New Research Backs Classroom Technology

New Research Backs Classroom Technology That Makes It Easier To Hear And Teach

New research confirms that the country’s primary school principals have the opportunity to remove barriers to learning by adopting technology designed specifically for the classroom that makes it easier to hear and teach.

Oticon New Zealand’s FrontRow Active Learning soundfield systems – which include speakers and microphones to make it easier to listen and hear in the learning environment - are on show at the New Zealand Principals Federation Conference in Wellington this week, alongside research involving primary school children from Master’s Degree researcher Virginia Good.

“The research adds to the mounting body of evidence demonstrating the positive effects of soundfield systems on behavioural and academic achievement,” says Ms Good. “My research project examined the effectiveness of an enhanced listening environment (soundfield amplification) combined with phonological awareness intervention compared to an enhanced listening environment alone.”

The research shows:
• Children responded positively to the systems and the benefits were observable by teachers within a few days of installation of the systems
• A significant gain in one measure of phoneme awareness
• Behaviour and general academic performance benefited from the enhanced acoustic environment

The research sets out teacher comments including:
• Positive change in on-task behaviours of children with the use of soundfield amplification
• Soundfield amplification having a beneficial effect on students working below expected norms
• Children of middle ability made a significant jump in progress and all children were recording sounds in writing more clearly
• Soundfield amplification greatly reduced vocal strain
• Teachers experienced more energy and less tiredness
• Soundfield amplification seemed to enable a lower stress, calmer classroom environment
• Comprehension of teacher instructions improved and students’ abilities to follow
instructions changed positively.

“The research builds on what we know locally and internationally about the benefits of FrontRow Active Learning Systems in the learning environment,” says Karen Pullar, General Manager of Oticon New Zealand.

“ FrontRow systems are designed specifically for the classroom to optimise classroom sound quality, engage young minds and inspire participation and create a more intimate learning environment,” says Ms Pullar.

“Oticon and FrontRow are the industry leaders delivering soundfield systems to New Zealand schools for more than 40 years. We have around 2500 classrooms using the technology, with principals, teachers and students across the country knowing firsthand the difference it is making to their schools.”

Oticon New Zealand is part of one of the oldest hearing aid manufacturers in the world. The New Zealand company was established in 1974, and today manufactures hearing technology including hearing aids.

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