looked back. Grateful to be hired as a staff teacher at this innovative school, which empowers teachers with greater autonomy than typical public schools, Sheppard describes the learning environment as rewarding and joyful.

“I love it here. We have a farm where the kids harvest things that end up on their lunch table, and we raise chickens in the classroom,” said Sheppard. “Teachers have a voice here. We’re able to write our own plans and have ownership over how we teach.”

As a Title One school, DGS Southeast has limited funding for technology. Sheppard did her best with an old, glitchy projector.

“I’d say it only worked about half the time,” she said. “We got used to waiting for it to warm up. The kids invented ‘magic fi ngers’ that they would wiggle at the projector to help it get going.”

When it did work, Sheppard said it was often hard for the kids to see what she was projecting, due to shadows and fuzzy images. Thinking back to her own school years, she reminisced about the usefulness of Smart Boards.

“It made me sad that my kids didn’t have this advantage,” she said. “Asking myself why not, it came down to funding. Projectors were what the school could afford.”

THE SOLUTION

line drawing of a jigsaw puzzle pieceline drawing of a jigsaw puzzle piece
  • 65-inch ViewSonic® ViewBoard® IFP6550 4K interactive display

  • ViewSonic VB-STND-005 rolling cart

In her fourth year at the school, Sheppard decided to take action. She created a project page on DonorsChoose – like a GoFundMe just for teachers – asking donors to contribute to her request for a ViewSonic ViewBoard interactive display.

“I had done some research and discovered the ViewSonic ViewBoard displays,” said Sheppard. “They had great reviews and I wanted a great interactive display that was clear and easy for the kids to see. I also really liked that it could be put on a cart and could move around the classroom with us.”

As a crowdfunding platform, projects on DonorsChoose are most often supported by small individual contributions. Sheppard had high hopes for her project to get fully funded (around 70% of projects do), and was working hard to drum up supporters, but recognized that progress might take a while. Little did she know that ViewSonic had caught wind of her DonorsChoose fundraiser and decided to surprise her with a 65-inch ViewSonic ViewBoard IFP6550 4K Interactive Display.

On a typical Monday, Sheppard was going about her usual classroom routine when DGS Southeast Lead Partner, Jessica Krichbaum, showed up at her door. Two ViewSonic team members brought in a ViewSonic ViewBoard display on a rolling cart. Sheppard was astonished. Her excitement, as well as the fast and easy setup are captured in this Instagram reveal: vsfinch.es/DenverGreenSchoolIG

“I was so surprised,” said Sheppard. “It was amazing. Such an amazing surprise for which we are all so grateful.”

Her students had a similar reaction when the board rolled in, happily yelling things like, “Yay! No more projector!”

THE RESULTS

Line drawing of a rocketLine drawing of a rocket
  • Teacher reports huge increase in student engagement

  • Students love interacting with the display

  • Clear visibility of content for all students at all times

  • Output from integrated speakers is audible to students throughout the room

As anticipated based on her research, Sheppard’s students absolutely adored the new classroom technology. Although they only had three weeks of the school year left, Sheppard made sure to make the most of the beautiful new display. Active participation in math and learning games were two of her students’ favorite activities, she said, and collaboration and engagement went through the roof.

“There was so much excitement from the kids around going up to the ViewBoard and working on it,” she said. “Engagement increased one hundred percent. Everyone actually wanted to come up and show their work. That didn’t used to happen nearly this much. Honestly, the kids just love it.”

Another big benefi t provided by the new tech was the clear visibility for every student in the classroom, with no more “weird head shadows” blocking the view.

“Like many classrooms, we celebrate at the end of the year by watching movies,” said Sheppard. “It was so amazing to have clear views and builtin speakers. Finally, my kids could see and hear clearly, and I didn’t have to keep asking them to scootch down in their seats so their heads wouldn’t cast shadows on the screen.”

Krichbaum seconded all the above, commenting that, “It has been amazing to see the ViewBoard display up and running so quickly, and kids being so much more engaged as they manipulate things on the screen. Not to mention that everyone can actually see what is happening on it!”

Despite only having the new technology for a few weeks, Sheppard and her students were able to quickly learn how to use it.

“The ViewSonic ViewBoard display is so user-friendly for the kids, which aligns perfectly with my goal of putting more student voice into the classroom next year,” Sheppard commented. “I envision more student leadership; things like having them rotate through roles where they’re in charge of the board in one way or another.”

Sheppard looks forward to many more applications for her new ViewSonic ViewBoard interactive display in the upcoming school year, including the use of Google Slides to structure the day – a growing trend among Google Classroom teachers.

“I am so excited to use it for full year next year. Along with all our teachers I’ll be moving toward using Google Slides,” said Sheppard. “Everything throughout the day will be presented on slides, and will be visible on the big display. My students and I will be able to interact with each slide using whatever type of content I’ve embedded into it.”

Happily, Sheppard won’t be the only teacher at DGS Southeast using a ViewSonic ViewBoard interactive display.

“Amazingly, the ViewBoard on my DonorsChoose page was fully funded, so my teaching partner will have one next year too,” said Sheppard. “It will be great to collaborate together on ways to use them, and we hope to do some PD with ViewSonic to deepen our understanding of what’s possible when teaching with this amazing interactive display.”

Splitsville Delivers a 21st Century Entertainment Experience Using ViewSonic® Large Format Displays and Projectors

CASE STUDY

Splitsville Delivers a 21st Century Entertainment Experience Using ViewSonic® Large Format Displays and Projectors

PROFILE

Splitsville Entertainment is an expanding Canadian chain of bowling and entertainment centers that provide an innovative, immersive experience for patrons. The Splitsville concept was created in 2006 with a mission to transform bowling into an engaging entertainment-focused experience that would attract the interest of a younger, tech-savvy customer base. The strategy was to acquire, update, and manage bowling venues that had fallen out of favor with the public. Since its inception, Splitsville has opened four locations in Ontario and British Columbia, making it the largest chain of bowling and entertainment centers in Canada. A cornerstone of the revamped entertainment concept has been Splitsville’s significant investment in high-end display and HD projection technologies from ViewSonic.

Splitsville LogoSplitsville Logo

“ViewSonic digital signage, projection systems, and large format displays are now front and center in every area of every Splitsville facility, serving up music, sports, event reminders and acknowledgements, celebratory notices, advertising, and business presentations.”


— Pat Haggerty, President Splitsville Entertainment Group

THE CHALLENGE

line drawing of a circular mazeline drawing of a circular maze
  • Find a way to draw younger audiences and drive more revenue for bowling alley venues

  • Improve the overall entertainment experience through digital technology innovation

The bowling landscape in Canada has undergone significant changes over the years. During that time, it’s lost its appeal for many sectors of the population.

Many people have images of bowling alleys as throwbacks to a decades-old past, says Pat Haggerty, president, Splitsville Entertainment Center. “The typical impression was a place characterized by smelly shoes, unpleasant noise, and ugly shirts.”

Revenues have taken a hit. From the 1960s to the 1980s, bowling revenues came from four areas: corporate teams, birthday parties, open playing, and leagues. During that period, up to 85% of bowling lane revenue was generated from bowling leagues. With the societal shift to home entertainment, the number of registered bowling leagues has dropped dramatically.

“Once entertainment technology came on the scene, leagues shrunk to one-tenth of their original size and technology started to come into play,” Haggerty says.

Shifting demographics have also played their part. As millennials surpass baby boomers in numbers, interest in bowling as a source of entertainment has declined. For Splitsville, that was a wakeup call, Haggerty says. “Millennials carry the money and are much more tech-savvy. We knew that with that shift, bowling had to do something completely different to survive.”

To attract an entirely new generation, Haggerty says they needed to create an attention-grabbing digital and immersive experience. “The question we needed to answer was: How can we communicate to this large group of consumers and turn bowling into an entertainment experience?”

THE SOLUTION

line drawing of a jigsaw puzzle pieceline drawing of a jigsaw puzzle piece
  • ViewSonic CDE Full HD 1080p large format displays

  • ViewSonic Full HD 1080p projector systems

In 2006, Splitsville embarked on a mission to shatter stereotypes and attract a new generation of bowlers to the scene. This major renovation project included leveraging the latest and greatest display technology to create a multi-faceted entertainment experience. The goal was to create an audio-visual extravaganza throughout each facility, from the bowling lanes to the lounges and party rooms.

To accomplish this, Splitsville invested more than $1 million into each installation project. A key factor in the decision to purchase commercial grade displays was the desire to ensure top picture quality and a longer life.

The ultimate solution included ViewSonic product in the following areas:

  • Bowling lanes - Each bowling center features from 16 to 34 bowling lanes. These lanes are divided into zones of six, each of which was outfitted with 10 X 12 foot ViewSonic CDE series (commercial grade) drop-down displays that can be programmed to play different content and music. When not in use, the displays can be raised behind a masking unit via a remote control switch at the front desk.
  • Each site was also equipped with a suspended ViewSonic Full HD LED projector system for the walls behind the lane displays. These can be used to create a wallpaper effect showcasing Splitsville branding, or configured to present multiple image panes and messaging tailored for the audienceand/or time of day.
  • Party Rooms - LED projector systems were installed in each party room, all of which are connected to the main system and can access the satellite network via HDMI cable or cellular port.
  • Bars - The Splitsville bars were adorned with a video wall comprised of multiple 32” to 48” ViewSonic CDE series commercial-grade displays (11 to 14 units depending on the size of the location). Up to three satellite dishes provide customized visual and audio content to the various displays. Screens are connected to the satellite dish or the Bowling Music Network, which runs commercials every 15 minutes.

Additional display synchronization technology was deployed at the Hamilton location to enable increased selection of splitting options based on 16 to 20 inputs. These can be loaded at the head office, which, Haggerty explained enables them to dictate what they want to feed into those lanes at any time.

THE RESULTS

Line drawing of a rocketLine drawing of a rocket
  • New digital display and projector systems deliver eye-catching entertainment experience for a younger audience

  • Digital ads have resulted in increased food and beverage sales

  • Customer base has expanded to include party bookings, business meetings and more

  • Venue quadrupled earnings within 2.5 years of installation

  • Plans are in progress to add interactive displays at each bowling lane

Since its technological evolution, Splitsville has delivered on its promise to bring a state-of-the-art bowling entertainment experience to a new generation of customers.

"ViewSonic digital signage, projection systems, and large format displays are now front and center in every area of every Splitsville facility, serving up music, sports, event reminders and acknowledgements, celebratory notices, advertising, and business presentations," said Haggerty.

“The instant gratification of digital has been a big tool for getting people out,” said Haggerty. “Also, adding more visual richness to our ads has moved people to buy more food, more quickly.”

The first location to undergo an overhaul quadrupled its earnings within two-and-a-half years, said Haggerty. “It took about eight months for it to get its sea legs, but after that, everything came together.”

The sites have become a popular draw for activities outside of bowling, from party bookings to business meetings. “People can even do PowerPoint presentations over the lanes if they like. With one push of the button they can have all screens showing the same input,” said Haggerty.

Plans are in the works to add interactive touchscreen capabilities to displays at the individual bowling lanes to enable sign up, scorekeeping, points collection, and messaging.

Now armed with a proven concept with definitive results, Haggerty has his eyes on expansion into the U.S.

University Adds Esports Impact with ViewSonic ELITE Gaming Monitors and LAN Center Partnership

CASE STUDY

University Adds Esports Impact with ViewSonic ELITE™ Gaming Monitors and LAN Center Partnership

SCHOOL

Harrisburg University of Science and Technology (HU) is a private non-profit university accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. Located in Harrisburg, PA, the university serves a student body of nearly 7,000 students from over 100 countries, offering bachelor and graduate degree programs in science, technology, and math fields. Every undergraduate major requires an internship, giving students real-world experiences that are valued by employers.

Harrisburg University LogoHarrisburg University Logo

“In a rapidly evolving digital world, it’s essential for academic institutions to embrace emerging technologies and provide students with opportunities to learn and explore their passions through experiential learning. This stateof-the-art equipment will bring a wide range of possibilities for growth and learning to our students.”


