HoverCam, a technology leader in the education market, has announced a partnership with Learning Glass to bring eGlass, a fully integrated illuminated writing glass, to the market. Shown for the first time – virtually, due to Covid restrictions – at ISTE20 Live from November 29th, eGlass is an innovative, all-in-one, transparent writing surface with a built-in camera and adjustable lighting that is ideal for remote, hybrid, and traditional classrooms.
eGlass reimagines the traditional and virtual whiteboard experience. Leveraging HoverCam’s leadership and expertise in camera technology, the built-in camera captures the instructor and whatever they write on the surface of the glass at the same time. As the user writes on the glass, eGlass automatically flips the writing for students to read, and the embedded LEDs intensify the pen ink with an eye-catching glow. While writing, the instructor has direct line of sight with their students without toggling between whiteboard and video conference software.
Ideal for virtual teaching, lesson recording, training, and even in-class instruction, teachers can use eGlass in place of a regular whiteboard to boost eye contact and monitor comprehension in real time. The adjustable light within the bezel of the eGlass frame fully lights the user for the camera, eliminating the need for a separate lighting solution. It can be used in any room, accommodating both light and dark backgrounds.
Available in 35 and 50in models, eGlass connects to PC, Mac, or Chromebook with a single USB cable, and comes with intuitive software built around HoverCam’s robust and powerful Flex 11 camera software. eGlass features Zoom integration, allowing users to schedule, launch, or join Zoom calls directly from eGlass’ software. It’s also compatible with other remote conferencing programs including Microsoft Teams, Skype, and Google Meet. In addition, the solution features image insertion, allowing users to drag eye-catching visual aids directly onto the screen, with the ability to add annotations in real time.
“In this age of distance learning, teachers are faced with a dilemma when using virtual meeting software — they are forced to choose between emphasising student engagement, or the content they are trying to teach,” said Bayley Pierson, HoverCam’s director of marketing. “Sure, their webcam can provide the engagement while their presentation software provides the content, but one of these always takes the spotlight from the other, leaving students feeling disoriented and disconnected. Those students can’t focus on two places at once, and it’s getting harder for instructors to make eye contact with them, which has been shown to improve learning outcomes.
“eGlass prioritises both the instructor-student connection and content, all on one screen. Instructors can gauge reactions and comprehension while also presenting the content clearly onscreen for everyone – both in-class and remote students – to see. It’s the evolution of writing on the board, and the single most engaging innovation the education industry has seen.”
During the ISTE20 Live virtual conference, HoverCam will also showcase ClassFusion, claimed as the industry’s first comprehensive software platform designed for a fully digital classroom. ClassFusion fuses intuitive digital whiteboarding software with a state-of-the-art interactive collaboration system. Its toolbox of features brings intuitive control to the chaos of a classroom’s multidevice ecosystem.
