5 Reasons for Classroom Sound Reinforcement You Might Not Know

There are many reasons to have a classroom sound reinforcement system. We want to give our children the best environment possible to learn, and much of this begins with hearing instructions given by a teacher. But did you know there are five critical reasons your children must hear well to learn? In today’s blog, we will explore these reasons. 

Related Post: Choosing the Right Classroom Sound Reinforcement System 

1. Students Hear Better

Research shows that a teacher’s voice should be 15 decibels above the rest of the classroom. Yet a busy room with many kids and distractions means it’s hard to hear the teacher. 

Students hear better with classroom sound reinforcement systems. Better hearing leads to better listening and improved learning outcomes.

2. Children Pay Attention

Children are used to hearing their parents at home as authoritative yet gentle voices. Students pay better attention in class when they hear their teacher’s voice better and more clearly through a classroom sound reinforcement system.

3. Increase On-Task Behaviors

Students increase on-task behaviors because students are able listen to people speaking clearly and effectively in the classroom. Again, students listen to authoritative voices and pay attention to adults. As teachers give instructions to finish classroom tasks, a classroom sound reinforcement system represents a vital part of that teaching paradigm.

4. Fewer Teacher Absences

Classroom sound reinforcement systems lead to fewer teacher absences. Why? Less vocal fatigue, which leads to less sickness. When there is less fatigue, a teacher’s immune system stays more robust because it isn’t trying to repair vocal cords while fighting off a cold or seasonal allergies.

5. Better Social Skills for Kids

Children become social from a very early age. They learn to respond to others from how they understand what is being said to them and how it’s being said. Every child in a class with a sound reinforcement system has a chance to develop better social skills with their teacher and peers because they simply hear better.

Related post: Tips and Tricks to Optimizing Your Classroom Sound Reinforcement

Classroom Sound Reinforcement by American Sound

Want more information about the systems we can install in your school? Contact American Sound or call (859) 261-9024 to learn more about the classroom sound reinforcement systems we install.

What Microphone Types Are Available for Hybrid Classrooms?

When choosing a microphone for hybrid classrooms, teachers have to consider a variety of factors, such as cost, convenience, comfort, and most importantly, audio quality. To help you sift through the options, here are some details about the different types of microphones available for teachers in today’s blog from American Sound.

Related Post: Three Main Considerations for Choosing a Classroom Sound Reinforcement System

1. Wearable microphones

Wearable, hands-free presenter mics are ideal for live or pre-recorded lectures. They feature clip-on mics so instructors can have their hands free while teaching and also move around the classroom easily. 

Generally speaking, there are two types of wearable mics:

  • Battery-operated wearable mics. These types of microphones require teachers to carry a battery pack while they navigate around the classroom. They also have to recharge the batteries every so often. 
  • Cordless battery-free wearable mics. If instructors prefer a wire-free and battery-free option, many wearable mics can deliver on those promises. These types of wearable mics usually include a USB base station and charger that has a built-in receiver. They typically provide a range of 65 feet or more, ensuring clear communication as the instructor moves around the classroom.

2. Speakerphone microphones

Speakerphone mics are another great option for instructors who are teaching primarily online. A portable speakerphone is ideal for interactive hybrid classrooms and can help ensure a collaborative experience. Some speakerphones also utilize a special sound technology that eliminates background noise outside a specific range. This is a great solution to ensure that students can hear the instructor’s voice over any other distracting classroom sounds like papers rustling or side conversations.

3. Wireless portable microphones for students

Wireless portable microphones improve remote learning by encouraging student discussion and interaction in hybrid classrooms. Instead of struggling through the clunky logistics of muting and unmuting speakers via your video conferencing platform, classroom participants can pass around a wireless portable microphone to easily discuss topics and contribute to the conversation. Many of these portable microphones easily integrate with Zoom, Microsoft Teams, and other video teaching platforms for a smooth and superior hybrid teaching experience.

4. Plug-and-play microphones

There are many different brands and types of plug-and-play microphones available, but essentially, they just plug directly into your laptop via USB and instantly provide clear and accurate audio recordings (with no additional driver installation). Many of these microphones also come with an adjustable desktop stand so instructors can position the microphone as needed. Compatibility varies depending on the brand, but many plug-and-play mics are compatible with Mac OS, Windows, tablets, and other mobile devices, which make them very practical for travel and use in the classroom or at home.

Related Post: How an Investment in Classroom Sound Reinforcement Pays Off in the Long Run

Need Equipment Installation for Hybrid Classrooms?

Contact American Sound for help. We offer professional installation of audio equipment for hybrid classrooms to ensure that instructors and students have the best learning environment available during these challenging times. Call (859) 261-9024 today for more details.