— Charles Palmer, Program Lead and Associate Professor of Interactive Media

THE CHALLENGE

line drawing of a circular mazeline drawing of a circular maze
  • Outfit multipurpose esports LAN center with leading-edge technology

  • Equipment must be suitable for users ranging from casual to professional

With a STEM curriculum that prepares students for in-demand careers, it’s no surprise that HU has become an esports powerhouse. A growing billion-dollar industry, esports relies on employees with a range of creative and technical skills, and HU is distinguished as a trailblazer in developing programs that connect students to these careers. The university’s esports focus began by blazing trails in esports participation.

In 2017, the university launched its fi rst (and only) varsity sports team, the HU Storm, which went on to win the Collegiate Overwatch National Championship in its fi rst two seasons. The university invested in state-of-the-art arena space, full scholarships for team members, and hosting an annual competition, the HUE invitational, the largest esports invitational competition in North America. Continuing its pioneering ways, the HU Storm was the fi rst collegiate team to employ former professional esports players as coaches. For those interested in more casual competition, HU offers an esports club open to all students.

Shortly thereafter, the university introduced a Bachelor of Science degree designed to prepare students for careers in the burgeoning esports industry. One of only a handful of schools offering a degree in this area, HU Esports Management, Production and Performance courses develop the skills needed to become a media content creator, event manager, specialized coach, organizational/team manager, marketing manager, analyst, and more. According to HU materials, this program combines three of the university’s strengths – business administration, interactive media, and technology integration – to build an industry pipeline for the next generation of esports decision-makers in management, production entrepreneurship and innovation.

Finally, in 2019, HU President Dr. Eric Darr and Professor Charles Palmer provided strategic direction and support for the launch of the Harrisburg, PA-based Soniqs professional esports team. From this winning partnership came a shared vision for the development of a LAN Center that would be the official competitive home of the Soniqs, while also providing space to support students, the HU Storm, and the surrounding community.

“We wanted to build on our successes in a way that would support the need for a growing number of esports professionals,” said Palmer, whose roles at the university include Program Lead & Associate Professor of Interactive Media, and Executive Director of the Center for Advanced Entertainment & Learning Technologies. “Our vision was to expand the ways in which we could position our students to become those professionals, and we wanted to do it in a way that supported our community.”

gaming monitors lined up down both sides of the center of a long tablegaming monitors lined up down both sides of the center of a long table

THE SOLUTION

That initial conversation in January 2021 triggered the formation of a development team, which Palmer worked with to develop the concept into a workable plan. Participants included HU CEO and President Dr. Eric Darr and HU CFO Duane Maun; Soniqs CEO Darren Moore and Soniqs Director of Operations and HU Adjunct Professor Luke Goodling; and Dr. Jennifer Metz, Associate Professor and Program Lead of Esports Management.

“The facilities we envisioned would not only be the home of the Soniqs, it would be like the labs in our life science departments,” said Palmer. “A place where our students can get hands-on learning about the products, services, and management of esports.”

During this phase, the working group sought partners to help bring the plan to life. A known advocate in the esports ecosystem, ViewSonic was thrilled to join the team though its community outreach division.

“ViewSonic is committed to both community outreach as part of our Empowering Future Generations initiative and to growing within esports,” said Danny Ordway, Vertical Marketing Manager at ViewSonic. “Supporting Harrisburg University and the Soniqs was a natural partnership for us. We’re thrilled to back an organization that is so focused on investing in the success of its students.”

a woman sitting at a long table gaming on a VX gaming monitor with a controller and a headseta woman sitting at a long table gaming on a VX gaming monitor with a controller and a headset

The LAN Center team connected with Ordway who recommended ViewSonic products to meet their needs.

“We were excited to partner with HU, which shares our holistic vision for esports in education. By providing the latest ViewSonic ELITE™ gaming monitors, as well as the latest commercial displays and other display solutions, we’re helping the Soniqs’ coaches and staff develop strategies and prepare players,” said Ordway. “We’re also supporting HU in providing learning opportunities that create a pathway to careers within the esports industry.”

Ultimately, the team selected 20 ViewSonic ELITE™ XG270 27-inch 240Hz G-Sync gaming monitors to provide smooth, ultra-responsive gameplay. Nine 65-inch ViewSonic CDE6520-W premium 4K digital displays would be mounted throughout the space to showcase competitions, support the LAN Center brand, and deliver dynamic background videos, with one ViewSonic CDE8620-W 86-inch premium 4K digital display serving as a dramatic focal point.

THE RESULTS

Line drawing of a rocketLine drawing of a rocket
  • LAN Center is equipped to meet the needs of the university, community, and professional esports team with 20 state-of-the-art gaming stations

  • Large, 24/7 rated commercialgrade displays throughout the facility enable easy competition viewing, branding and dynamic multimedia background content

Along with additional sponsors, Intel and Zipchair, the team created a worldclass esports LAN center, with power-packed stations that feature Intel NUC PCs with 12th Gen Intel® Core™ i9-12900 CPUs, 16GB of RAM, and RTX 3060 Tis; ViewSonic ELITE™ 27-inch 1080p 240Hz IPS gaming monitors; and Zipchair Glide Gaming Chairs with numerous ergonomic settings. With gratitude to their partners, Palmer notes that leading tech is about so much more than feeds, speeds, and specs.

“In a rapidly evolving digital world, it’s essential for academic institutions to embrace emerging technologies and provide students with opportunities to learn and explore their passions through experiential learning,” said Palmer. “This state-of-the-art equipment will bring a wide range of possibilities for growth and learning to our students.”

The 2,000-square-foot LAN Center opened its doors on March 27, 2023, with a ribbon cutting ceremony attended by everyone in the local esports community. Moore delivered a brief speech and, with HU President Eric Darr beside him, cut the ribbon that symbolized the center’s o cial opening for private events. Press and other visitors got a taste of the action ahead, as HU esports club members tested out the top-of-the-line gaming stations.

The main gaming room features a central row of tables with 10 gaming stations on each side. It is both dim and dynamic, with enough ambient light to help reduce eye strain, plus LED accent lights in Soniq-blue and purple for added aesthetic impact. Standing room behind the players, along with adjacent seating facing a large 86-inch ViewSonic digital display, will allow spectators an up-close and in-person view of esports events. Additional 65-inch ViewSonic digital displays throughout the space allow for extended viewing along with the display of stakeholder brands and mood-enhancing multimedia content.

Centrally located in downtown Harrisburg, the LAN Center is a leisurely twominute walk from Harrisburg’s Whittaker Center for Science and the Arts, the offcial home stadium for HU’s esports arena, practice space and digital locker room, as well as the hub for esports scrimmages, competitions, tournaments, conferences and meet-and-greets.

“The location meets all of our initial objectives,” said Palmer. “We can engage the community, opening the Center for people to enjoy esports as entertainment, while we provide convenient and state-of-the art facilities for our esports management students to grow their professional skills.” An additional advantage of the location, added Palmer, is its proximity to two Harrisburg high schools.

“We envision our esports management students developing and running events for the high school students,” he said. “This will be a great experiential learning opportunity for them, while adding another link in the pipeline, engaging younger students and introducing them to the broader opportunities offered by esports.”

Community members of all ages will be able to participate in educational workshops taught by esports pros, use the Center’s gaming stations during public hours, and watch games as spectators, both in person and online. The space will also be available to rent for community and private events.

“We are deeply grateful to our sponsors for helping bring our vision to life. The LAN Center not only enhances the educational experience of HU students, it also creates opportunities for networking, mentorship, and career development in the competitive esports industry,” said Palmer. “Students will be able to conceive, design, plan, produce and refl ect on their own events, and they’ll do so while increasing the understanding of esports in our community. It’s a win for everyone involved.”

gamers at a liong table in a room lit with blue lightsgamers at a liong table in a room lit with blue lights
someone gaming on PC with a mouse and keyboardsomeone gaming on PC with a mouse and keyboard

Related Items

ViewSonic® ViewBoard® IFP7550

 

ViewSonic® Delivers Seamless, High-Impact Video Wall Solution for Exclusive Business Center in Costa Rica

CASE STUDY

ViewSonic® Delivers Seamless, High-Impact Video Wall Solution for Exclusive Business Center in Costa Rica.

PROFILE

Suministros Comerciales y Tecnológicos S.A. (Sucotec) is a company in Costa Rica with over nine years of experience on the domestic market. With a group of highly specialized professionals providing tailored IT services, Sucotec S.A. helps increase the competitiveness of its customers, with scalability to manage future growth. Sucotec S.A. primarily provides businesses in Costa Rica with a wide range of simple, highly flexible, in-demand video wall systems. One of Sucotec’s customers is GBT Technologies, a company that offers high technology software solutions to customers of a variety of industries, including the financial, banking and stock market sectors. GBT Technologies is located in the San José Business Center in Escazú, a high-growth business hub in San Jose where a great number of service industry companies are located.

Canvas LogoCanvas Logo

“Many factors motivated our decision to choose the ViewSonic displays – the quality of the equipment, the warranty, the cost, and the support provided during the decision-making process.”


— Salomón Ocón, GBT Technologies Director of Operations

THE CHALLENGE

line drawing of a circular mazeline drawing of a circular maze
  • Install a video wall solution that can effectively display both software development jobs, as well as stock market information, for a busy financial tech company.

For any digital signage solution provider, installing a video wall is always a challenge. For Sucotec S.A, not only did they require perfectly aligned displays, but they also needed to provide equipment that met the expectations of their customers, GBT Technologies.

According to Salomón Ocón, operations director of GBT Technologies, they wanted to invest in a video wall solution that would push effective communication and teamwork throughout the company.

“In our business, since most of our customers are in the financial market, we needed a visual tool capable of managing two main areas: software development and stock market indicator monitoring.

“Our developers needed a video wall for displaying programming jobs in an agile and simultaneous way. The rest of our staff wanted the video wall to display reference information about stock markets around the world. For these reasons, the video wall was installed in the lobby where everyone could see the different messages,” explained Ocón. “Obviously, the quality of the images should be flawless, and the edge of the displays should also be thin enough to make sure we have a better general view.”

To achieve this, Sucotec S.A. suggested to GBT Technologies the use of 12 ViewSonic CDE4803 commercial displays that, in addition to features like high brightness, wide viewing angles and narrow bezels, come with value added features, as highlighted by Ocón.

THE SOLUTION

line drawing of a jigsaw puzzle pieceline drawing of a jigsaw puzzle piece
  • A video wall comprised of 12 ViewSonic CDE4803 48” Full HD 1080p commercial displays

“Many factors motivated our decision to choose the ViewSonic displays – the quality of the equipment, the warranty, the cost, and the support provided during the decision-making process,” said Ocón.

Fernando Ramírez, Sucotec S.A. representative added, “We were always sure that the ViewSonic displays would be the most suitable for this video wall, given the requirements of big screen size, image quality, and symmetric alignment of the displays.”

The representatives of both companies highlighted a very successful purchasing and installation experience, not only due to the quality of the equipment, but also the support provided by ViewSonic and its wholesale distributor.

THE RESULTS

Line drawing of a rocketLine drawing of a rocket
  • Facilitating GBT Technologies staff permanent self-evaluation of their work processes which translates into better quality control and results for their customers.

“How has the installation of this video wall impacted our offices? I can say that it has improved the productivity of our daily activities. It provides better guidance to our staff for very specific software programming processes by sharing and displaying projects in a fast and efficient manner,” said Ocón.

In addition, there are no complaints related to the quality of the equipment provided. 

“Since we installed this solution in our company, we have not had the need to receive technical support at all, which makes us very happy because it is a good indicator of the performance of the ViewSonic displays,” said Ocón.

For Fernando Ramírez, representative of Sucotec S.A., installing this ViewSonic video wall has generated important results for his customer, not only due to the support for the daily workload of the company, but also by creating a visually attractive environment around the solution.

