EDUCATION
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At the heart of almost any classroom is the board, allowing teachers to enhance presentations with a handy visual aid. Over decades, its appearance has shifted somewhat, with chalkboards becoming white boards, and then white boards becoming Smart Boards (manufactured by Smart Technologies). The modern Smart Board is interactive and intelligent, acting as a wall-sized display allowing users to touch, type, write and erase whatever’s on-screen – whether it’s a plain backdrop, PDF or PNG. Smart Boards integrate with classroom technologies, with the option of mirrored display on students’ individual devices. They also support screen capture and saving, so no activity or insight is lost – even after clearing up for the next lesson. The Smart Board is easy to use, giving teachers extra time for planning and grading, with the added benefit of a more dynamic, engaging experience. THROWS AND SLIDE SHOWS Like the board, projectors have come a long way. Slide projectors dominated the late 20th century (hence the term ‘slide show’ as a synonym for presentation), having since been largely replaced by video projectors. There are many elements to projectors worth noting, from image resolution and contrast ratio to brightness, lamp life and connectivity. Concerning educational environments, the best projector might depend on the classroom’s size, the distance between the projector and the screen (also known as throw), as well as ambient light levels. Optoma, Epson and Viewsonic offer a range of projectors suited to various academic spaces. In smaller classrooms, the Optoma GT2100HDR excels, offering portability and a short-throw lens. For larger rooms, the brand’s HD146X model may be a better choice, though it works well in almost any environment. If a school’s budget can be stretched, then Epson’s Pro EX9240 is a winner, boasting high image quality at Full HD (1080p), while Viewsonic’s PX748-4K offers UHD – ideal for visual subjects like art, history, film or photography. While most modern
projectors come with built-in speakers, it’s worth checking for an audio output if sound is a key concern. AUDIO-VISUAL AID Installing an up-to-date AV system can be an huge undertaking; thankfully, companies such as Genelec, Definition Audio Visual and D&A Media specialise in just that. Genelec, which primarily creates loudspeakers, covers the audio in AV, delivering solutions to classrooms, lecture halls, studios and theatres. Its speakers are easy to install, promising crisp audio to fill an entire auditorium without relying on external amplifiers. Useful for audio engineering and music production, Genelec empowers students to learn by listening. Definition and D&A Media cover both the audio and visual, offering AV system installation for stage performances and large-screen projections, digital signage, interactive white boards and video conferencing tools, as well as school- wide sound systems for announcements via PA. Their solutions are customisable, meeting the needs of any school, college or university – bridging the gap between analogue and digital within education. INCLUSIVE EDUCATION AV technology is seeing a growing number of applications in education, from video conferencing and projection to virtual and interactive environments. Though TEL undoubtedly comes with various benefits – flexibility, engagement and efficiency for teachers and learners – it also faces potential obstacles en route to ensuring inclusivity. Student wellbeing should always be a key consideration, and not all students are alike. They often come from diverse socio-economic backgrounds, have distinct learning styles and vary in ability. To truly transform education, technology should cater to all students – and take accessibility into account. Transcription and captioning services are paramount for students with AV impairments. For instance, platforms such as Amberscript and Rev rely on AI to deliver accurate transcriptions and captions in multiple languages. Similarly, speech-to-text software can aid students who struggle with reading and writing. With this in mind, Dragon (by Nuance) enables students to express themselves through speech, with software reciting their work aloud rather than needing to be proofread. AV technology can significantly enhance education for everyone by making it more enjoyable, engaging and inclusive. Thanks in large part to the pandemic, blended formats have proven their benefits to both students and instructors, while the latest technologies such as VR headsets offer an added level of immersion. As more AV tools hit the market, educators should consider how these solutions can facilitate the best possible academic outcomes and prepare future generations for life beyond the classroom.
Dragon is an alternative means of expression for students, aiding those who struggle with reading or writing
Student wellbeing should always be a major consideration, and not all students are alike. Often, they come from diverse backgrounds”
Optoma projectors can be versatile solutions for classrooms of various sizes
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