Advice for Using Microphones for Hybrid Teaching as Part of Classroom Technology

Tips and Tricks for Optimizing Your Classroom Sound Reinforcement System

If your room has a classroom sound reinforcement system, you already know the basics of how it works. The team at American Sound teaches you how to use the system. However, it may need some fine-tuning after a while. 

Speakers and microphones are excellent additions to your room as part of a sound reinforcement system, but there are other considerations to think about as well. Today’s blog from American Sound offers tips on how to optimize your investment and give you and your students the best possible learning and hearing environment. 

Related Post: Choosing the Right Classroom Sound Reinforcement System 

Having a Great System

The speakers are installed and your wireless microphone is working. It seems like the students are hearing better. They are engaging more throughout the day and test scores are improving. Not to mention your voice isn’t strained at the end of the day. All of these are excellent benefits to a good system. However, there are small things you can do to complement the system, ensuring an even greater quality of hearing. 

Reducing Ambient Noise 

While the sound inside the classroom has improved, there may be external factors that can impact your students. This can include the sounds from traffic in the hallway, such as loud voices, footsteps, slamming lockers, and doors. These can all be distractions from focused listening. The same can be said for outdoor traffic like cars, horns, sirens, and pedestrian movement. There are ways to decrease these noises, allowing your classroom sound reinforcement system to work to optimum capacity. 

Sealing doors. Sealing large spaces between floor and door can dramatically reduce incoming noise. By installing a bottom door seal or bottom door stopper, it can reduce outside noise and stop drafts as well. If there are windows in the door, seal them with caulk to also reduce hallway noises. 

Soundproof fabrics. You have a few options to block external sound. Purchasing soundproof or noise-reducing sheets or curtains over windows can absorb and filter noises from outside coming into the classroom. These items can also be placed over doors. 

These items can be found at many home improvement stores or online. 

Reducing Lost Sound in High Ceilings 

Sound travels. We know this. But in large rooms, it has to travel further. When this happens, it becomes lost in the “dead spaces” of a room or ceiling. The further it has to go before it comes into contact with a hard space, the more reverberation the sound has. The more reverberation, the more distorted the sound becomes. This results in poor hearing. When 75 percent of a student’s day is from listening, it’s vital that the distance sound travels is as short and direct as possible. American Sound will show you how to optimize the classroom sound reinforcement system by placing the speakers properly 

Many classrooms have high ceilings, particularly in larger rooms or older buildings. This is great for offering feelings of space, but it can make speaking and hearing difficult, even with a good microphone and speaker system. 

Acoustic ceiling panels. Installing acoustic panels is a great way to give sound a hard space to bounce off of and travel back down to the ear. These panels are made from various materials like polyester fibers, fabrics, and foam that are hard enough to bounce sound and soft enough to absorb ambient noises. Many companies now make these out of recycled materials, reducing your carbon footprint. 

Room dividers. Room dividers are another way to stop sound from travelling into parts of a room where it doesn’t need to go. Like the acoustic panels, room dividers can be purchased in a variety of sizes, styles and materials. Strategically placing these in the back of the room can increase the quality of hearing your students need. You can even place student’s artwork inside the panels to add color and showcase work. 

Area rugs. If you can’t afford to carpet the whole room, placing area rugs around your desk, in large play areas or in open spaces will stop noise from bouncing off the hard floor. 

Classroom Sound Reinforcement by American Sound

These are great additions to your new sound reinforcement that don’t cost much and create a huge value to you and your students. Contact American Sound or call (859) 261-9024 to learn more about the classroom sound reinforcement systems we install.

What About Classroom Sound Reinforcement for Outdoors?

American Sound understands that teachers need to be heard above the din of an indoor classroom setting. But what happens when you take the class outdoors? Today’s blog from American Sound talks about classroom sound reinforcement for outdoor spaces. 

Related Post: How to Make Classroom Sound Reinforcement Cool for Elementary Kids

Megaphones

Megaphones represent the most common method teachers use for outdoor classroom sound reinforcement. However, megaphones can distort voices, create feedback, and might scare kids too close to the device. Plus, communal megaphones can spread germs if the people using them are unmasked. Megaphones offer great range and volume.

Wearable Wireless Microphone Systems

Portable wireless microphone systems offer decent sound amplification. A teacher might wear a microphone and speaker at the same time. But this type of classroom sound reinforcement has a limited range as people need to be relatively close (50 feet or so) to hear the small portable speaker.