After evaluating these successful results, Sucotec S.A. is certain they will keep a longlasting relationship with ViewSonic to help other companies achieve their goals.

ViewSonic myViewBoard Software Brings Streamlined Collaborative Learning to Fourth Grade Classroom

CASE STUDY

ViewSonic myViewBoard Software Brings Streamlined Collaborative Learning to Fourth Grade Classroom

SCHOOL

Granite School District, located in Salt Lake City, Utah, serves around 67,000 students enrolled in programs ranging from kindergarten to twelfth grade. Granite is the third largest district in Utah, with nine high schools, 15 junior high schools, 62 elementary schools, as well as several specialty schools. Jim Bridger Elementary serves approximately 478 students in grades PK-6.

Granite School District LogoGranite School District Logo

“Most teachers are using it much more than they did the basic smart boards. They like being able to have more than one student at a time write, draw, or interact with the ViewBoard displays. And everyone likes the ability to get away from their desk, to be able to work directly at the ViewBoard or move around the room with their laptops.”


— Wendy Jones, Granite Technology Coach

THE CHALLENGE

line drawing of a circular mazeline drawing of a circular maze
  • Integrate new display technology in district classrooms

  • Assist instructors in leveraging the expanded capabilities of the new technology

  • Leverage display capabilities to facilitate small group collaboration

Like many districts, the classroom displays at Granite School District were an assortment of aging projectors and projection-based smart boards. Then came the pandemic, and with it the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) Funds from the Department of Education, which the district used in part to upgrade classroom displays for enhanced digital learning. The first challenge the team faced was selecting display models to deploy.

“The Granite way is to provide building principals with options, so we narrowed the field to ViewSonic ViewBoard interactive displays and a board from another manufacturer,” said Granite EdTech Team Lead Heidi Meenen. “The other option was a holdover from an initial elementary school deployment several years prior. Once we were introduced to ViewSonic ViewBoard interactive displays, it became the more appealing choice due to the robust whiteboarding software.”

Along with the deployment of the ViewSonic® ViewBoard® 86-inch IFP8650 interactive displays came the typical challenges of getting teachers acquainted with new tech. As is also often the case, one teacher was particularly enthusiastic about scaling the learning curve. At Jim Bridger Elementary School, enterprising fourth grade teacher Heidi Ritchie and her tech-savvy students challenged the ViewSonic® myViewBoard® software to deliver collaborative group learning.

THE SOLUTION

line drawing of a jigsaw puzzle pieceline drawing of a jigsaw puzzle piece
  • A video wall comprised of 12 ViewSonic CDE4803 48” Full HD 1080p commercial displays

The ViewSonic ViewBoard displays were deployed at Jim Bridger Elementary over winter break. By mid-January, Ritchie had reached out to Granite Technology Coach Wendy Jones.

“Everyone was in the very early stages of learning what they could do with the displays, but Heidi was already thinking about how to use the panel in more expansive ways,” said Jones. “She wanted to do more than just display content or write on the screen.”

ViewSonic myViewBoard software is included with every ViewBoard display. So Jones downloaded the app and she and Ritchie began exploring, guided by the mantra, “Let’s see what we can do!”

Their esports led them to the Classroom component of the myViewBoard ecosystem, which provides students with their own canvas that can be shared with classmates to form team “huddles.”

Available as a browser-based app for Windows, Android, and iOS, Classroom can be used on any teacher or student device with a web browser.

One of Ritchie’s aspirations was to use the app to facilitate small group projects. The myViewBoard Classroom software provided the (almost) perfect solution.

Imagine a typical elementary classroom. The teacher has just shown an informational video or slides about a topic. Now students arranged in small groups, each working on one part of a lesson, such as identifying components of the water cycle. Some work together to agree on what they want to say; some are less involved. Invariably, one student takes control and begins to fill in the paper diagram provided by the teacher. When the groups are finished, the teacher may simply collect the sheets or capture each one with a document camera and project them onto the classroom screen.

Now consider a classroom such as Ritchie’s, equipped with a ViewSonic ViewBoard interactive display and myViewBoard software. Using the Classroom component of the software, the teacher can start in lecture mode, which shares her canvas – such as the informational videos or slides – onto the ViewBoard screen, and/or to each student’s Chromebook. Next, she can switch seamlessly to huddle mode, which enables her to arrange students into groups that each receive segments of the work. The student Chromebooks replace the paper documents and students use tools like text, pen, and sticky notes to add content to the digital worksheet.

The teacher can track each groups’ work on her laptop and provide feedback digitally or verbally to each student and/or huddle group. When everyone is finished, students share their group canvasses to the big screen with a click. Everything is quick and seamless – and can accommodate hybrid learning for students that are unable to be in the classroom.

These huddle capabilities were exactly what Ritchie was looking for. Working with Jones to master setting up huddles, Ritchie developed lesson plans that leveraged this collaborative functionality.

Ritchie’s first huddles involved creating images and diagrams then assigning students to add labels.

“My students and I learned how to use it together, and it was an amazing journey,” said Ritchie. “To start, I created pictures of a plant, or an animal, then put them in groups to label the various parts. They were so enthusiastic about doing lessons this way.”

Then one day, the students were midway through a huddle-based lesson when class time ended and Ritchie realized that the only way to save the huddle was by using the snippet tool to grab a screen shot. This captured the students’ progress, but would not allow them to manipulate the content. When students returned the next day to complete the project, they had to start from scratch.

Jones and Meenen reached out to their ViewSonic rep Max Green, who worked with the company’s development team on a fix.

“We contacted Max on a Wednesday,” said Jones. “By Monday, the problem was fixed and huddle content was automatically saved to Google Classroom; the students didn’t have to do a thing. It was a game changer for us.”

THE RESULT

Line drawing of a rocketLine drawing of a rocket
  • Teachers are leveraging multiple capabilities to streamline workflow

  • Digital huddles are easy to create, manage, and save

  • Virtually all students report enjoying this method of working together

  • Digital substitute plans add data security and efficiency

On any given day, Heidi Ritchie’s fourth grade students can be seen gathering in groups to huddle over a science, social studies, or language arts assignment. Students view teacher-created canvases on their Chromebook web browser, individually or as a group. Ritchie can pre-select huddle teams or allow students to choose and create their own group of huddle-mates.

Ritchie can customize lessons to fi t learning objectives, providing students with a pre-built chart, graphic organizer, or diagram, or giving them a blank canvas with instructions on what she’s looking for. Either way, students view the canvas on their individual Chromebooks, sitting together with their huddle companions. To encourage collaboration each student has a role in completing the assignment.

“Every student in each huddle sees the full canvas, but they each are responsible for completing one particular part,” said Meenen. “Each of them can add content, attach a sticky note, create a drawing, or pull in an image, but Heidi sets it up so that they can only create and edit in their own content area. This helps encourage everyone to participate.”

To reinforce concepts covered in a literacy unit, for example, Ritchie created a graphic organizer for the key components of a story.

“Students logged onto myViewBoard and clicked the URL that Ritchie sent them, which linked them to their huddle groups,” said Meehen. “Each student was assigned an area, such as setting, plot, or character development, which they could complete using their choice of tools.”

Along with the collaborative, paper-free learning that her ViewBoard display and myViewBoard Classroom bring to her students, Ritchie also loves the ease with which she can create and deliver lessons.

“I can build a lesson on my laptop, save it to Google Drive, then pull it up on the ViewBoard display without needing to attach my computer,” she said. “It’s fast and convenient; everything is seamless with Google.”

The ViewSonic solution has also streamlined the process of prepping for days off - often a great source of stress for teachers.

“I created a PowerPoint with an entire day laid out to guide substitute teachers, which I save to a USB drive,” said Ritchie. “The subjust plugs the USB into the ViewBoard and opens it on the large screen. Having this template makes creating a sub plan so much easier. I just love it.”

Another important benefi t of this method, added Jones, is that it eliminates the need for subs to get content from teachers’ personal Google Drives. Plus, she said, the substitutes that have been the benefi ciaries of this system so far have been big fans.

“They don’t need to worry about compatibility or connecting their laptop,” said Jones. “They just open the file on the ViewBoard and all the lessons are right there, step by step, with instructions for the students. So far, the subs who have used it told us that it was one of the easiest days they’ve had as a substitute teacher.”

Similarly, said Meehen, instructors at district high schools, like those who teach upper-level math, use the Record feature to save lessons for use by substitutes.

“When a sub comes in, they don’t need to actually know calculus,” said Meehen. “They can plug in the USB drive and show the recorded lesson on the ViewBoard. It’s a huge win for everyone.”

Word of Ritchie’s successes using the ViewSonic solutions are spreading through the school, as instructors at various points along the learning curve find ways to integrate the new tech into their teaching.

“Most teachers are using it much more than they did the basic smart boards. They like being able to have more than one student at a time write, draw, or interact with the ViewBoard displays,” said Jones. “And everyone likes the ability to get away from their desk, to be able to work directly at the ViewBoard or move around the room with their laptops.”

Jones has been holding PD sessions on advanced features like pop quizzes and the huddles, and anticipates that teachers across the district will begin using them throughout the remainder of the school year, and beyond.

As for students, just about all of them appreciate the integrated learning games embedded in the myViewBoard software, said Jones. When it comes to huddles, said Ritchie, virtually all her students like working together in this way.

“My kids love using it, and they absolutely love the save feature,” said Ritchie. “They know they won’t lose their work, that they can pick up where they were the next day and keep working on their huddle project. We all very much appreciate the way ViewSonic jumped in and figured out a fix for this so quickly. They’ve been just great to work with.”

a teacher using a viewboard in front of class while students have the same image on their laptop screensa teacher using a viewboard in front of class while students have the same image on their laptop screens

Related Items

ViewSonic® ViewBoard® IFP8650
86-inch 4K interactive display

 

High School Campus Boosts Student Engagement with ViewSonic Digital Signage and myViewBoard Manager Advanced Software

SOLUTION BRIEF

High School Campus Boosts Student Engagement with ViewSonic Digital Signage and myViewBoard Manager Advanced Software

Many large public high schools consist of sprawling campuses that encompass several buildings. This suburban campus had completed several expansions over the past decade, making it the largest in its area, with a student body of around 4,500. The most recent addition included a new wing connected by an indoor walkway along with a buildout of the original main entryway into a spacious commons area. While construction was underway, the building improvement team began looking into digital signage to enhance communication throughout the school community, with the help of the district’s IT director and AV partner company.

The team first determined the areas in which they would install digital displays. These included the updated entryway commons in the original building, the entry commons in the new wing, the walkway connecting these two buildings, the entry to the fi ne arts area, the entry to the sports complex, and the primary hallway intersections in each building (three each) – for a total of 11 displays.

Over the course of several meetings with the AV partner, the team chose ViewSonic® CDE7512 75-inch professional commercial-grade displays for nine of the locations. The other two spaces – the entry commons in the two main buildings – called for something larger and more dramatic. Ultimately, they decided on ViewSonic LDP163-091 163-inch Direct View LED displays. The IT director made these recommendations based on brand reputation, price, durability, and the myViewBoard Manager™ Advanced software that


The IT director made these recommendations based on brand reputation, price, durability, and the myViewBoard Manager™ Advanced software that would enable them to manage the displays remotely – regardless of there being different technology types and models. Not only would the IT team at the school be able to monitor, maintain and implement remote commands to control power, volume and more from a centralized location, they would also be able to easily take care of all content management remotely.


would enable them to manage the displays remotely – regardless of there being different technology types and models. Not only would the IT team at the school be able to monitor, maintain and implement remote commands to control power, volume and more from a centralized location, they would also be able to easily take care of all content management remotely.

A subscription-based upgrade from the included myViewBoard Manager software, the Advanced version enabled the broadcast of multimedia playlists, which would make it possible to play running loops that included both still and video content as well as web pages, PowerPoint slides, and more. These broad capabilities would enable the use of engaging and eye-catching content. Importantly, it would also enable the school to push out urgent alert messaging that could include live information on weather conditions or other developing hazards.

