Enhancing Communication within the Classroom

We are very fortunate here at Robinson ISD to have educators who share the same sentiment as I do for the future of our students. One of the biggest steps we took in helping support our staff deliver their hands-on learning experiences, is ensuring their classroom communication is always clear and high quality no matter where they are in the room. Implementing classroom audio systems such as the Lightspeed Redcat in our classrooms have helped give our teachers and students a stronger voice in the classroom. Clear and concise instruction can help students achieve higher learning outcomes because they know exactly what is expected of them. We have virtually eliminated the need for teachers to raise their voice for redirecting unwanted behavior and our classroom transitions have become more fluid through music ques delivered via the Redcat. Students hear their teacher no matter where they are sitting in the classroom, helping eliminate the need to constantly repeat instructions.

Presentation skills are a key part to our students’ success in communication. We have implemented the Lightspeed Sharemike during classroom student presentations, read-alouds and student teaching opportunities. Students can really find their voice and come alive during speaking opportunities when they have a mic. We know that these skills are vital for their future, so let’s give them the space and opportunity now where they can try, fail, learn and grow as much as they need to.

Embracing creativity and utilizing problem solving skills

One of my missions is to inspire the next generation of creators and innovators that are extremely competitive. In Robinson ISD, starting at our lower levels, we provide opportunities for students to stretch their problem solving skills through coding and engineering projects. Opportunities range from utilizing Lego Education as they construct the next generation of habitats to protect against severe weather events, to coding autonomous robots to better understand geometric figures through and programming drones to fly a planned out route of a shape that they are studying.

I am not a fan of the word “limit” and its negative and stifling connotation in education. Our students and teachers need to try new things as that is where true learning and growth starts. As you know, we need to build authentic relationships to ensure student success, allowing students to let their guards down and show their true passions. One of the best uses of technology that we use to do this is through audio and video content creation. We all see it on social media from our students’ personal lives, but we take it a step further and bring this creative expression into the classroom.

Through the use of Adobe Express and its Animate from Audio features, students utilize just their voice to tell us more about their dreams, passions and ambitions through animation. I get it, not all students are the “hey look at me” type when it comes to being on camera, but most just want to be heard. This provides a “you can hear me now” type of self-expression opportunity without the vulnerability that comes with being on camera.

Providing Opportunities for Technology Career Exploration

Growing up, I knew that creating something from nothing was a gift of mine. Storytelling and creativity was deep inside of me and I found that I could utilize these gifts through audio, video and technology applications. The one opportunity that was lacking in my life was real-world application practice.

Within Robinson ISD, I have been very fortunate to give students the opportunities that I did not have. I am able to provide students creative outlets for their digital creations with various audio/video production tools and resources. Utilizing Adobe products, our students produce graphics for our district communication such as Instagram Stories, Reels and Post to inform our community.

Our students help produce our district High School and Pre-K graduations each year using industry standard equipment like the NewTek TC1 Tricaster for live video switching. We use a show control graphics control board by Daktronics to share senior video and other audio/video assets that will be displayed on the field’s video board throughout the ceremony. This same equipment is used in most major sports arenas and collegiate production facilities around the globe. Students are receiving hands-on training with studio quality cameras and audio field recorders. These learning opportunities have been years in the making and we are growing our programs each year to give our students the best possible chance to be competitive in their future careers or fields of study.

I truly feel technology has always been a driving force in the educational world, providing learning opportunities and experiences that mimic and support building skills beyond the classroom. I feel that using it as a transformational vehicle to help personalize learning for our students, is one of its most powerful ways we can harness its potential in the classroom. It is up to us as educators to really dive in and place our students behind the wheel and in the driver’s seat.

Willie Thomas III, Director of Media Integration at Robinson ISD, works with K-12 students, educators, parents and district leaders to enhance the learning opportunities through the integration of instructional technology. Willie has a Master of Science focused in Instructional Technology.

The post How I’m Utilizing Technology to Help Transform Education at Robinson ISD appeared first on My TechDecisions.

The Tech Problem

“As schools across the country searched for ways to deliver educational instruction to remote students, we had a strong sense that classroom technology had shifted from being a special feature to a basic requirement,” says David Kollar, MCC tech support specialist for Tech Services Media. “Our team in the Media Department recognized that temporary school closures presented an opportunity to transform classrooms with new systems that deliver superior quality audio and video for remote learning. Based on colleagues’ prior positive experiences with ClearOne audio and video products, we tested and eventually selected multiple ClearOne audio solutions to provide reliable, cost-effective audio capture and guarantee every remote learner can hear each word spoken in the classroom with outstanding clarity.

ClearOne Audio Solutions

The school began evaluating its existing classroom solutions in the spring of 2020, and before long acquired a demo system from ClearOne using the company’s COLLABORATE Versa Pro CT beamforming in-ceiling microphone and CONVERGE Huddle DSP mixer. After testing the solution and inviting staff to comment on its performance, the school purchased 28 Huddle mixers to improve the quality and simplicity of some existing room systems. By May 2023, approximately 200 rooms will offer educators the power and reliability of the Versa Pro CT solution, while eight larger rooms are upgraded with the enterprise-grade ClearOne Converge Pro 2 DSP.

