When Andrew Wallace first tried Lightspeed’s instructional audio system at an industry conference, he didn’t think his voice sounded much different. Those around him, however, did.
“I noticed when I was speaking that people were really more in-tune with what I was saying,” said Wallace, who is the director of technology for South Portland School Department
Simi Valley Unified School District first tested Lightspeed’s Topcat instructional audio system at an elementary school serving deaf and hearing-impaired students, but quickly realized the system had much broader impact.
“There’s a tremendous benefit to all of our students,” said Jennifer Goldman, principal at Mountain View Elementary School.
By Lisa Parker
By Sonja Parks
Times have changed, and so has the way schools teach.
Because of technology, schools have been able to improve how a student learns. In a recent study, 64% of high school seniors said tablets allow them to study more efficiently, and 81% of teachers think tablets can enrich classroom learning.
Due to the onset of digital learning at Rockingham County Schools, we have completely revolutionized the way we teach. By taking a step back and looking at how we can change the learning environment, we have greatly impacted student achievement. Children are using new equipment and moving around during classes, talking to teachers, sharing their ideas, and ultimately, learning at a higher level than ever before.
By Shaun Fagan
Say goodbye to the traditional learning environment.
Today’s learners deserve collaborative environments that meet their individual and collective needs—and educational leaders can learn how to provide physical and cultural environments that are empowering and engaging.
Traditional classrooms often feature students sitting in rows of desks while the instructor is in the front of the room at a chalkboard or whiteboard. This setup needs to be replaced with one that is designed to support thinking, alter teaching practices and strategies, and increase student engagement and achievement. Classrooms that are adaptive while meeting student needs incorporate writable desktops and wall space, hands-on and eyes-on learning tools, flexible seating options, scaffolding knowledge charts, and other innovative tools. Furthermore, there is no teacher’s desk at the front of the class, and students are encouraged to move around the classroom to collaborate with other students on tasks.