The software would make what could be a complex scheduling challenge easy, with included layout templates to streamline the creation of mixed media broadcasts. It allowed for easy, in-advance scheduling. The designated content manager would be able to send the same content to all displays; different content to each display; or organize displays into groups that would receive similar content. For example, the two entryway Direct View LED displays could be in one content group; the hallway displays in another; and the fi ne arts and sports displays could each represent their own group.

Additional factors that influenced the team’s decision included the ViewSonic commercial displays’ reputation for reliability. Designed for heavy-use environments, these professional-grade displays had added toughness features like full metal construction and scratch-resistant tempered glass screens. While most were rated for 24/7 durability across a 3-year warranty, the team chose a less-costly model designed for 16 hours daily, 7 days per week – more than enough to meet their needs.

Similarly, the IT director was impressed that the Direct View LED displays were designed for long-lasting toughness. Made from the latest COB LED technology, they were more impervious to dust, liquids and bumps than earlier technologies. Not insignifi cant to the choice was the included 5-year warranty.

As soon as the purchase decision was made, the team hired a graphic designer to create templates for the various types of anticipated content – all of which included the school colors and other specific brand elements. Each category of content would have its own distinct look. Planned communications included:

  • Welcome greetings – First day of school and after break messages to welcome notable visitors

  • Announcements – Upcoming performances, sports match-ups, and dances; information about clubs, activities and more

  • Entertainment/engagement – Trivia, inspirational quotes, book and movie recommendations, clips of students participating in school events, etc.

  • Recognitions – Highlights of student, teacher and staff achievements

  • Timely information – Bus delays, activity cancellations, drop/add dates, and other deadlines

  • Live streams – Graduations, spelling bees, science Olympiads, critical news events

  • Rules reinforcement – Reminders about key safety and courtesy rules and procedures

  • Urgent alerts – Information and instructions for weather and other alerts

The displays were installed over the district’s winter break. The point-person for content programming used the myViewBoard Manager Advanced software to schedule a welcome back message to display for the first hour of the day. After the first class period had begun, she programmed the six hallway displays and two entry commons displays to rotate through the key content categories for the remainder of the day. Spirit slides featuring the school’s colors, logo and motto provided a visual break between the content categories. The display in the fine arts wing and sports complex were each scheduled to run content specific to these areas, as well as select content from the other categories. The team reported that energy and buzz among students that day was high, with groups gathering around the displays during lunch and passing periods.

Several months past this welcome day, the planning team continues to be thrilled with the results of the installations. As expected, images on the displays are bright and vibrant. The myViewBoard Manager Advanced software has been even easier to use than anticipated. What’s more, the goal of increased engagement was clearly met. Participation at school activities has increased, and more students are adhering to important deadlines. By all appearances, student moral has improved, as evidenced by the frequent chatter and laughter around the displays. The administration is pleased that the urgent alert system will augment the baseline plan with attention-getting graphics and detailed information.

High School Principal Broadcasts Positivity with ViewSonic Manager Advanced and ViewBoard Interactive Displays

CASE STUDY

High School Principal Broadcasts Positivity with ViewSonic Manager Advanced and ViewBoard Interactive Displays

SCHOOL

Robert E. Lee High School is a public secondary school in Montgomery, Alabama, serving grades 9 - 12. Operating since September, 1955, the school is one of 10 high schools in the Montgomery Public Schools system. According to U.S. News & World Report data, among the student population of 1,386 the total minority enrollment is 95%, and 86% of students are economically disadvantaged.

Canvas LogoCanvas Logo

“Students can interact with text on the board, which allows them to annotate, highlight, and request audio readings, which is an outstanding way to improve vocabulary and comprehension.”


— Dr. Antjuan Marsh, Principle at Robert E. Lee High School

THE CHALLENGE

line drawing of a circular mazeline drawing of a circular maze
  • Leverage installed ViewBoard displays to broadcast multimedia messages

When Dr. Antjuan Marsh became principal at Robert E. Lee High School in Montgomery, Alabama, one of the first things he did was assess the school’s education technology. The classroom displays, he discovered, were aged, underutilized, and included a difficult-to-manage mix of models that included ViewSonic® ViewBoard® interactive displays. Teachers reported that they preferred the ViewSonic ViewBoard interactive displays because they were easier to use and enabled them to do much more digitally than the Promethean boards.

After assessing the ViewBoard interactive displays, Marsh and the school improvement team agreed to purchase current-model 75-inch ViewSonic ViewBoard interactive displays for every classroom. It was a wise investment. Teachers use the ViewBoard displays daily for instruction, Dr. Marsh said, and are well-versed in using the included myViewBoard® software tools to boost collaboration and engagement.

“For example, one English teacher breaks students into workstations, with one group working at the ViewBoard display,” said Dr. Marsh. “Students can interact with text on the board, which allows them to annotate, highlight, and request audio readings, which is an outstanding way to improve vocabulary and comprehension.”

With the instructional technology upgrade behind him, Dr. Marsh turned his attention to finding innovative ways to build a stronger school-wide community. The leader of a school where 80% of the students qualify for free or reduced lunches and live in an often violent and uncertain environment, Dr. Marsh recognized a unique opportunity presented by the ViewSonic ViewBoard displays installed in every classroom across the school. His plan was to leverage the displays to extend the power of the positive through dynamic and compelling school-wide multimedia messaging.

THE SOLUTION

line drawing of a jigsaw puzzle pieceline drawing of a jigsaw puzzle piece
  • Upgrade to ViewSonic Manager Advanced™ subscription

  • Deployment of ViewSonic® ViewBoard® IFP7550 interactive displays and the myViewBoard software platform in classrooms

The ViewSonic Manager™ software included with ViewSonic ViewBoard displays allows for remote centralized management of all networked displays, along with the ability to distribute text-based messages across some or all ViewBoard displays. Text alone, however, was not compelling enough to meet Dr. Marsh’s goals. To deliver video and other media messaging, he would need the Manager Advanced™ subscription-based software upgrade.

After a 90-day free trial, Dr. Marsh was ready to go all-in with the subscription at the start of the next school year. Guided by the school improvement theme Connectedness, Dr. Marsh began creating videos that highlighted the good stuff: students winning awards, following the rules, having fun, attending school events, and supporting one another. Most were fun, but decidedly not frivolous.

“The CDC defines ‘school connectedness’ as when students know that adults in their building care about them academically and also as a person,” said Dr. Marsh. “By broadcasting videos showing the positive things they’re doing we are showing them that we see them and recognize them as valuable.

”When students feel connected to their school, the CDC further notes, they’re less likely to experience poor mental health, sexual health risks, substance abuse, and violence. The ViewSonic ViewBoard classroom displays provided an important means of reaching these critical goals.

Dr. Marsh uses the Connectedness videos to shape school culture, positively impact social-emotional learning, provide public service announcements, and run safety drills. To capture student attention, he broadcasts these messages to every ViewBoard display in the school at random times – including in the middle of classes.

“I’ve broadcast many types of messages,” said Dr. Marsh. “Most of them are about the great things our students are doing, but the broadcasts are also helpful for utilitarian messages. For example, yesterday we ran a PSA on where and when students can and cannot use cell phones. Teachers appreciate these PSAs because when they see students in the hallways not following the rules, they can remind them of the videos.”

Other examples noted by Dr. Mash were a looping broadcast highlighting award-winning students, including one who won a national competition based on her work with tornado victims; clips from sporting and fine arts events; and a collage of students from the required career preparedness class looking sharp in their interview attire.

Creating the broadcasts is as easy as using his iPhone to record video, along with using apps on his laptop, Dr. Marsh says, which enable him to edit and add captions. The Manager Advanced software further enables him to broadcast YouTube videos or other web-based content, another feature that he leverages for positive impact. Occasionally he will send messages to certain classes, easily identifying and selecting the ViewBoard display endpoints using the Manager Advanced interface. Next on his agenda is learning how to use the Manager Advanced software to broadcast Google Slides presentations.

As hoped for, the videos have become a happily anticipated part of the school environment.

“The more videos I create, the more they want to see them,” said Dr. Marsh. “If I can’t make it to an event or leave something out that they think should be there, the students let me know.”

The opportunities to notice, capture and broadcast connection and caring are endless. On March 14th, otherwise known as “Pi Day,” the school held a pie-throwing event. A student unexpectedly tossed the edible kind at the principal, who accepted the gesture with extreme grace. The student exclaimed that she was now wanted for “pie-ing” the principal. Someone caught it all on video and it became a hit among the many memorable broadcasts bolstering the community at Lee High School.

Related Items

ViewSonic® ViewBoard® IFP7550

 

Conference Room Makeover Brings State-of-the-Art ViewSonic Direct View LED and ViewBoard Interactive Displays to School

CASE STUDY

Conference Room Makeover Brings State-of-the-Art ViewSonic Direct View LED and ViewBoard Interactive Displays to School

SCHOOL

Located in Ellisville, MS, the Ellisville State School is a state-operated regional program providing comprehensive services to persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Ellisville State School offers services to people in a residential setting and provides an array of programs and services in the community through the Community Services System. Ellisville State School serves approximately 240 people on the main campus and additional persons in the community. It is the goal of Ellisville State School to provide each person with the appropriate services so that each will develop to the maximum of his or her potential.

Canvas LogoCanvas Logo

“They were able to use the ViewBoard interactive display while looking at the audience, and everything they did was mirrored on the big Direct View LED display, which made it highly visible to everyone in the room no matter where they were seated. The two displays are a great pairing.”


— Dean Yelverton, Network Administrator

THE CHALLENGE

line drawing of a circular mazeline drawing of a circular maze
  • Update conference room with state-of-the art interactive display capabilities

  • Maximize space usage with versatile layout and equipment

During the COVID-19 pandemic, when Ellisville State School (ESS) closed its doors to protect residents and staff, Director Rinsey McSwain found herself conducting daily video calls in the conference room. She quickly became frustrated by the limited capabilities of the aging projector and conference phone. This frustration was the springboard for change, as McSwain envisioned the development of a fully-interactive environment powered by the most current technology.

“She wanted top-notch video conferencing equipment that could be used in multiple, flexible ways,” said IT Director Bobby Sterling. “The room was already equipped with a divider, and she wanted to be able to leverage it for simultaneous smaller meetings as well as ones that used the full space.”

Along with Network Administrator Dean Yelverton, Sterling reached out to reseller partner RJ Young for assistance. Together they looked at potential solutions from various manufacturers, and settled on the Direct View LED display as their technology of choice for the room’s main display. This would be supplemented with an interactive flat panel display on the other side of the room.

THE SOLUTION

line drawing of a jigsaw puzzle pieceline drawing of a jigsaw puzzle piece
  • ViewSonic® 135” All-in-one Direct View LED display LD135-151

  • ViewSonic 75-inch ViewBoard® IFP7552-1C-E1

  • ViewSonic Slot-In PC model VPC25-W53-O1-1B

Next, Sterling and Yelverton visited the reseller’s installer, who favored ViewSonic among the suppliers under consideration.

“He showed us photos of ViewSonic Direct View LED display installations he had done,” said Yelverton. “Seeing those, along with the great bang-for-the-buck offered by ViewSonic, took us quickly in that direction. We knew that our director would be pleased with the seamless display.”

It didn’t hurt that both Yelverton and Sterling had previous positive experience with ViewSonic products. “I’ve used ViewSonic displays going back a long time,” said Yelverton. “They’ve always been very good quality at a fair price. And for what you get with the huge Direct View LED display, it’s really rather affordable.”

The team took their proposal to McSwain, who was impressed by the display’s size and features. The final signoff came from business services, and with these approvals, the IT team obtained the required quotes. RJ Young presented the best pricing, and received the purchase order for a ViewSonic® 135” All-in- One LD135-151 Direct View LED display and a ViewSonic® 75-inch ViewBoard® IFP7552-1C-E1 display with VPC25-W53-01-1B slot-in PC, along with Logitech control panel, webcams, a controller and Sure speakers to round out the solution. The IT department further ordered a ViewSonic® LD-MK-001 vacuum maintenance tool, which would enable them to easily remove and replace LED panels without having to bring in third party support.

