How dynamic AV/IT tools are reshaping student communication and engagement
I just finished listening to the latest Higher Ed AV podcast, and I found the conversation about campus engagement through technology both timely and practical. With insights from Kaleo Lee at Korbyt, Travis Burdick from Sony, and Stephen “Chewie” Stavar at West Virginia University, the discussion explored practical ideas for how AV and digital signage can create more connected, student-centered experiences across college campuses.
If you haven’t listened yet—start here.
Interactive Tech That Meets Students Where They Are
“Everybody has interactive screens in their pockets,” said Kaleo, and that really frames the student expectation today. From touch-enabled displays that deliver real-time feedback to 3D anatomical models that enhance clinical education, interactive signage is showing up in new ways across campuses. These aren’t one-off pilot projects, they’re scalable tools that can capture attention, prompt action, and drive participation.
Chewie highlighted the rise of touchscreen overlays for wayfinding and event promotion, while Travis pointed to high-resolution displays that enhance hybrid learning. It’s not just about touch—it’s about creating interactive experiences students want to be part of.
Centralized Tools, Decentralized Engagement
A recurring theme in the conversation was the need to break down silos. “This college has their way, that college has theirs,” said Travis, highlighting how fragmented systems create communication gaps—especially during critical moments like emergencies. Centralizing your digital signage platform doesn’t mean losing flexibility. It creates consistency and scalability.
The real value lies in bringing stakeholders together, sharing a common infrastructure, and enabling everyone to communicate more efficiently across the campus. Whether it’s pushing emergency alerts via screen takeovers, mobile notifications, or desktop messages, a unified AV/IT environment makes it possible to act fast and communicate clearly.
Accessibility as a Design Principle
ADA compliance isn’t optional—it’s foundational. Stephen emphasized the importance of thoughtful screen placement, captioning, and device compatibility to ensure signage is inclusive from day one. From hallway screens that respect ADA height requirements to content designed for bilingual and audio-free environments, accessibility must be part of the planning conversation, not an afterthought.
Kaleo shared how Korbyt’s platform integrates AI to help teams identify accessibility gaps before content even hits the screen. That’s the kind of forward-thinking support universities need as they strive to serve increasingly diverse student populations.
“What happens if the centralized group gets stuck in their ways? You need both standardization and space for innovation. That’s where leadership matters.” — Travis Burdick, Sony
Practical Advice for Higher Ed Tech Leaders
The panel offered several real-world strategies whether you’re rolling out a new signage network or improving an existing deployment:
- Start with the student: What improves their daily experience? What reduces friction?
- Design for flexibility: Support a variety of screens, content types, and interaction levels.
- Plan for emergencies: Use automated triggers and multi-channel strategies for speed and clarity.
- Break down silos: Align AV, IT, and facilities early to future-proof your infrastructure.
- Create once, deploy everywhere: Use tools that let you push consistent content across mobile, web, signage, and social.
- Keep it dynamic: Your campus audience sees the same signs daily—rotate content regularly to keep it relevant and fresh.
What Does This Mean for the Future of Campus Communication?
This podcast reinforced something we’re seeing across institutions: the tools may be technical, but their purpose is deeply human. Students want reliable access, information they can trust, and that is both personalized and timely. AV and digital signage are more than just screens. They’re a communication bridge that connects people to one another and their campus.
If you haven’t tuned into the episode yet, I highly recommend it. There’s a lot to take away—from emergency preparedness and mobile UX to accessibility design and campus-wide communication strategy.
🎧 Listen to the full episode: Beyond the Lecture Hall: Enhancing Student Engagement with Digital Signage & Interactive Tech
Want to continue the conversation or explore how Korbyt can help future-proof your campus? Let’s connect on LinkedIn.
About Korbyt Partnerships
At Korbyt, we believe great solutions start with great partnerships. That’s why our Partnerships team is sponsoring this four-part podcast series—bringing together AV/IT leaders, university innovators, and partners like Sony and Zoom to explore how AI is reshaping higher education. Together, we’re building smarter, more connected campuses.
