Research is a big deal when considering adopting technology for the classroom.
Decision makers must consider several factors before committing themselves and their dwindling technology funds. Manufacturer’s claims are always suspect. If you’re as cynical as I am, even the testimony of other educators can be twisted. So what’s an educator to do?
Several administrators at Miami-Dade County Public Schools had seen and heard classroom audio systems at trade shows. They listened to the sales pitches and scanned the data sheets but wanted to know what kind of research backed up the claims. If they were going to adopt a piece of technology for each of their classrooms, they needed a boat load of research proving its efficacy.
That’s when Christie Blazer, Supervisor of Research Services Assessment of Miami–Dade County Public Schools took on the project. Christie spent months pouring over research that had been published over the previous 20+ years. “Improving the Classroom Environment; The rational underlying the use of classroom audio systems in general education classrooms” is a well documented, unbiased compilation of the facts. It deserves a read.
If you don’t have time to check out Christie’s review, here are the top four takeaways:
- Today’s classrooms are becoming more techno-savvy, but are nosier than ever.
- Children listen differently than adults and need a quieter environment and louder auditory signal to learn.
- Classroom audio is no longer just for the hard of hearing (HOH), but for the entire student population.
- Research shows a positive impact on student academic achievement.
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