The final challenge would be installing the new equipment in time for the annual Department of Mental Health Board of Directors meeting that the school would be hosting just three weeks after placing the purchase order. Fortunately, one of the key features of the ViewSonic Direct View LED display system is streamlined installation that makes it faster and easier to deploy than a traditional LED wall.

THE RESULTS

Line drawing of a rocketLine drawing of a rocket
  • The conference space was transformed into a versatile, state-of-the art facility used by staff throughout the school

  • The full solution was delivered and installed in under 3 weeks, meeting a critical deadline

  • Video conferencing is easy and efficient, with both displays delivering a clear view of participants

  • Stakeholders across the organization appreciate the performance and polish provided by the ViewSonic Direct View LED display

  • The ViewSonic ViewBoard display provides an all-new level of interactivity to presenters and trainers

Thanks to the support and hustle from RJ Young and ViewSonic, the equipment arrived about two weeks after the order was placed. This left under a week to get everything installed and working.

“The Department of Mental Health is our school’s oversight organization, and this meeting is very important,” said Sterling. “Our director wanted everything perfect to showcase videos on the new Direct View LED display and to accommodate interactive presentations on the ViewSonic ViewBoard interactive display. We were under a tremendous time crunch.”

Thanks to the efforts of all involved – and the ease of installation because of ViewSonic Direct View LED technology – everything went smoothly, said Yelverton. They even had a couple days to conduct training. The meeting went off without a hitch.

What was once a standard-issue conference room with basic and outdated equipment has become a state-of-the art facility that provides flexibility and ease of use.

“We didn’t realize how much we were going to be able to take advantage of by going from what we had to the fully interactive setup we have now,” said Sterling.

For groups like the board of directors meeting, the full room supports a range of needs, from a larger-than-life video display and immersive video calls on the Direct View LED display, to interactive presentations using the arm-mounted ViewSonic ViewBoard interactive display, which can be height-adjusted and angled to meet user needs as well as a variety of seating arrangements.

“During the board meeting we had several attendees present who were accustomed to using whiteboards,” said Yelverton. “They were able to use the ViewBoard interactive display while looking at the audience, and everything they did was mirrored on the big Direct View LED display, which made it highly visible to everyone in the room no matter where they were seated. The two displays are a great pairing.”

When the full room isn’t needed, the school can book dual meetings in the divided space. The collaborative capabilities of the ViewBoard display have been particularly useful for conducting remote and hybrid training, commented Yelverton, and the room has become an in-demand hub for trainings as much as for meetings.

Sterling and Yelverton emphasized that both RJ Young and ViewSonic went above and beyond, throughout the process.

“I have to give a shout out to ViewSonic’s tech support,” said Yelverton. “We had issues with a couple of the LED panels, which they anticipated by including some spares with the kit. Then after that the tech support team sent us a couple more spares to keep on hand.” The Ellisville State School director who requested the conference room makeover has been more than pleased with the results, the IT duo said. “She still gets a big smile every time she sees the beautiful Direct View LED display,” said Sterling. “When visitors come from our central office it’s the first thing that she shows them.”

Related Items

ViewSonic® ViewBoard® IFP7550

 

School District Upgrades Teaching and Learning Capabilities with ViewBoard Interactive Displays and myViewBoard Software

SOLUTION BRIEF

School District Upgrades Teaching and Learning Capabilities with ViewBoard Interactive Displays and myViewBoard Software

Imagine driving the same car – or using the same edtech – for 20 years. That’s how long this district had relied on classroom projectors and pull-down screens. The time to replace them was long overdue. The push to purchase new front-of-classroom display technology came from a newly appointed superintendent, who intended to update classrooms for 21st century learning. Café seating and other flexible furnishings were planned to support active, project-based learning. The edtech director was asked to find a complete solution that would support this classroom modernization. 

The edtech professional mindset deeply considers teacher perspective. This viewpoint closely guided the districts’ team as they explored display options. Top of mind was the desire for a solution that would ease the transition for teachers unaccustomed to modern instructional technology. They likewise recognized that a solution that untethered teachers from their desks would allow them to take full advantage of the updated classroom and evolving pedagogical direction. A final consideration was delivering a simple, stable solution that would provide 100% uptime – or as close to it as possible. 

After some months of research, the team determined that interactive flat panel displays would meet all of these criteria. They narrowed the field to ViewSonic® ViewBoard® interactive displays with myViewBoard® software, which provided them with an ideal combination of features. The edtech director commented that the reliability, price point and intuitive use, along with the training and support offered by ViewSonic, were the deciding factors that made the ViewBoard solution the sweet spot among the competition. 


At the annual kickoff meeting the edtech team demonstrated the solution’s capabilities, including the handy toolbar with one-touch access to apps, pens, and other front-of-glass tools; the ability to share and receive content using the ViewBoard Cast™ software; and the smooth 20-point touchscreen.


After piloting the solution in 14 K-6 classrooms, the edtech and IT teams together recommended that the district outfit all learning spaces with ViewSonic ViewBoard interactive displays. As with any change, some teachers were initially resistant. At the same time, teachers in the pilot classrooms began talking about how much they enjoyed using the new displays, commenting on the improved clarity and brightness of the images, which enabled them to keep the lights on and shades open. The most tech-savvy teachers added embedded educational videos or activities to enhance lessons.

The district purchased 300 ViewSonic ViewBoard IFP7552 75-inch interactive displays with myViewBoard software, which would be installed in waves following the start of the next school year. At the annual kickoff meeting the edtech team demonstrated the solution’s capabilities, including the handy toolbar with one-touch access to apps, pens, and other front-of-glass tools; the ability to share and receive content using the ViewBoard Cast™ software; and the smooth 20-point touchscreen. The goal of building positive anticipation for the devices was clearly met, as evidenced by the audible gasps when the team demonstrated the ability to draw 3D shapes. Resistance among change- and tech-averse teachers was waning.

In line with the district’s reputation for commitment to professional development, leadership agreed to compensate teachers for time spent training with the ViewBoard displays prior to their installation. A ViewSonic trainer held 10 two-hour Zoom trainings, each covering the same ViewSonic Level 1 Module 1 lessons. Teachers were paid for their time spent after contracted hours and were allowed to attend the trainings as many times as they liked.

One week after the training, the most ambitious teachers were getting students out of their seats, working at the boards, and mirroring content to and from their Chromebooks. Other teachers were getting their feet wet with the intuitive teacher-centered tools on the one-touch toolbar. Student enthusiasm was palpable. Younger cohorts enjoyed anything from simple annotation, starting and stopping the timer, and erasing content – all perfect step stones for where the technology would take them. Virtually all students were more engaged with content displayed on the ViewBoard displays.

With around 70% of the ViewBoard interactive solutions deployed, the edtech director reported that the next steps would include training in using the myViewBoard lesson creation software, which will enable teachers to develop and share content from their Google Drives.

AV Integrator Partners with ViewSonic to Help Customers Manage Enterprise-Wide Installations

SOLUTION BRIEF

AV Integrator Partners with ViewSonic to Help Customers Manage Enterprise-Wide Installations

In the business for over 25 years, this AV professional had become expert at meeting the needs of companies big, small, and everything in between. Being good at what he did meant constantly educating himself on technologies, manufacturers, and business trends. His approach as an industry veteran who had run his own business for many years was to provide comprehensive, integrated solutions whenever possible. By standardizing on a specific brand, customers could expect simplified purchasing, deployment, management, and support – all of which added up to greater efficiencies and reduced costs.

When a company needed a single solution, say a welcome kiosk for their lobby or a large wireless display for a meeting room, he would show them the range of the top brands. Often, they ended up with ViewSonic products based on factors ranging from unique features to price and support. When companies came to him for advice on larger-scale projects – which could be a mix and match of meeting rooms, training facilities, executive offices, huddle spaces, multipurpose rooms, lobby signage, the cafeteria and/or desktop monitors – ViewSonic was his go-to partner. He had learned over the years that he could count on ViewSonic to provide a wide range of products to choose from in each category, along with outstanding device management software created with busy IT administrators in mind.

ViewSonic offered a comprehensive solution, for example, when the IT director at a specialty packaged goods manufacturer needed to replace a fleet of end-of-life workstation displays while also outfitting the company’s various-sized meeting rooms with up-to-date display technology, and adding digital signage for wayfinding and brand enhancement in the lobby and cafeteria. The hardware was just part of the picture; the IT director needed to find solutions that would be easy to manage, as he would not be allocated additional staff to manage these new assets.


As anticipated from the respected brand, the specifications were outstanding: ultra-HD resolution, high brightness, slim designs, and quality construction all around – from the desktop monitors and huddle space interactive displays to the giant commercial-grade displays he was considering for the lobby and cafeteria.


The AV pro informed the harried IT director that ViewSonic not only offered a range of great product options to meet these needs, they also provided robust device management software. A skeptic, who was not at all happy that he would need to take on these additional displays with no added staff, the IT director wanted to first understand the software.

The AV consultant walked him through ViewSonic® myViewBoard ManagerTM Advanced cloud-based solution, with which he would be able to control all critical aspects of the various displays from an intuitive interface on his laptop. For example, from this one centralized location he could power the displays on/off, install or remove apps, execute updates and even plan and advance-schedule tasks for specific times as one-off or recurring events. He could implement the same commands for all displays or segment the displays into separate groups – sending updates to those displays, pushing different multimedia content to the lobby and cafeteria displays, or sending training videos to the handful of huddle spaces where new employees were being brought on board. The software offered a multitude of ways to manage for efficiency, and was adaptable enough to meet any foreseeable circumstances, including facilitating live and multimedia emergency alerts.

The IT director also appreciated the user management features, which would allow his department to maintain system security within the program by managing user access to various features and devices. He and his team would be able to easily maintain and control the different panels based on the needs of various employees while keeping the system running smoothly. Finally, the system backup and restore feature would provide great peace of mind.

Next, they reviewed the functional components of the ViewSonic® ViewBoard® interactive displays. First, the consultant noted that the displays were compatible with Microsoft to provide the best Microsoft Office 365 and Team collaboration experience. The myViewBoard suite of embedded tools was comprehensive and ranged from the basic, like annotation and highlighting tools, to the advanced, such as the ability to record and save sessions, including notes and audio. Designed to easily connect distributed teams, the ViewBoard displays supported seamless collaboration with popular solutions like Intel UNITE, Microsoft Teams, Zoom, Cisco Webex, and more. The flexible web interface would allow multiple users to easily share to the ViewBoard screen with team members. The embedded vCast software was designed to make it easy for users to share content. Finally, a Windows slot-in PC was available to deliver advanced functionality.

The consultant said, ViewSonic could deliver a complete turnkey solution for the company’s collaboration spaces. Additional ViewSonic products available to round out the collaboration ecosystem included optional mobile carts, webcams, speakerphones and more.

Convinced by the functional backbone of the integrated ViewSonic solution, the IT director was ready to look at the hardware. As anticipated from the respected brand, the specifications were outstanding: ultra-HD resolution, high brightness, slim designs, and quality construction all around – from the desktop monitors and huddle space interactive displays to the giant commercial-grade displays he was considering for the lobby and cafeteria.

Expecting desktop displays to be the least exciting of the tech they reviewed, the IT manager was pleased to learn that ViewSonic monitors offered enterprise customers unique, cost-saving options. Of particular interest to him were the dual-pack monitor heads, which reduced waste and would save his department time and expense when meeting the needs of dual-monitor users. Shipped in minimized, bio-degradable, paper-based packaging, this bundle also supported the company’s sustainability efforts. Single-monitor stands were smartly designed to offer ergonomic comfort and easy connectivity.

When the project was complete, the IT director thanked his AV consultant for the trouble-free installation of the ViewBoard interactive displays and commercial signage. He further thanked him, profusely, for steering him towards the ViewSonic solutions. Deployment of the displays had gone particularly well, thanks to the myViewBoard Manager software’s support for batch enrollment to expedite mass device setup.

