Soundfield voice reinforcement is providing better learning environments to a growing
number of classrooms looking to adopt new technologies for more effective teaching.
The HowToAV team takes a look at how audio technology is assisting forward-thinking schools
to provide improved communication between teacher and students.
Today we're joined by HowToAV's audio expert Jon Doar to discuss one of the latest emerging
technologies being integrated into educational environments to provide better learning spaces...
Jon - I know that you have been involved heavily in the introduction of Soundfield into the UK
education market as part of the Government's 'Better Learning Environment' programme.
So, why are schools looking to audio technology to improve those teaching spaces?
Well, Chris, class sizes are increasing, they're becoming larger, and as a consequence the
environment is becoming more noisy. We're using more open plan classroom and teaching
spaces and this results in teachers not being able to be heard clearly or equally by all
pupils in the class. Teachers are having to speak day-in and day-out at unnaturally high
voice levels which can easily result in teacher illness, stress and strain and absence.
So, what is Soundfield specifically doing to improve the learning environment?..
Okay, so, Soundfield introduces a low level individual audio system into the classroom
environment and it unobtrusively raises the teacher's voice to make sure you get a constant
voice coverage throughout the entire class space. This ensures that every child or student
in the room hears the lesson no matter where they are at the same level, so there's no
hiding on the back row, for example, you know, the unruly kids sitting at the back.
And what's the audio technology behind a Soundfield Voice Reinforcement System?..
Basically it's a mini PA system. It's an individual system which can be installed or can be portable
and can carried around classrooms. It consists of an amplifier, loudspeakers, and dependent
on the classroom size and environment, a wireless microphone which is worn by the teacher.
And speaking of microphones, I believe that there are a number of different microphone
options available to the teacher, dependent on the teaching style or the lesson style?
Now, I know there's the standard handheld microphone, but of course that's going to
be quite difficult and cumbersome for the teacher who needs hands-free ability, so therefore
the handheld mic is probably only being used to pass around the class for the children,
so what about the teacher, what type of microphone options do they have as a worn option?..
Well, the teacher has a number of options, Chris. We can use a tie clip mic, a headset mic,
a neck-worn mic, or even something like this pendant mic that we have here. This is
worn around the teacher's neck and allows the teacher to communicate to the head-end
equipment effectively and safely and it's very comfortable to wear. And of course, it's
wireless, so when the teacher's finished with it, they can pop it back in the charger and
wait for the next class. And I notice on the pendant mic you've get
there, Jon, there's a Line Input which must indicate the ability to integrate other audio
technologies into the system too. Of course, Chris. Soundfield isn't just about
raising the level of the teacher's voice in the classroom environment, we also have the
ability to plug in external sources such as mp3 players, DVD players, laptops and interactive
whiteboards. Importantly we 're also able to provide independent assistive listening
systems for children with hearing disabilities and induction loop systems, of course,
again to aid communication.
So, how has the education market taken to
the adoption of Soundfield into the classroom? Well, now it's becoming more common and it's
written into the specification of new schools and new refurbished classrooms by LEAs throughout
the UK. It's being requested more and more by teachers and lecturers in mainstream and
inclusive teaching environments and where children with hearing difficulties are trying
to be integrated into mainstream education.
So the benefits of Soundfield Voice Reinforcement in the classroom are clear:
- More effective teaching in the learning environment
- All children clearly hearing and understanding the lessons
- Teachers not having to raise their voices, therefore significantly reducing voice strain, stress or illness, and
- Support for inclusive class teaching
Jon - many thanks for joining us. We have a whole lot more information available on
Soundfield and classroom technology. Just click on the screen now for full details or
leave a message or question in the Comments Section below for Jon and the rest of the
HowToAV audio specialist team. And don't forget to click the HowToAV channel
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