How can new technologies assist schools in integrating in-person students with homeschooled ones when schools reopen after COVID-19?

Homeschooling children during the COVID-19 crisis is forcing schools to reimagine their approach to education, placing a higher emphasis in technological innovations that may lead to lasting changes when schools welcome back their students in the fall. 

Some schools are considering a blended approach for 2020-2021 school year with both in-campus, as well as off-campus virtual school options for families concerned about their child returning to the classroom next school year.

So, what technologies need to be in place tointegrate both in-person and homeschooled students so that both groups of students can participate actively no matter whether they are in school with their teacher or following a virtual class from home?

In addition to schools using existing platforms to deliver lessons for their students such as Microsoft and Google as well as conferencing apps like Zoom or Skype, it’s important that schools offer their students at home the ability to listen clearly not only to their teachers but also to their classmates. Students may ask questions that the whole class needs to hear to maintain the thread of what is being taught and do not leave some students behind. There might be peer assignments with groups consisting of home students and students physically present in the classroom, where they will need to interact fluidly. And many more examples of situations where more than one-way audio is vital to the flow of the lessons.

Microphone Array

And a single computer with a single microphone pointing forward will be enough for the student at home, but not for the classroom, since several audio sources from several directions need to be captured. This is why array microphones will become the standard.

These devices feature a group of microphones aiming in different directions thus covering the whole room at the time; they should be placed near the blackboard pointing outward, enabling home students to listen as if they were right there with the rest of their classmates. These devices work by constantly probing their area of coverage for incoming sounds, and if while sweeping they detect any, the microphone pointing in that direction is automatically enabled to capture it.

Every question, every back and forward, every oral test coming from anywhere in the room will be reproduced in their home computer speakers. 

Classroom Microphone for Zoom

You may visit the Teleconferencing section in our website for various solutions such as the Voice Tracker 3 that is an affordable option with 35 ft nominal range for meeting recording or voice control, and since both Zoom and Skype have robust acoustic echo cancellers, this microphone can be used for distance learning applications as well. Another option is Sennheiser TeamConnect Ceiling 2, which is the perfect fit for mid to large-sized meeting rooms and classrooms as it captures your voice easily within a radius of up to 60 sqm.

Buy Voice Tracker III

Buy TeamConnect Ceiling 2

if you have any further questions about which solution is best for your school, please contact us at 888-737-4030 or send us an email at sales@conferencemicrophones.com

FAQ's - Different Solutions for Meetings & Classroom:

Do these products come with a warranty?

Yes, they do. You can check the warranty information on each product page.

Do you offer personalized pre-sales assistance?

We do. If you have any further questions about which solution is best for your school, please contact us at 888-737-4030 or send us an email at sales@conferencemicrophones.com. We’ll be glad to assist you.

How do Array Microphones work?

Array microphones feature a group of microphones, aiming in different directions thus covering the whole room at the time. They work by constantly probing their area of coverage for incoming sounds, and if while sweeping they detect any, the microphone pointing in that direction is automatically enabled to capture it.

Are they suitable for online or hybrid classes?

Yes, you can totally use these for Zoom or Skype. They are a great choice for distance learning.

Where should I place an array microphone?

Array Microphones should be placed near the blackboard, pointing outward.