When next he heard from the IT director, the AV pro was pleased to hear that everything was humming along smoothly. The IT director was making great use of the capabilities offered by myViewBoard Manger Advanced to streamline processes and enhance security and was grateful supporting these new display assets without additional staff was nowhere near the burden he had anticipated. Another satisfied customer.

ViewSonic Meeting Room Solution Adds Efficiency and Collaboration at New Company Headquarters

SOLUTION BRIEF

ViewSonic Meeting Room Solution Adds Efficiency and Collaboration at New Company Headquarters

Founded in 2014, and having reached its current level of nearly 2,000 employees just prior to the start of the pandemic, this logistics management technology company had outgrown its first home. During the work-from-home days, the founders began looking for new headquarters. Historically a culture that relied on creative and strategic team meetings, they had the foresight to plan the collaboration spaces in their new headquarters based on space planning best practices for their type of business.

The suggested ratio was one meeting space for every 10-20 employees. To avoid underutilized space, the recommendation was to avoid mid-sized rooms that were too small or two big for meetings of no more than four people, which account for up to 75% of meetings. The recommended sweet spot was rooms of around 150-200 square feet with seating up to six. Most of their 150 rooms would be this type of space. Finally, they planned to include two large boardrooms that could comfortably seat up to 20. These spaces would be used for more formal meetings like client presentations, executive meetings, training sessions, and employee onboarding.

To accommodate the varied types of meetings that would be held in these rooms, the founders tasked the IT team with sourcing display technology that would enable interactive collaboration, easy content sharing, and efficient hybrid meetings. In addition to seeking reliable display hardware, the IT team was looking for a solution that would facilitate efficient management of the many displays.


Employees found the display features easy to use, and appreciated the many ways they could enhance collaboration and information sharing – such as the ability to annotate on top of any content, record and share sessions, and easily connect users both in the room and joining remotely. As construction of the new building neared completion, the company purchased ViewSonic ViewBoard displays and scheduling panels for their 150 meeting rooms and two boardrooms.


Furthermore, they planned to recommend that the company invest in an improved meeting scheduling system to enable easy and efficient use of the new spaces. As they had grown to over-capacity in their original company headquarters, surprisingly, meeting rooms often sat empty due to scheduling miscommunications and overall frustration, despite high demand.

The IT team met with their reseller representative, who showed them products from several brands. Among them, the ViewSonic® ViewBoard® interactive displays provided an ideal set of features for the price-point, compared to the competitive alternatives. They additionally were pleased with the ability to achieve an integrated single-source solution, using ViewSonic 10.1-inch scheduling panels.

Mounted outside each meeting room, the sleek scheduling panel would provide a touchscreen interface for the room scheduling software, visually signaling whether the room is available with a green or red halo light. Up close, users could interact with the touchscreen to discover details about the meeting in progress, or schedule the room. Other useful features included an echo- cancelling mic and speakers that enable two-way communication between those in the meeting and outside the door – a handy way for a receptionist
to announce a guest’s arrival, or for management to quickly resolve facility inquiries and reduce meeting space downtime. The door lock control would help prevent interruptions and uninvited guests, enabling facilities managers to regulate entry to meeting spaces Employees could easily reserve, release, check in, and check out of meeting spaces with their NFC or HID enabled company-issued badge, QR code, or HID mobile access app.

From an IT perspective, the powerful little displays offered state-of-the-art Power over Ethernet (PoE), which would enable easier one-wire installation, for a notable cost-savings across over 150 rooms. Small but mighty, it was an enterprise-grade secured solution that came with SCEP (Self Certificate Enrollment Protocol), Android Enterprise API, ISO27001, IEEE 802.1x and network encryption protection to ensure compatibility with enterprise-grade security requirements.

They chose the 55-inch ViewSonic ViewBoard IFP5550 interactive display for the company’s huddle rooms. The 86-inch ViewSonic ViewBoard IFP8662 offered an eye-catching, executive-sized platform with state-of-the-art hardware and design for the two boardrooms. Both had vibrant screens with smooth 20-point touch and provided an ideal canvas for collaboration and content sharing for remote and in-person users. Both had integrated microphone arrays with echo cancellation and noise reduction technology for clear speech and sound during video conferences. The included myViewBoard® digital whiteboarding software provided additional powerful user tools along with enterprise-level security and cloud-based portability, while the integrated vCast software would enable meeting attendees to easily share content.

The displays themselves were stunning and packed with features. But the IT also needed to ensure efficient management for the many installations. The subscription upgrade to myViewBoard ManagerTM Advanced delivered exactly what they needed. With it, they gained efficient centralized remote management of all important display functions. The desktop interface provided one-look troubleshooting and the ability to remotely manage apps, and the team could create device profiles for mass deployment and firmware upgrades, among other powerful management functions.

Importantly, the Manager Advanced software would also allow administrators to push multimedia messages to every display – or to select groups of displays. For example, if employee onboarding meetings were happening in the two boardrooms, they could send corporate videos to those select displays. The founders also plan to create quarterly update videos, which the IT team will push out to every display in the company, making for efficient all-company meetings.

A critical aspect of the broadcast feature was the ability to interface with a third-party emergency alert systems to deliver immediate CAP messaging, the XML-based Common Alerting Protocol that provides warmings about weather conditions and other urgent news. When sent as an urgent alert, the content would remain locked on the screens until removed by an admin.

Before making the purchase for their new headquarters, the company tested two ViewBoard displays and the Manger Advanced software, allowing employees to stop by and try them out. Feedback was overwhelmingly positive from both the users and the IT administrators who would be responsible for maintaining the displays. Employees found the display features easy to use, and appreciated the many ways they could enhance collaboration and information sharing – such as the ability to annotate on top of any content, record and share sessions, and easily connect users both in the room and joining remotely. As construction of the new building neared completion, the company purchased ViewSonic ViewBoard displays and scheduling panels for their 150 meeting rooms and two boardrooms.

Regional Mall Upgrades Store Directory to ViewSonic ePosters, with Profitable Results

SOLUTION BRIEF

Regional Mall Upgrades Store Directory to ViewSonic ePosters, with Profitable Results

The local property managers at this mid-size mall knew they were behind the times. Their static store listing and map was beyond outdated, and they were missing out on a host of business opportunities provided by digital signage. Grateful to be thriving in a time when many malls were floundering, it was time to implement a digital signage strategy.

The many objectives included:

  • Gain wayfinding parity with local competitors, while using the signage content to distinguish their brand
  • Deliver a digital directory that would enable shoppers to browse stores interactively and locate them on a three-dimensional map
  • Attract and maintain visitors with the modern interface and varied content
  • Provide advertising opportunities for tenants – a win-win in revenue generation for them both
  • The ability to broadcast important updates of interest to shoppers, like road closures, store openings, special events, and weather or urgent alerts
  • Customization of content based on display location and time of day
  • Data capture for use in fine-tuning content and developing a robust advertising platform

Customers entering the property routinely use the interactive directory. Randomized feedback from shoppers indicates that they notice and appreciate the informational backside of the kiosks. Food court items advertised on the adjacent digital kiosk have seen upticks in sales.


They were familiar with the types of available displays from looking at other similar properties and knew they wanted sleek, two-sided, free-standing kiosks. The interactive store directory would face the mall entryways; the other side would be used to display ads and content to inform and entertain shoppers. Any kiosk with this type of physical design could display content, however, to meet their objectives the solution would need to provide robust management capabilities as well. The hardware would need to be highly reliable, offering a long lifespan and vibrant display. A final criteria would be pricing that enabled a reasonable break-even ROI based on their projections for advertising revenue.

Working with a local AV integrator that specialized in commercial digital signage, the IT team looked at kiosks from several well-known brands. They decisively chose the ViewSonic® EP5542T 55-inch ePoster kiosk based on price, design, and hardware features, purchasing three for the mall’s main entrances and one for placement near the food court.

A beautiful piece of hardware, the IT team appreciated the premium specs provided by the sleek black kiosk. The interactive IPS panel offered 10 touch points, 178°/178° wide-angle viewing with 4K Ultra HD resolution, 450-nit brightness, and a 1,300:1 contrast ratio, which would ensure that images were vivid and clear. The anti-scratch, anti-glare glass faceplate would enhance the vibrant imagery, while also protecting the display. The powerful system provided an embedded quad-core media player and 16GB of internal memory that could handle a good deal of photo and video content playback, but if needed the kiosk also enabled the addition of another media player using a purposed-designed cradle inside the lockable security door.

Importantly, the ePoster included an integrated RJ45 connection that would allow the property managers to remotely set up and manage display content from a PC or laptop via the included vController software, which provided an intuitive interface for remote management, OSD-related settings, and scheduling on deployed displays through RS232C and IP LAN control. Through this easy to learn and use interface, administrators can control individual devices or create groups of devices, then schedule specific commands to specific devices or group of devices within a local network.

This would end up being an important feature that enabled the property managers to differentiate advertising based on the location’s proximity to a tenant. ViewSonic also offered several cloud-based content management systems, from which they chose a Revel Digital solution that provided detailed analytics, which further supported their tenant advertising program.

At about six months since deployment, the property managers are pleased with the results of the deployment so far. Customers entering the property routinely use the interactive directory. Randomized feedback from shoppers indicates that they notice and appreciate the informational backside of the kiosks. Specific comments have included noticing and responding to advertisements, appreciating an exhibition of a local photographer’s work, and finding the weather and traffic notices helpful. Food court items advertised on the adjacent digital kiosk have seen upticks in sales.

School District Hosts Trouble-Free PD Event with Connectivity Offered by ViewSonic ViewBoard Interactive Displays

SOLUTION BRIEF

School District Hosts Trouble-Free PD Event with Connectivity Offered by ViewSonic ViewBoard Interactive Displays

Preparing for any important event can be nerve-racking for anyone involved in the planning and preparation. Those responsible for the presentation equipment are dead-center in the spotlight.

A director of technology at a public high school (which preferred not to be named) is familiar with this feeling. Tensions were particularly high when
he and his team of four were tasked with managing a critical professional development (PD) event hosted by the regional board of cooperative education services (BOCES). The agenda called for more than 30 concurrent sessions, with 1,100 educators in attendance.

With presenters traveling from districts across the region, the pressure to provide a trouble-free day that smoothly delivered the promised trainings was intense. Careful preparation would only go so far – reliable presentation technology would be critical.

The school had recently installed ViewSonic® ViewBoard® IFP7550 interactive displays in 20 classrooms. The ViewBoard displays had been received only a month prior, and the team was not yet fluent in their use. Nonetheless they determined that the ViewBoard displays were the school’s best option for delivering the trainings.

The IT team’s planning, preparation, and onsite presence were a key factor in the successful completion of the event. Also essential to this success was the reliability and ease of use provided by the ViewSonic ViewBoard interactive displays.


The IT team had received many positive comments about the presentation technology from presenters, attendees, and BOCES members who were impressed by the ease, responsive touchscreen, and vibrance of the ViewSonic ViewBoard interactive displays.


The many wired connectivity options offered by the ViewBoard displays, along with the easy-to-use screen sharing offered by the myViewBoard® software ensured that every presenter was able to easily connect to the displays and begin presenting on time and without technical glitches. Critically, this was the case regardless the type of device a presenter arrived with, as well as for those that didn’t bring a laptop. These empty-handed presenters were able to use the built-in Android browser on the ViewBoard display to connect to the internet and access their content.

Several presenters familiar with the ViewBoard functions enhanced their messages by using the display’s integrated capabilities to annotate on top of content to highlight their messages. One used the integrated quiz capabilities to engage the audience. Others were able to use the intuitive interface to annotate even though this was the first time they had encountered a ViewBoard display. Finally, trainers were able to use the myViewBoard software to record their presentations and make them available to those unable to attend the sessions.