Portable Sound Reinforcement

A portable sound reinforcement system is the way to go when you take your class outdoors, whether it’s for recess, lunch, PE, or science class. American Sound can create a custom setup that allows you to sync your microphone with portable outdoor speakers that are robust enough for students to hear clearly. Our technicians will show you how to operate the system correctly and effectively for best results.

Related Post: How to Combine Hybrid Learning and Classroom Sound Reinforcement Technology

Classroom Sound by American Sound

Contact American Sound or call (859) 261-9024 to learn more about our classroom sound reinforcement solutions. Not only will we install each system, but we’ll train your teachers on how to use them.

Three Main Considerations for Choosing a Classroom Sound Reinforcement System

A classroom sound reinforcement system helps save your teachers’ voices, reduces the spread of germs, and enhances learning in your school. You’ll need to select the right system based on classroom size, acoustics, range, and the type of instruction. 

But there are other considerations to think about as well. Today’s blog from American Sound discusses three things to keep in mind when investing in a classroom sound reinforcement system.

Related Post: How to Make Classroom Sound Reinforcement Cool for Elementary Kids

1. Does it have enough power for everyone to hear the teacher?

The most important component of classroom sound reinforcement systems is the speaker set up. You’ll need speakers that can reach everyone in the classroom. Plus, technicians have to optimize the system to prevent feedback from the microphone, balance the decibel levels throughout the room, and eliminate echoes in the room.

2. How well does it reproduce sound?

Students must be able to hear the teacher intelligibly at all times. Not only does this foster learning, but it can help save a teacher’s voice. Being able to hear the teacher also comes in handy for emergency drills, weather emergencies, and other class announcements. 

The connections among the microphone and speakers need to be robust. Broken connections, lack of power to the microphone, and interruptions in the transmission all lead to lower volume and time spent troubleshooting instead of teaching. The team at American Sound will show you how to use the classroom sound reinforcement system and ensure the equipment operates properly.

3. Is the classroom sound reinforcement system easy to set up and move around?

You may choose to alter your classroom configuration from time to time to foster better learning. There might be instances where a classroom undergoes a renovation or the class size changes. 

All of these instances might present a situation where you want to move the speakers for the classroom sound reinforcement system. We’ll demonstrate how to do this easily and effectively for optimal sound in your classroom.

Related Post: How an Investment in Classroom Sound Reinforcement Pays Off in the Long Run

Classroom Sound Reinforcement by American Sound

Do your teachers need a little extra help in their classrooms? Contact American Sound or call (859) 261-9024 to learn more about the classroom sound reinforcement systems we install.

Choosing the Right Classroom Sound Reinforcement System

Your school system may benefit from classroom sound reinforcement, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. Schools must adapt to new learning environments brought about by the spread of this infectious disease. Today’s blog from American Sound talks about choosing the right classroom sound reinforcement technology for your building or system.

Related Post: 5 Reasons Your Teachers Need Classroom Sound Reinforcement

Classroom Size

The classroom’s size is probably the most important factor in selecting the right classroom sound reinforcement system. There’s the physical classroom size: Is it a small room? Is it half of a gymnasium? Then there’s how many children are in the room. A small room with 30 children may need the same type of system as a larger room with 10 students. American Sound can determine the right type of classroom sound reinforcement for each individual room in your building.

Portability

Can the elements of your classroom sound reinforcement be moved around the room easily? For example, a wireless microphone is a must. Do you prefer a ceiling-mounted speaker or one with a portable speaker the teacher can carry? Ceiling-mounted speakers pack a greater sound punch compared to portable models, but those won’t work if the teacher needs to head outside for recess.

Range

What’s the range of the system? Range includes the sensitivity of the microphone, such as how close or far away the microphone is from the teacher’s mouth. The range for classroom sound reinforcement technology also includes how far away someone can hear noises coming from the speaker. You want everyone in the room to hear what’s coming from the system, but not necessarily those in the hallway walking past the room.

Type of Instruction

A teacher lecturing on ordinary topics, such as math, science, or writing, needs a different classroom sound reinforcement system compared to a teacher working with musical instruments or singing. Those types of classrooms have different configurations and acoustics requirements, so you’ll need slightly different configurations for your sound systems.

Related Post: Why Classroom Technology in Cincinnati OH Is More Important Than Ever

Classroom Technology by American Sound

The pros at American Sound are experts in classroom sound reinforcement. We’d be happy to demonstrate how these systems work, and then we’ll discuss your options. Get in touch with American Sound or call (859) 261-9024 for more information on how we can help your school system, teachers, and students.

How an Investment in Classroom Sound Reinforcement Pays Off in the Long Run

How to Make Classroom Sound Reinforcement Cool for Elementary Kids

Teachers need all the help they can get as they adapt to new learning models in the classroom due to the COVID-19 pandemic. While masks and social distancing make it harder to deliver lessons, there are ways around these barriers to education.

