LVJUSD Schools Pilot Classroom Video, Voice Enhancements

LIVERMORE, CA - From Livermore Unified Valley Joint School District: A classroom filled with eager, curious, lively students tends to get a little noisy. During a class project or working in groups, for example, students can be found scattered across the room in discussion. Ideally, a student from anywhere in the room should be able to check the directions or questions projected on the front of the room. The teacher, from anywhere in the room, should be able to regain the class’s attention at any time without straining her voice.

All students deserve an equitable learning experience. The ability to hear and see instruction, and to have a voice while they participate in their education, is crucial to their success. To that end, the Livermore Valley Joint Unified School District (LVJUSD) sought ways to improve student and teacher experiences in the classroom utilizing technology and innovative solutions to the fundamental issue of communication among classmates and their teachers.

Based on feedback from administrators and staff, as well as collected data from an audit of classrooms conducted at each site by the LVJUSD Information Technology (IT) Department, it was determined that classrooms at all sites would benefit from an upgrade to their audio and visual components. As technology continues to be integrated into education, the ability to see detailed visual projections and hear clearly in every corner of the room is more important than ever.

The upgrade package – consisting of a ceiling-mounted projector, an updated audio system, ceiling and wall mounted speakers, and microphones for teachers and students – was piloted last school year in eighteen classrooms around the District, representing various sites and grade levels. Working with this equipment, teachers at each site found that the improvements opened up engagement from their students and promoted innovative lessons. This equipment will be funded by the Measure J Bond, which is, in part, tasked with modernizing classrooms and increasing access to individuals with disabilities.

The ceiling projectors not only provided clear visuals to students seated anywhere in the classroom, but also freed up space on the ground for movement around the classroom during activities or interactive lessons. Image quality and ease of use were rated very highly by the teachers. They reported fewer students having trouble seeing from wherever they were sitting, and the elevated screen prevented students in front blocking the screen from those behind them. Removing the projector from a cart on the ground gave teachers and students more mobility, and ensured cords and equipment were safely out of reach.

Listening is the primary channel for learning for many students, and accounts for around 75% of a student’s day in school. Barriers to hearing clearly range from ambient noise, voice strain on the teacher, and hearing loss. Use of the voice enhancement technology - including speakers mounted around the classroom, a teacher pendant microphone, and a portable student microphone - significantly reduced distraction and improved engagement.

With the reclaimed floor space, teachers moved more easily around the classroom to increase engagement from their students. The teacher pendant microphone, worn around the neck, allowed teachers to speak at a steady volume from anywhere in the room with confidence that they were reaching every student equally from speakers mounted around the room. “I noticed that the kids were more engaged and being able to hear me better kept them more focused,” said Estelle Coffeen, who piloted the new equipment in her 5th grade class at Smith Elementary.

Teachers also found that the portable microphone for students encouraged more respectful and engaging discussions. “It made it very clear who was speaking and who should have everyone's attention,” said Coffeen. “And it made it easier to hear those quieter students when they were speaking.”

“My students used the extra microphone during read-alouds and presentations,” said Cassia Cardwell, of her 5th grade class at Altamont Creek. “Just the use of the microphone gets kids excited and breathes new enthusiasm into lessons.”

This pilot program has set the stage for plans to roll out the equipment District-wide, to outfit classrooms with the video and voice enhancements. The reports from the teachers who piloted the program were overwhelmingly positive. They found the equipment to be consistently reliable, and noted an improvement in attentiveness and engagement from their students.

Photo courtesy of LVJUSD