In particular, there were a number of features within the myViewBoard software that both the IT team and the trainers enjoyed:

  • Interactive Learning: myViewBoard Whiteboard offers interactive learning tools such as throw, quizzes, and polling features, which helped enhance the presentations and make the PD training more interactive and engaging.
  • Remote Management: myViewBoard Manager provides remote device management, allowing IT teams to monitor, manage, and troubleshoot devices from a central location. This enabled the IT team to address any technical issues that arose during the event quickly without being physically present at different locations.
  • Easy-to-use Screen Sharing: myViewBoard Display is designed to be user- friendly, making it easy for both presenters and participants to share content easily and quickly. The intuitive interface had helped the teachers become fluent in the use of the ViewBoard displays quickly, reducing the time and resources required for training and setup.
  • Review and Share: With the myViewBoard lesson recording feature, educators can record their lessons and make them available for review and reinforcement. People who couldn’t attend the training can revisit the lessons at their convenience, which made training more effective for the 1,100 attendees.

By the end of the day the IT team had received many positive comments about the presentation technology from presenters, attendees, and BOCES members who were impressed by the ease, responsive touchscreen, and vibrance of the ViewSonic ViewBoard interactive displays. The highly-anticipated event concluded without a single complaint.

Design-Build Firm Boosts Conference Room Benefits With ViewSonic ViewBoard Interactive Display

SOLUTION BRIEF

Design-Build Firm Boosts Conference Room Benefits With ViewSonic ViewBoard Interactive Display

For client-centered firms, the conference room is a critical space for wooing prospects, meeting with current clients and working within the team to develop deliverables. Up-to-date technology helps set the tone for success. The best tech enables efficient ideation, collaboration and connectivity.

For one design-built project delivery company, with offices in North America and Europe, taking steps to implement a conference room display upgrade, was a critical part of their client-first, holistic strategy. With services that include design, construction, procurement and maintenance, the conference room upgrade was designed to create a workspace that positively impacts employee motivation and brand equity. The upgrade began with an efficient, easy-to-use videoconferencing solution to connect its distributed teams and provide a more productive central meeting space for architects, designers and engineers to collaborate with clients and show off the intricate details of their CAD designs.

The firm’s outdated Smartboard fell short when it came to displaying crisp detail. The expense and IT time needed for maintenance and calibration assistance added up. Not to mention, it gave the image-focused agency a bit of a dated appearance. The design team wanted a higher quality solution, that enabled them to zoom into designs and still show sharp detail. They also wanted an easy-to-use solution that eliminated the need to replace lamps and calibrate.

In summary, the IT team was challenged to source a solution that eliminated calibration, maintenance and lamp replacement and delivered higher image quality – all in a large touchscreen device that fit their moderate budget.


The most powerful benefits of upgrading the conference room with a ViewSonic ViewBoard interactive flat panel display and integrated myViewBoard annotation software, are enhanced productivity and collaboration.


Following some comprehensive online research that included major brands such as ViewSonic, LG, Samsung, Microsoft Surface, and SMART touchscreen displays, the IT team selected the 86” ViewSonic® ViewBoard® IFP8650 with integrated myViewBoard® annotation software, ViewBoard Cast™ streaming software and 4K Ultra HD resolution. The competitive price point and customer care that accompanied the solution, were also important in making this selection.

For design-build and architectural firms looking for a solution that supports intricate AutoCAD and other intricate drawings, the ViewBoard’s 4K resolution enables teams to zoom in and show precise levels of detail. It also provides easy collaboration and video conferencing for staff and client meetings held in the conference room, through integrated cloud connectivity and whiteboarding tools. With an expansive 86 inches of screen space to work with, teams appreciate the ability to show a PowerPoint presentation and have a Teams or Zoom video conference window side-by-side. To maximize the experience, this team added a wide-angle camera.

The most powerful benefits of upgrading the conference room with a ViewSonic ViewBoard interactive flat panel display and integrated myViewBoard annotation software, are enhanced productivity and collaboration.

High School Principal Broadcasts Positivity with ViewSonic myViewBoard Manager Advanced Software and ViewBoard Interactive Displays

SOLUTION BRIEF

High School Principal Broadcasts Positivity with ViewSonic myViewBoard Manager Advanced Software and ViewBoard Interactive Displays

In a district known for high poverty and crime rates, the principal of one high school found a unique way to leverage the ViewSonic® myViewBoard ManagerTM Advanced software by using its video broadcast function to create positivity and connection within the school community. Before he could do so, however, he would need to deploy ViewBoard® interactive displays in each classroom.

Upon arriving at the school, the then-new principal took stock of the classroom display situation: a mix of older ViewSonic ViewBoard interactive displays and aging Promethean boards. Learning that the teachers preferred the ViewBoard interactive displays, he and the school improvement team agreed to purchase enough ViewBoard interactive displays to cover every classroom, as well as to upgrade older models.

It was a wise investment. Teachers use the ViewBoard displays daily for instruction and are well-versed in using the included myViewBoard® software tools to boost collaboration and engagement. For example, one English teacher breaks students into workstations, with one group working at the ViewBoard display. Students interact with text on the board, which allows them to annotate, highlight, and request audio readings – an outstanding way to improve vocabulary and comprehension.

The school’s IT lead uses the included myViewBoard Manager Advanced software to access and manage the school’s displays from one centralized location. Her team has improved efficiency, contained costs, and delivered outstanding device uptime using its many capabilities. For example, the device monitoring function allowed her to remotely power the displays on and off, avoiding potentially high electrical costs.


The school’s IT lead uses the included myViewBoard Manager Advanced software to access and manage the school’s displays from one centralized location. Her team has improved efficiency, contained costs, and delivered outstanding device uptime using its many capabilities.


Also included with the free Manager software is the ability to distribute text- based messages across some or all ViewBoard displays. This principal wanted to do more. The leader of a school where 80% of the students qualify for free or reduced lunches and live in an often violent and uncertain community, his goal was to leverage the ViewBoard displays to extend the power of the positive through dynamic and compelling school-wide messaging.

For this he needed the ViewSonic Manager Advanced subscription-based software solution. After a 90-day free trial, he was ready to go all-in with the subscription at the start of the next school year. Guided by the school improvement theme Connectedness, the principal began creating videos that highlighted the good stuff: students winning awards, following the rules, having fun, attending school events, and supporting one another. To capture student attention, he broadcasts them to every ViewBoard display in the school at random times – including in the middle of classes.

The principal uses these connectedness videos to shape school culture, positively impact social-emotional learning, and provide public service announcements about topics such as when and where phone use is allowed. As hoped for, the videos have become a happily anticipated part of the school environment.

Creating videos is as easy as using his iPhone to record along with apps on his laptop, the principal says, which enable him to edit and add captions. The myViewBoard Manager Advanced software further enables him to broadcast YouTube videos or other web-based content, another feature that he leverages for positive impact. Occasionally he will send messages to certain classes, easily identifying and selecting the ViewBoard display endpoints using the Manager Advanced interface. Next on his agenda is learning how to use the Manager Advanced software to broadcast Google Slides presentations.

Arts College Updates Aging Auditorium Projector with ViewSonic Direct View LED Display

SOLUTION BRIEF

Arts College Updates Aging Auditorium Projector with ViewSonic Direct View LED Display

When an aging auditorium projector starts to deliver dulled images, it’s never a good look. When the auditorium is at a college dedicated to the arts, it’s even worse. This was the case at this well-known arts college in a major US city. Thankfully, funding had become available to replace the outdated technology.

The small, multipurpose auditorium was primarily used by the media arts program for instruction. The screen was a focal point for lectures that centered around displaying digital still art and video. After-hours the auditorium was used to screen films and for students to workshop their pieces.

The college’s IT Director appointed a staff member to lead the project. They reached out to their local AV specialist, who recommended that they look at the latest Direct View LED technology. A tiled LCD wall, which might be suitable for a standard lecture hall, despite the bezel lines, was immediately off the table – clarity and cohesiveness of images was critical in this arts environment.

The IT point-person was immediately impressed by many features of Direct View LED compared to projection. However, his first consideration was image quality. The AV consultant assured him that the latest technology with ultra-fine pixel pitch – Direct View LED displays from his preferred supplier ViewSonic – would deliver what he was looking for: vibrant, color-consistent, detailed images.

He recommended the ViewSonic® LDP216-121 Direct View LED display. At 216-inches, he found this display to be an ideal fit for many professional, commercial, and entertainment settings, including large meeting rooms,


At 216-inches, he found this display to be an ideal fit for many professional, commercial, and entertainment settings, including large meeting rooms, auditoriums, and home cinemas. To get a bit technical, the massive display included 4K Ultra-HD resolution, a 120% Rec. 709 wide color gamut, and 500 nits of brightness.


auditoriums, and home cinemas. To get a bit technical, the massive display included 4K Ultra-HD resolution, a 120% Rec. 709 wide color gamut, and 500 nits of brightness. It also offered support for advanced video features like high dynamic range (HDR), which delivers darker blacks, brighter highlights, and overall richer, more vivid color, and Hybrid Log Gamma (HLG), which could come in handy for broadcast media.

Also available with the ViewSonic 216-inch Direct View LED display was the was the ability to display picture-in-picture (PIP) and picture-by-picture (PBP) views, for added versatility in content delivery. It was further equipped with dual, studio-grade 20W Harman Kardon speakers with professional passive radiators, woofers, and tweeters for high-fidelity theater-level audio. The adjustable 500 nits of brightness, along with a high contrast ratio of 20,000 to 1, would maximize the clarity of images in any lighting conditions.

Before continuing down this path, the college’s IT project lead visited an auditorium in which his consultant had installed a Direct View LED display six months prior. The picture quality was stunning. He was ready to learn more about this new technology.

The Direct View LED display, he learned, was made up of smaller LED panels that seamlessly created the larger display. The first phase of installation would be to attach cabinets to the wall. Once those were leveled and mounted, the panels fit quickly into place. The AV consultant showed him a video of a panel being swapped out using a hand-held vacuum tool. The task was completed incredibly quickly, and was clearly something anyone on the IT staff could handle. He was pleased to learn that ViewSonic included several extra panels with its Direct View LED displays, for customers to keep on hand, just in case. The consultant assured him that every individual panel was factory calibrated and would deliver a precise match with one another.

Additional notable factors included the reduced maintenance compared to projection. With a ViewSonic Direct View LED display, there would be no need for calibration, cleaning filters, or replacing bulbs, which required a lift to access a projector mounted on the auditorium ceiling. Instead, any maintenance could be performed from the front of the display, as he’d seen on the panel-replacement training video.

What’s more, installation would be faster and less costly than putting up a ceiling-mounted projector system. Over the term of the 5-year warranty, they could expect to experience savings due to the minimized maintenance and optimized power consumption of the Direct View LED displays.

He discussed his findings with his supervisor, who wanted more information on how content was delivered to the screen. It needed to be accessible enough for professors and after-hours presenters to manage without a call to the help desk.

After consulting with the AV partner, he was able to report back with confidence that in most cases staff should be able to handle content display without needing support from the IT team. The integrated operating system worked just like a familiar PC environment, and would enable users to easily install apps, browse the internet, and play multimedia files. Connectivity would also be easy, with the built-in Wi-Fi. Finally, the included ViewSonic ViewBoard Cast™ software would enable up to four users to connect and share content from their mobile devices over a wireless network.

He also learned that the IT team would be able to remotely manage the display using the included myViewBoard Manager™ software. Using this cloud-based solution, they could perform just about any needed management task, from making sure the display was turned off at the end of the day for power savings, to installing apps.

With all of the information at hand, the decision was clear, and the IT team purchased a ViewSonic 216-inch LDP216-121 4K Ultra-HD Direct View LED display. Installation was fast and trouble-free, and, to date, all feedback has been beyond positive. Students and instructors love the bright, brilliant images. Plus, they’ve barely needed to reference the “How to Use” sheet the IT team mounted on the back of the podium, thanks to the overall intuitive ease of the system.

