Page 6 - Flathead Beacon // 2.18.15

6 | FEBRUARY 18, 2015 NEWS
FVCC Introduces New Technology
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to Improve Online Learning
New technology comes as number of online stu- dents rapidly increases
By JUSTIN FRANZ of the Beacon
Distinguished colleges and universi- ties across the country, including Notre Dame, Columbia, Stanford and now Flat- head Valley Community College, are adopting a new technology called Light- board that is improving online learning. And while FVCC may seem like an outlier in that distinguished list, the Kalispell- based college is no less excited about offer- ing classes using the new video system.
The technology is part chalkboard and part projection screen that creates an on- line learning environment that simulates face-to-face teaching, according to As- sistant Chemistry Professor David Long, who helped bring the system to FVCC. Prior to coming to college three years ago, Long taught at the University of Colorado and Montana State University.
“In a classroom, I can make gestures to students and look them in the eye. Now we can do that online,” Long said. “Nonverbal communication is important because you can emphasize things with your body lan- guage.”
Michael Peshkin at Northwestern University developed the Lightboard sys- tem a few years ago. A Lightboard uses a glass panel as an invisible chalkboard, which allows instructors to teach in front of a digital video camera. After the lesson is shot, the instructor can overlay images
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“IN A CLASSROOM, I CAN MAKE GESTURES TO STUDENTS AND LOOK THEM IN THE EYE. NOW WE CAN DO THAT ONLINE. NONVERBAL COMMUNICATION IS IMPORTANT BECAUSE YOU CAN EMPHASIZE THINGS WITH YOUR BODY LANGUAGE.” David Long
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David Long, assistant professor of chemistry at FVCC, explains the technology of the new light board on campus. GREG LINDSTROM | FLATHEAD BEACON
and graphics that appear to float in the air. Long said the technology creates a more realistic online experience and is better than just watching an online Power
Point presentation.
“I have a very interactive style of
teaching and I was afraid that it would be lost if I was teaching online,” Long said.
Studies have shown students tend to do better in a classroom environment than in an online class, but Long hopes Lightboard can improve that discrepancy.
The entire Lightboard system, which is set up in a small classroom in the Occupa- tional Trades Building, cost about $7,000
and was funded by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Trade Adjustment Assistant Community College and Career Training Grant Program.
FVCC instructors first used Light- board at the beginning of last year and have now made nearly 40 different videos covering everything from chemistry to math. Long said that as more instructors use the technology the better it will be- come.
FVCC administrators said improv- ing their online offerings is an important goal as more students take classes via the Internet. In 2005, 166 students took at least one online course. Now, more than 600 students take an online course every semester. Some students don’t even live in the valley and have taken classes from California and Alaska.
For more information about Light- board, visit www.fvcc.edu/academics/on- line-education/lightboard.html.
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