Columbia University

Columbia University's Graduate School of Business is renowned for its rigorous curriculum and dynamic classroom experiences. But as virtual and hybrid learning became increasingly common, faculty faced new challenges: how to preserve the same level of engagement, clarity, and connection through a screen. For educators, adapting to this environment meant rethinking how to maintain presence and interaction during remote lectures.

The Limits of Standard Webcam Setups in Education

While platforms like Zoom and Microsoft Teams make virtual instruction possible, they don’t solve for one of the most fundamental elements of teaching - eye contact. In traditional classrooms, professors can read student reactions, adjust tone, and foster deeper discussions. But standard webcams, mounted above or beside the screen, prevent natural eye alignment, making even the most engaging lecturers appear disconnected. This shift affects not only how students perceive the lesson, but how actively they participate and retain information.

The iContact Camera Pro has exceeded my expectations and garnered comments from my students about how it significantly improves the teaching experience.

Professor of Professional Practice, Columbia University Graduate School of Business

Why Eye Contact Matters in Virtual Classrooms 

Research has consistently shown that sustained eye contact improves cognitive focus and memory retention. In virtual education, it enhances clarity, trust, and student responsiveness - critical components in any academic setting. When students feel seen and engaged, they’re more likely to contribute, ask questions, and absorb key concepts.

For the Professor and his peers at Columbia, maintaining that vital sense of presence online was non-negotiable. The iContact Camera Pro offered a way to reintroduce this human element into every class session, without complicated setup or a steep learning curve.

Maintaining eye contact has been shown to improve student performance by up to 39%.

A Plug-and-Play Solution for Professors

The iContact Camera Pro provided an elegant and immediate fix. With its plug-and-play design and high-quality build, educators could begin using it within minutes - no software installation or workflow changes required. For the Professor, the improvement was instantly noticeable, both in his own teaching and in student feedback. In a field where communication is key and attention is scarce, small upgrades can have outsized impacts. For Columbia’s faculty, the iContact Camera Pro has already helped transform remote lectures into more personal, engaging, and memorable experiences - ensuring that learning remains powerful, no matter the setting.