Integrating Audio / Video Technology In the Classroom
By: Tim Schnabel

Data published in 2008 by the market research firm TFCinfo found that more than 70 percent of classrooms in schools surveyed include a large-screen video projector. Why? Teachers want a way to present a large, high-resolution view of content from their computers, rather than deal with the grainy image from a TV on a rolling cart.

Lower cost is certainly another reason for the proliferation of video projectors. Decreasing prices and a highly competitive marketplace have given administrators and technology committees even more choices. Even as prices have fallen, picture quality, brightness, and available features continue to improve.

The key to making the right choice is to view classroom A/V technology as a system. The components may come from different manufacturers, but, when deciding what to buy, you will want to carefully consider how the components will work together.

There are several considerations when making classroom technology buying decisions. Will teachers embrace the technology and actually use it? How will you keep it all running without exceeding your technical support budget? Can equipment be secured against theft or vandalism? Can you connect the system components without cords and cables that create trip hazards? How can you be sure that the systems you buy today will be easy to upgrade in the future?

Why Use Classroom A/V Technology?
The use of “multimedia” in the classroom is certainly nothing new. Teachers have historically used a wide range of media to reach students. Most adults can remember how activities such as “show-and-tell,” science projects, film strips, overheads, model-making, field trips, and the hands-on study of artifacts in the classroom added a dimension of realism to their learning experience. Teachers continue to look for ways to deliver content in fresh, new ways. When used properly, classroom A/V technology can provide the rich media necessary to stimulate students of all learning styles.

The One-Computer Classroom
Computers are powerful tools for delivering this rich media content. The personal computer gives a teacher access to Internet resources with the goal of gathering up-to-date, even real-time, information for the development of teaching materials. Many teachers also use their classroom computer to manage files and maintain student records.

However, as a teaching tool, the one-computer classroom poses a couple of challenges. How do you share the computer with all the students in a way that is engaging and encourages student participation, and how do you adequately secure the equipment from theft?

Frequently, the classroom computer is located near the teacher’s desk with a single monitor on the desktop. This configuration makes it difficult to share information with the entire class and is not conducive to allowing students to use the computer for presentations. Adding a projector and screen, as many schools have done, is the best way to share the classroom computer. The projector will also allow for connecting other source devices, such as a DVD player and document camera.

But, what about security? The decreasing size and increasing popularity of projectors for home theater applications has led to a wave of projector theft on campuses around the country. Taking steps to safeguard one of the most expensive pieces of equipment in the room is just common sense. When selecting A/V system components, it is critical to consider how the projector and other equipment will be protected. Besides physically mounting the hardware, you will want to look other technologies, such as network connectivity, that can provide cost-effective, 24-hour monitoring capabilities.

Here are seven things to look for when buying classroom A/V technology.

1. Centralized Room Control
A control panel mounted on a wall or lectern replaces the handheld IR remotes that are so easily lost or stolen, and, as an added benefit, there are no batteries to replace. A centralized control panel will allow a teacher to control the entire classroom A/V system from a central location.

2. Ease of Use
One of the biggest barriers to acceptance of classroom A/V technology by the faculty is knowing how to use it. When selecting a controller for the system, look for large, backlit, well-labeled buttons and a simple volume control knob. A controller that is easy to use will help ensure that teachers can learn to operate the system quickly, with little or no training.

3. Avoid Programming
Many sophisticated control systems require custom computer code to make the system work. When a change is made, the controller has to be reprogrammed by a specially trained programmer whose time is usually expensive. You’ll save time and money with a system that can be easily configured by the same technician who does the installation.

4. Network Connectivity
The convergence of A/V system control with today’s high-speed networks is one of the most powerful advances in classroom technology. Network connectivity allows administrators and support personnel to manage, monitor, troubleshoot, and control systems remotely. The right combination of hardware connectivity and robust resource management software will provide theft alerts when equipment is disconnected, save energy, and reduce your projector lamp costs by making sure equipment is turned off when not in use. It will also provide visibility and control of all of the components in an A/V system when working through trouble calls.

