March-Tech&Learning+Journal+Article+Summary

Tech & Learning Article Summary Music educators have long been aware of the necessity and use of voice amplification devices for classroom use. This has come as a result of strain on the voice which may lead to complete loss and teachers needing to change careers. “According to the Acoustical Society of America, in may U.S. classrooms the speech-intelligibility rating is 75 percent or less.” Now, educators across disciplines are seeing the benefits of voice amplification systems in the classroom to increase student comprehension. “Listen UP!” reviewed five quality, permanently installed classroom sound systems. Each of the five systems was reviewed by schools currently using the system. All schools sought out systems for the purpose of raising academic achievement and supporting educators’ vocal health. The five systems reviewed were from: Califone, Lightspeed Technologies, Frontrow, Calypso Systems, and Audio Enhancement. Benefits of these systems included easily worn microphones with superior pick-up, clear audio sound, ability use computer and video inputs, and audio enhancement. Additionally, teachers found that classroom management improved—students understood directions, students clearly recognized times to listen, and—with the use of an additional microphone for student use—blurting was reduced because students waited to use the microphone and students could hear one another. [[http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/newbay/tl_200911/index.php#/62|

Listen Up!]] from Tech & Learning, November 2009 p. 42-44