Headphones and Headsets Assist Distance Learning

One of the fastest growing aspects of 21st century education is the dramatic rise of distance learning. One recently released report estimated that more than 1 million students are now taking classes online – a 47% increase from the Sloan Consortium’s original K-12 study done two years earlier. “K-12 Online Learning: A 2008 Follow-up of the Survey of U.S. School District Administrators” finds the vast majority of American school districts are providing some form of online learning and even more plan to do so within the next three years.

The impact is perhaps most readily seen in smaller, rural districts, where online courses provide the ability to offer coursework that is otherwise unavailable. One such example is the Jemez Valley Public School District, north of Albuquerque, New Mexico, where the majority of students do not have access to technology at home and the district wanted to provide their students with new and different challenging course options. With limited resources within the community, JVSD decided to implement a distance learning program. Students can now choose from 20 courses taught by dedicated teachers in Pennsylvania, more than 1,800 miles away. Students meet in the library and participate over the Internet to take classes, such as pre-algebra and English literature. Said Lisa Simpson, Systems Manager for the district, “Since hosting a distance learning program requires quality headphones, we chose the Superior Stereo Headphone because we trust the Califone brand and know the equipment can handle the kids.”

The New Mexico school district is not alone in adding the online classes. The Sloan Report states that three quarters of the responding public school districts are offering online or blended courses for a variety of reasons.

Mary Beth White, an English teacher for Alexander Central High School in Taylorsville, N.C., also is one of many teachers nationwide expanding their classrooms virtually. As a teacher for the North Carolina Virtual Public School (NCVPS), White teaches Spanish – another subject she is passionate about – to a large group of students with varying skill sets and interests. White’s students use the headset for language activities, such as practicing verb conjunctions. Many of her lessons require students to listen to specific phrases or words, and to practice by saying each out loud into the microphone. They record their practice lessons, and send the resulting MP3 files back to White for her review and grading.

“The 3064 headsets allow for remediation and differentiated instruction as each student is learning at a different level,” said White. “And it is so much better than using the built-in microphone on your computer. These headsets allow me to clearly hear what each student is saying.”