Enter classroom sound reinforcement systems. They pipe sound through a microphone into an overhead speaker so everyone can hear. These systems save your teachers’ voices and allow them to be heard in all corners of the classroom. Today’s blog from American Sound discusses how to make classroom sound reinforcement cool for elementary school kids.

Related Post: 5 Ways Classroom Technology Enhances Your Students’ Learning

Remember That Kids Love Technology

One thing to remember is that kids love technology. The sooner young children learn how to use computers and smartphones, the more adept they’ll be at using new technology when they’re older. Kindergarteners will undoubtedly ask repeated questions about the microphone and where the teacher’s voice is coming from with regard to the classroom sound reinforcement technology. Kids are understandably curious, and they want to know about the cool gadget their teacher is using.

Talk About the System

Rather than wait and talk about the classroom sound reinforcement when you have a formal lesson, talk about the system when kids ask about it. Say how this helps everyone, and that kids should pay attention to whoever speaks through the microphone. Consider letting some pupils speak through the mic so they can hear their own voices. Children learn best when they can relate to the lesson, so making it about them is a great way to help them feel at ease with the classroom reinforcement technology. 

Make It a Teachable Item

Turn the classroom sound reinforcement technology into a formal lesson. Discuss how sound travels, the technology behind microphones and speakers, turning sound into electrical signals, and how radio waves connect the microphone to the speakers. Of course, each lesson should be age-appropriate. 

Discuss the Importance of Technology

Discuss how important technology is in the lives of everyone. Surely, your students can relate to talking to their parents through a smartphone. Talk about how the same type of technology applies to your classroom sound reinforcement system. Expand the teachable moment to talk about how communication, such as talking and listening, is important for everyone.

Experiment With It

Experiment with classroom sound reinforcement. Have your students talk into the microphone. Does the sound coming out of the speaker get louder as you get closer to it and then softer as you move away from it? What happens when someone whispers into the microphone? What happens if someone shouts?

Related Post: 5 Reasons Your Teachers Need Classroom Sound Reinforcement

Classroom Technology & American Sound

Classroom sound reinforcement is an essential part of an overall classroom technology platform, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. These types of systems can help your students and teachers stay healthier while achieving effective outcomes.  Contact American Sound or call (859) 261-9024 for more information on what we can do for your school.

How to Combine Hybrid Learning and Classroom Sound Reinforcement Technology

Many school districts across the country are turning to a hybrid learning model. Teachers combine in-class learning with remote learning as students connect from home using laptops or mobile devices. 

When combined with internet connectivity, classroom sound reinforcement can help teachers reach the most students in the most effective ways. Today’s blog from American Sound explains how to combine hybrid learning and classroom sound reinforcement.

Related Post: 5 Reasons Your Teachers Need Classroom Sound Reinforcement

Hearing the Teacher’s Voice

One key to learning, both in class and at home, is hearing the teacher’s voice. A teacher needs to make sure every student can hear his or her lessons, whether 30 kids are in the room or just five. 

Classroom sound reinforcement alleviates the strain on the teacher’s voice through the mask while making sure their voice comes through loud and clear in the speaker system. But how do you set up the system to make sure students at home can hear, too?

Setting Up Microphones

Wireless microphones represent the best setup for hybrid learning and classroom sound reinforcement. Make sure your wireless microphone technology connects to the room’s speakers and the computer that transmits the lessons to your students. 

State-of-the-art wireless microphones use a USB drive that plugs into the laptop to serve as a direct audio connection. That prevents feedback from the overhead speaker from creating a loop of squeals and static. Plus, that direct audio link makes it easier for students to hear a teacher’s unfiltered voice compared to one that goes through the teacher’s microphone, a speaker, the computer’s microphone, and then the student’s speakers. 

Dual Receivers

To accomplish effective hybrid and in-room learning with classroom sound reinforcement, you’ll need a wireless microphone system with dual receivers that connect directly to computers and speakers at the same time. 

Other considerations include:

  • Does the classroom sound reinforcement reach the entire room?
  • Is the system user-friendly?
  • Can it reproduce sound so everyone can understand the teacher clearly?

Related Post: Why Classroom Technology in Cincinnati OH Is More Important Than Ever

Classroom Technology by American Sound

The pros at American Sound are experts in classroom sound reinforcement. Talk to us about scheduling a consultation or demonstration of how these systems work. We’d be happy to meet with you to discuss options. Contact American Sound or call (859) 261-9024 for more information on what we can do for your school system, teachers, and students.