5. Security Features
In addition to the theft alert capability provided by network connectivity, you’ll also want to look for system components that enable mounting of the projector and other components out of sight and away from tampering hands.

6. Mounting, Connectivity, Audio, and Control All From One Manufacturer
No single manufacturer makes all of the components of a classroom A/V system. You will almost certainly have to obtain the projector, computer, DVD player, document camera, and any other source equipment from various manufacturers. If you find a single manufacturer that has designed and built the mounting hardware, cabling, audio amplifier, speakers, and control panel—essentially the heart of the system—you are likely to enjoy a high level of cohesiveness and support from system design through installation.

7. Universal Support for Displays and Source Devices
As previously mentioned, your systems are likely to include display and source equipment from more than one manufacturer. It is critical that the parts of the system that tie it all together can accommodate products from any manufacturer. This is not only an important part of the initial design, but vital for when it comes time to replace or upgrade individual pieces of equipment.

Tim Schnabel has 20 years of experience working with technology project based applications in the corporate and educational marketplace. His capacity as the director of educational programs at Extron Electronics involves leading programs directed to support higher and K-12 education markets, www.extron.com.

Sidebar
Portable Sound: The Ultimate in Flexibility

With capabilities that can rival those of larger installed systems, the popularity of portable sound systems is skyrocketing as schools look to maximize the value of their investment in sound reinforcement equipment.

Why Portable Sound?
Modern battery-powered portable sound systems not only provide backup for installed sound systems when power fails but also open up many new venues for activities, such as outdoor assemblies, sporting events at home and away, fundraisers, field trips, even outdoor graduation ceremonies. Got a marching band or cheer squad? Portable sound systems with their built-in CD/MP3 players and wireless microphones make practice setups a snap for non-technical users, and not being tied to an AC outlet is a real boon. Place the system on a stand, turn it on, and go.

What makes a portable sound system professional?

Here’s a hint—a karaoke machine from the “big box store” just won’t cut it. While the low cost of consumer products is initially attractive, their capabilities are limited and durability is sadly lacking. Quality portable sound systems are designed from the ground up with one-piece molded enclosures that can handle bumps and bruises that shatter consumer products. Built-in wireless microphones must operate reliably in a hostile radio frequency environment, and batteries should accept many hundreds of charging cycles. The sound system’s “throw,” or distance at which intelligible sound can be heard, is determined by the midrange speaker. Only a compression driver/horn combination can provide the efficiency and punch required. Weight should be less than 50 pounds for full range sound systems that handle crowds from 1,000 to 3,000 people and less than 20 pounds for voice-oriented products. 

Types of Portable Sound Systems
Portable sound systems break down in to two types: full range and PA-Voice (public address). Full range systems, suitable for music and voice applications, typically employ an 8” or 10” bass speaker crossed over to a horn for the midrange and high frequencies. These are excellent for outdoor assemblies, plays, and PE activities that require music, such as aerobics. 

Voice systems, optimized for announcements and voice presentations, capitalize on the efficiency of a special horn/driver combination. PA-Voice systems are an excellent choice for the gym, athletic field, and emergency situations. While full range systems are more flexible, they are larger, heavier, and more expensive.

Options and Accessories
At a minimum, consider a wireless microphone option. While portable sound systems include wired microphone inputs, a wireless mic dramatically improves flexibility. The quality of the wireless mic used by the manufacturer will have a major impact on your satisfaction with the system. Digital TV, shrinking spectrum, and other wireless systems result in congested airwaves. It is imperative that wireless microphones have adjustable frequencies and provide an indication of interfering signals. A built-in CD/MP3 player is very convenient and should also be considered.

Warranty and Support
Modern portable sound systems are sophisticated products. You should demand a warranty of at least three years on the system and one year on the options and battery. A manufacturer that offers less than that is giving you an indication as to the quality of their product.

Also, it’s not a bad idea to call the manufacturer of the product you’re considering and ask questions about system setup, wireless operation, etc. Your questions should be answered promptly by a knowledgeable and courteous support person. Busy phones, long hold times, and lack of product knowledge are danger signs.

Brian Stith is national sales manager for Sound Projections, www.soundprojections.com.