Doctoral Colloquium—Student Attitudes Toward the Use of the Lightboard Technology in Immersive Educational Settings

Abstract

The Lightboard (LB) is a relatively new educational tool featuring a transparent, illuminated glass surface on which instructors write while maintaining direct visual contact with students. This setup could complement and create a more immersive learning environment, as it allows students to simultaneously observe both the teacher’s explanations and the material being presented, fostering a more interactive and engaging experience. In previous studies conducted primarily in the USA, the LB has been shown to enhance cognitive development and sustain student engagement by promoting a more dynamic learning process. This study is the first in the Greek educational context to compare student attitudes toward LB and traditional whiteboards in face-to-face classrooms. The study involved 30 elementary school students from a non-profit organization, and focused on their experiences during math instruction. A mixed-methods approach was employed, utilizing: (a) a Likert scale adapted for the age group to measure students' views, (b) standardized open-ended interviews to explore their perspectives, and (c) teacher observations to capture non-verbal cues and behavioral responses. The results revealed that students using the LB displayed a greater interest and attitude toward learning compared to those using a traditional whiteboard. This suggests that the LB could be integrated into immersive setups and could positively influence student participation in the classroom.