Luxury Retailer Showcases Product in Style with Portrait-Mounted ViewSonic Direct View LED Displays

SOLUTION BRIEF

Luxury Retailer Showcases Product in Style with Portrait-Mounted ViewSonic Direct View LED Displays

Shopping for apparel in a brick-and-mortar store can be a welcome change from scrolling through online shops. When it comes to high-end apparel, the store environment can be a crucial part of the upscale experience. This successful entrepreneur was looking for a way to set her spaces apart from the competition. ViewSonic® Direct View LED displays provided a perfect canvas for showcasing her stores’ unique brand of style.

An independent upscale boutique with humble beginnings, this retailer was opening new shops in three major urban areas. The setting was ultra-modern: open floor plans with soaring ceilings, skylights, stark white walls, and chrome fixtures created a contemporary ambiance and focused attention on the apparel. Her space designer suggested adding digital signage to enhance the modern décor. Before moving forward with this recommendation, the savvy store owner did some heavy reconnaissance, visiting stores ranging from suburban malls to urban boutiques, with apparel ranging from off-the-rack mass consumer labels to powerhouse luxury brands. She noted two typical uses of digital signage: TV-like displays mounted both vertically and horizontally throughout the store or over the register and large video walls with obvious frame lines breaking up the images. Neither was the right look to reinforce her brand. She needed vertical displays to showcase the designers, but the smallish screens she saw in this orientation would be overwhelmed by the scale of her space. The large displays made of multiple smaller monitors were a better fit size-wise but dark lines running through images of her product was a compromise she would not be happy to make. The retailer contacted a local AV reseller for advice. He recommended that she look at LED displays, which offer large, completely seamless images.


The aesthetics of the massive displays ideally coordinate with and enhance her upscale brand. And, as she had been assured would be the case, the ultra-high defi nition 4K images were brilliant and detailed even with sunlight pouring through the floor-to-ceiling windows.


Together they reviewed several brands, with the retailer ultimately selecting the ViewSonic LDP163-091 163-inch 4K Direct View LED display. Many factors infl uenced this decision. Most of the LED brands they reviewed were sleek and modern looking. The ViewSonic Direct View LED won out based on price, overall lifetime cost considerations, and the ability to be mounted vertically with tiny 5mm edges on all sides, among others.

For an apparel retailer, portrait positioning was critical to showcasing designers and fashion models. Not only did the ViewSonic Direct View LED enable this less-standard format, it also allowed for the ability to detach the system control box that typically would run along the bottom edge in a horizontal installation, providing the symmetry of a virtually frameless 5mm edge on all four sides.

Additionally, these aesthetic capabilities were offered in an all-in-one solution that would make this busy entrepreneur’s life that much easier. Everything needed for installation was included – all controls, cables, and power supply. Her integrator, along with included supervision from a ViewSonic engineer, would be able to complete the installation in around half a day. After that she would need only to turn on the display each morning, which she could do remotely for all three displays using the included and intuitive myViewBoard® Manager® software. With an upgrade to Manager Advanced, she could schedule unique video content for each display, or send the same content to all three.

The retailer was further impressed that on an ongoing basis, maintenance needs would be minimal and any repairs would be minimally intrusive. Unlike traditional TV-like digital signage, the ViewSonic Direct View LED display could be cared for from in front of the screen – without requiring costly, timeconsuming and disruptive removal from the wall. Additionally, she learned that replacing a malfunctioning panel was simple and easy. She was trained to do so herself, and is confident that should the occasion arise, she can personally take on this task.

Another aspect of the ViewSonic Direct View LED that the store owner commented on was the greater durability offered by this newest version of LED technology, which is waterproof, dustproof, and resistant to damage from jostles and bumps, promising a longer lifespan. The displays were a substantial investment for her; it provided peace of mind to know that if a customer elbowed a display, or spilled the complimentary champagne she offered onto the screen, it was unlikely to cause any damage.

Installation went without a hitch in all three stores and the owner has been pleased at how easy it is to manage all three displays remotely with the myViewBoard Manager Advanced software. The aesthetics of the massive displays ideally coordinate with and enhance her upscale brand. And, as she had been assured would be the case, the ultra-high definition 4K images were brilliant and detailed even with sunlight pouring through the fl oor-to-ceiling windows. Fine shadows and details in the drapes, folds and flourishes on the apparel were crisp and clear.

AV Integrator Exceeds Customer Requirements for Massive Atrium Space with ViewSonic 216-inch Direct View LED Display

SOLUTION BRIEF

AV Integrator Exceeds Customer Requirements for Massive Atrium Space with ViewSonic 216-inch Direct View LED Display

Meeting spaces are the bread and butter of commercial AV integrators. Enclosed conference rooms and boardrooms typically call for standard setups. Open huddle spaces and large multipurpose areas become more complex. This commercial AV integrator, faced with a unique space to fill, had an exceptionally trouble-free experience and a highly satisfied customer working with ViewSonic to install a 216-inch Direct View LED display.

One of its largest clients, a worldwide name in banking software solutions, sought to install a video wall in their new multipurpose space. A huge open area that included a stairway to the second floor – and an impressive plant wall – the company’s “Staritorim” would be used for company-wide meetings, welcoming guests, and running videos to showcase new products and other company accomplishments.

The video equipment would need to fill as much of the expansive wall as possible, within budget constraints, and be able to perform well with multiple types of content and lighting conditions. The company chose Direct View LED technology over a traditional tiled-screen LCD video wall for its ability to provide a seamless image.

After assessing the competitive field, the final contenders came down to ViewSonic and Planar. The company chose the ViewSonic® 216-inch Direct View LED display based on price, size, and integrated features. In addition to a lower cost, ViewSonic offered an all-in-one solution with integrated processing power, which allowed for an easier, less-complicated installation. This would reduce time and expense related to installation, as well as for ongoing maintenance and daily use.


The bundled ViewSonic EMBEDDED Signage Platform (VESP) eliminated the need for external devices to communicate with the server or to play digital media. The customer appreciated that it was a more compact, easier-to-use solution that would reduce costs.


No additional components were needed: the LED tiles, AV hardware and software, power supplies, and cables were included. The bundled ViewSonic EMBEDDED Signage Platform (VESP) eliminated the need for external devices to communicate with the server or to play digital media. The customer appreciated that it was a more compact, easier-to-use solution that would reduce costs.

The AV integrator in charge of the project appreciated working with ViewSonic at every step of the way, reporting that it was one of the best experiences he’d had with an equipment manufacturer. He noted that the ViewSonic team even found a mistake on the design drawings that would have impacted the fit of the display. Further, the ViewSonic all-in-one Direct View LED solution included the services of a certified technician to assist with installation.

After several months of use, the banking software customer has also been beyond pleased, reporting that the solution simply does what they need it to do, with ease and without fail, launching quickly and running continually every day. The huge display is a vibrant and exciting presence in their corporate atrium. Personnel from various departments have successfully used it for presentations, welcome messages, and brand building.

To facilitate connectivity with remote workers, the company added a video conferencing system. When it was used for the first all-hands meeting, the Direct View LED display amazed the fully-assembled workforce with its looks and performance, even in the brilliance of a bright sunny morning in a space without blinds.

Related Items

ViewSonic 216-inch Direct View LED display

School District Gains IT Efficiencies with Upgrade to ViewSonic ViewBoard Interactive Displays and myViewBoard Software

SOLUTION BRIEF

School District Gains IT Efficiencies with Upgrade to ViewSonic ViewBoard Interactive Displays and myViewBoard Software

When a new IT director joined this school district, she quickly recognized its classroom edtech needed an upgrade. Classrooms had a mix of aging projector-based whiteboards from different manufacturers which, in addition to being outdated, resulted in ongoing lamp replacement and maintenance costs. What’s more, the systems were cumbersome and required that a PC or other device be connected to the display.

After reviewing solutions from several well-known manufacturers, the IT director realized that a “TV solution” would be easier and less costly to maintain than a traditional projector-based whiteboard.

Not all roads lead directly to the ultimate solution, however. The teachers found the first solution she tried difficult to use; it also required an annual licensing fee. Dissatisfied, her team began demoing new options. Their reseller rep suggested that they look at ViewSonic® ViewBoard® interactive flat panel (IFP) displays, which would deliver an all-in-one solution. The IT director ran a cost analysis, which revealed that the ViewSonic ViewBoard interactive displays would offer outstanding savings over other well-known education brands – an important factor given the number of classrooms that she needed to upgrade.

Her rep then showed her the device management software included with the ViewBoard displays. The efficiencies it would deliver for the IT team were incredible. By providing centralized management, the cloud-based myViewBoard Manager™ software would enable them to remotely enroll the displays, as well as update and manage them as needed. They could monitor performance through the dashboard, and schedule power on/off times to


The interactive displays increased collaboration and sharing, and students seem more engaged in the lessons. Teachers particularly like using the vCast capabilities, which enables their students to cast and display work onto the ViewBoard display.


safeguard power usage. No need to be physically present at the display. The convenience for one display alone would be helpful – for a fleet of several hundred, it would be invaluable.

The IT team was convinced that this was the best solution for the districts’ needs. But first, they needed to ensure that the displays would be wellreceived by the teaching staff. Their ViewSonic rep helped out by visiting the district and demonstrating the myViewBoard Whiteboard functionality to teachers and administrators, taking them through several mock lessons.

First, he showed them the ever-present floating toolbar that would be their home base. Next, he used the shape drawing tools to simulate a geometry lesson, then showed them the graph paper template. He then used the browser to navigate to the NASA website, take the audience on a brief virtual field trip, then pull up the accompanying worksheet and began filling it in using the pen tool – commenting that in a real classroom he would send the worksheet to the students’ Chromebooks using the included vCast™ software.

He briefly displayed the music score template, to applause from the music instructors. Finally, to end the day with an English lesson, he navigated to his Google Drive, opened a PDF of pages from a popular children’s book, activated the record function, then used the whiteboarding tools to highlight and label parts of speech. He then saved the recorded lesson to the students’ Drives – providing a study reference and a lesson recap for students who were absent that day.

The teachers were fully onboard and the IT director began replacing the aging equipment as quickly as funds allowed. The district now has 150 classrooms equipped with 55- and 75-inch ViewSonic ViewBoard interactive displays, along with one 86” ViewSonic ViewBoard display in the district boardroom.

During the remote learning days of the pandemic, the IT team worked with the assistant director of instructional technology to train teachers on how to use the ViewSonic ViewBoard displays and myViewBoard software to facilitate hybrid learning. It was a perfect solution, the IT director said: the kids at home could see whatever the teacher put on the display along with their in-school classmates – and they had the ability to interact with it along with them.

Right from the start, the teachers loved using the new ViewSonic ViewBoard displays, and the love kept growing as the IT team facilitated more training. Back in the classrooms full-time, students were likewise big fans, said the IT director. Teachers told her that the interactive displays increased collaborationand sharing, and students seem more engaged in the lessons. Teachers particularly like using the vCast capabilities, which enables their students to cast and display work onto the ViewBoard display. This, she said, opened up classroom participation, even when students were tied to their desks due to covid. With their older systems, she said, they wouldn’t have been able to do this, and collaboration would have su  ered.

The 86” ViewBoard display has been equally useful for bringing the community and school board together for hybrid meetings, which have continued long past the pandemic, she said. In-person school board members have a clear view of parents and community members who log in via Zoom, and it enables more natural communication and better visibility than when each member was looking down at their individual laptop.

As soon as funding is available, the IT director plans to standardize on ViewSonic ViewBoard interactive displays to upgrade every classroom in the district. She has a wait list of requests from building principals. She further hopes to invest in ViewSonic interactive displays to build out the district Girls Who Code program, noting that they could do so much more with the power of interactivity. Finally, she envisions implementing ViewSonic displays at school entryways and throughout the buildings to deliver welcome messages and informational updates.

Related Items

ViewSonic ViewBoard IFP8650 86-inch 4K Interactive Display

ViewSonic ViewBoard IFP7550 75-inch 4K Interactive Display

ViewSonic ViewBoard IFP5550 55-inch 4K Interactive Display

myViewBoard Manager cloud-based software