Learning and Leading - November 2012

BUYER’Sguide

Headphones first appeared at school in language labs, but their use has spread to every class and subject. Instruction using internet-based video and audio has increased, and many teachers plan student-produced podcasts and videos. Skype sessions, enabled by voice over internet protocol (VoIP), allow classes to connect via the internet by converting analog voice signals into digital data. Headphones and headsets are key components of this.

One of the challenges of an audio-rich classroom is that students hear multiple and competing sounds. Between the ambient noise in a classroom and audio from other computers, it can be difficult for students to concentrate. Headphones make it easier for them to focus.

Schools must consider the many options when shopping for headsets and headphones. When choosing headphones for your classroom, begin by considering how many you will need, whether you will require microphones, and your budget. The models listed here are suitable for classroom use and retail for less than $100.

Size and Configuration
Although earbuds, which insert
inside the ear canal, are the small-
est and least expensive audio out-
put devices, full-size headphones
are a better choice for classrooms
because they are more sanitary and
block more of the ambient noise
in the room. Circumaural models
have ear cups that fully enclose the
ear. Supra-aural models have ear
pads resting on the ear. They let
external sounds in but are more
comfortable. Headphones with
microphones attached, usually
called headsets, allow students to
not only listen, but also respond
with a high-quality audio input.

Wireless or USB

USB VoIP headsets connect to a computer’s USB port and are typically plug-and-play. Wireless headsets are more expensive, but you can move around the room using radio frequency (RF) or Bluetooth connectivity. The caveat is that wireless headsets require batteries.

Noise Cancellation Noise-cancelling headphones do not eliminate extraneous noise, but instead create “anti-noise” to counter ambient sound, such as an air conditioning hum. Students can listen effectively without raising the volume to overcome interfering sounds. Noise-reducing microphones eliminate most of the background noise as students speak.

Classroom Sets Califone and Hamilton specialize in classroom sets, which equate to a lower price per unit. For a classroom with one work center, a single, high-quality headphone set might be a better choice. Other options to consider are splitters, low-cost devices that allow more than one headset to connect to the same audio source, and disposable or washable ear cup covers for hygienic use when many students use the same headphones.

—Maureen Yoder, EdD, is on the faculty of the Technology in Education Program at Lesley University in Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA. She volunteers as a columnist for L&L.