“As a forward-thinking institution that happens to be one of the nation’s largest community colleges, we strive to provide maximum value to our students, no matter how they attend courses or where they are physically located,” adds Jeff Foster, MCC senior tech support specialist for Tech Services Media. He continues, “remote learning provides an excellent option for any students who can’t attend a class while also greatly increasing opportunity for parents or working professionals who rely on our courses and programs to advance their education and careers. Combined with the upcoming launch of our very first four-year degree programs, we are once again proving our commitment to innovation in education and providing options that allow more prospective students to pursue learning where, when and to what degree they choose. Innovative technologies such as ClearOne’s powerful audio products are crucial to our continued success and ability to attract students in a highly competitive market.”

When the installations are completed, approximately two-thirds of existing classrooms will house ClearOne audio capture solutions, with some existing tech infrastructure being retained and integrated through analog connections on the ClearOne DSP mixers. Like many colleges, the campus designates some classrooms for open booking, while others are assigned to specific professors. Standardizing these easy-to-use systems across the entire campus allows for much greater reliability and ensures educators can quickly utilize remote tools without requiring IT assistance or encountering obstructions.

To help the school get up to speed and optimize use of the new solutions, ClearOne provided in-depth training to the technical staff and helped ensure teaching staff could be quickly trained to use advanced features such as Auto Echo Cancellation (AEC). A combination of new and existing PTZ cameras provide video capture, while a select number of legacy microphones were integrated into the Converge Pro 2 systems in larger lecture halls.

“Students of all disciplines can now enjoy crystal clear lectures and lessons wherever they choose, eliminating barriers for non-traditional students and enabling greater access to life-changing education,” says ClearOne rep Jason Wiley.

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The models also have split windows for multitasking; array microphones, 16W speakers, and 16W Dolby Digital Plus surround sound for lesson clarity in class and online; InstaShare wireless screen sharing; and new Eyesafe technology for reducing blue light emissions. It’s also the first display from BenQ to include an air ionizer.

“The classroom holds the future, and it’s important that teachers, staff, and students have the tools and the protection to make learning effortless, whether it’s happening in person or online,” says Bob Wudeck, senior director of business development at BenQ America Corp. “The RP03 BenQ Board is the culmination of our unceasing decade-long pursuit to create a smart board that is natural, effortless, and exciting for teachers and students — and all-around healthier. We’re excited to add an air ionizer to our already robust suite of health and teaching features for a truly comprehensive touch panel.”

Tap and Teach

Teachers don’t have to waste valuable class time with complex logins with BenQ’s Tap and Teach technology. Using NFC card technology, teachers simply tap the card on the display’s onboard NFC card reader to immediately access personal cloud storage accounts. These include Google Classroom, Dropbox, and OneDrive. Teachers can also load personal settings on any BenQ Pro series display in the building. This feature  integrates with Windows Active Directory or Azure for secure personalization of the display. To start whiteboarding with BenQ’s EZWrite 6 whiteboard and annotation application, teachers tap on the touch screen with the germ-resistant pen.

Related: 8 All-in-One Videoconferencing Displays That Make Meetings Easier

More Than a Whiteboard

Teachers can use their RP03 smart board like a whiteboard, display, computer and wireless screen-sharing system with BenQ’s license-free EZWrite 6 software. The software is packed with classroom tools for all subjects. The tools comprise timers, ruler, protractor, compass and more.

EZWrite 6 also lets educators save whiteboard sessions on the cloud. This allows them to continue giving lessons at a later time or for students to access on any device and refer to later. They can also open documents and image files directly on the whiteboard to facilitate discussions.

To complement the experience, the split-screen windows function enables multiple applications to be opened side by side — no need to tap between content. Thus, it is even easier to conduct lessons and ensure further comprehension.

Germ-Resistant and Comfortable Viewing

The BenQ RP03 models include ClassroomCare germ-resistant screens, pens and remote. The touch-screen, buttons and front ports are made with a proprietary, TÜV-certified formula that is 99.9% effective against common germs, according to the company. It’s also the first BenQ Board with a built-in air ionizer. Additionally, it includes BenQ’s  Eyesafe technology to reduce blue light emissions and, when paired with the screen’s anti-glare and flicker-free technologies, create a more comfortable classroom viewing experience.

Ready for IT Administrators

As more schools add smart displays to their inventory of digital devices, BenQ says it has made it easier for IT staff to configure, monitor and manage them. The BenQ Board benefits from BenQ’s X-Sign Broadcast software. This turns any BenQ smart board in the school into signage. Thus, it allows schools to keep everyone informed and up to date on events, safety protocols and emergencies.

IT staff also have access to at-a-glance device analytics for any BenQ display using the included AMS software. They can monitor and analyze the status of all the BenQ devices on a single dashboard, including managing displays, apps and OTA updates remotely.

For greater ROI, the BenQ Board RP03 Series has IP5X certification. With this, it can ensure that the panel will deliver consistent operation, even in dust-prone environments.

This article originally appeared on MyTechDecisions’ sister-site CommercialIntegrator.com.

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