AV Solutions for Keeping Education Engaging

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]For educators, the goal is to engage students because an engaged student is an enthusiastic learner. The problem is that student engagement is dropping fast, according to multiple surveys. One, published in Idaho EdNews, reported that only 46 percent of students felt engaged in their high school classrooms. That was from 2021. In 2018, that number was 65 percent. A lot has impacted the way schools operate in the last few years, but one thing is certain - there are AV solutions that can help make the learning experience more engaging for every type of student. We've listed out some of our favorite solutions below.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

Interactive Displays Foster a More Interesting Learning Environment

Chalkboards, dry erase boards and overhead projectors had a good run, but interactive displays are next up and have a lot to offer. Most importantly, they combine the visual impact of a modern digital display with engagement-boosting power of interactivity. Interactive displays like the Clevertouch are designed to be instantly familiar to teachers and students, as they can be used like a smartphone or tablet. Simple touch gestures allow users to navigate through the display's interface and utilize applications like whiteboarding. With interactive displays, your teachers will have additional lesson planning and execution tools, so they can deliver content in a way that students will be more likely to respond. It's a well-established fact in education that we learn better when classes combine compelling visuals with lecture, and an interactive display serves this role.[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]

For Larger Venues, Digital Displays and Scoreboards Can Provide Excellent Signage Options

We're used to seeing oversized digital displays in major sports and performance arenas, but they can also be scaled down for a smaller audience. An obvious application of oversized displays is for athletics, where they make excellent scoreboards and screens for replays. If you're looking for more engagement in student athletics, a large digital display can make a big impact. An oversized display can also make for an effective advertising platform. The extra advertising space can pay for the display itself rapidly, and then become a source of revenue for the school.[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]

Large-format Projectors Can Also Deliver Impressive Video in a Bigger Space

Another large-format display option is a projector. Digital displays get most of the attention in AV these days, and rightfully so, but current-generation projectors can throw an extremely large image at ultra-high resolutions. They can do so economically, too, as projectors tend to be less expensive than high-end digital displays. A large-format projector may not be ideal for athletics, but it can be used for K-12 assemblies and presentations. Leading projector manufacturers include Panasonic and EPSON, including the EPSON Powerlite and Brightlink.[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]

PTZ Cameras and Video Streaming Technology Allow People to Watch School Events from Anywhere

The educational journey must also be engaging for parents. Engaged parents are much more likely to support students and help keep them engaged. One way to do this is to make school events more accessible to parents who cannot attend in person. PTA meetings, board meetings and athletic events are activities that parents often have trouble finding time for, but advanced cameras and video streaming technology make it possible with even the busiest schedule. Specifically, PTZ cameras like those that Poly and Logitech offer. A PTZ camera stands for pan-tilt-zoom and can be used to capture high quality video from any angle. Even better, quality PTZ cameras can be remotely controlled, so no one involved in the event has to focus on handling the cameras. Consider multiple PTZ cameras to create multiple viewing angles for parents to view.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

Audio Enhancement Makes the Classroom Experience Better for Teachers and Students

In the drive to make learning more engaging, a lot of schools forget to address their audio technology. Poor audio, though, can be a major impediment for many students, particularly those sitting in the back. Many classrooms also suffer from excess ambient noise. In both cases, the result is poor communication between teacher and student, resulting in worse performance and (often) poor engagement. Audio enhancement technology can solve the many issues that frequently interfere with communication. This could be as simple as audio amplification and better-positioned speakers. It could also be the addition of white or pink noise generators that drown out hallway noise. A popular approach is to equip the teacher with a worn microphone that they activate with a button press. The microphone is connected to in-room speakers that pipe any audio picked up by the mic. This not only produces even audio coverage throughout the room, it also saves the teacher's voice.[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]

Facilitate School-Wide Communication With Paging and Intercom Systems

Ideally, a teacher would never need to leave their classroom during a lesson. As soon as the educator's gone, engagement drops, and the interruption typically results in lesson-long disruption. To prevent such interruptions from impacting class flow, consider a paging and intercom system if your schools don't have one in place already. Paging and intercom equipment facilitate instant communication between the school's front office and any other room in the building. This includes classrooms, so teachers don't have to leave their class to receive important communications. Intercom solutions are especially popular because they allow for two-way communication. If there's any confusion regarding a message from the front office, the teacher won't have to sprint there for clarification. Intercom and paging systems are also vital emergency response tools, which can be activated in response to fire, tornado, or other incidents.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

Not Sure What AV Solution to Select for Your Schools? A Certified AV Integrator Can Help

As you can see, there's an impressive variety of AV technologies to choose from. For educators who have a budget to work with, selecting the right solutions can be extremely challenging. That's why many districts opt to work with a certified AV integrator when considering an AV project. An integrator can provide insight into all the AV tools available to educators, and which ones would fit best into your school and students' needs. An integrator can also design your school's AV solutions, install them, and support them following installation. In short, an experienced AV integrator can act as your district's technology partner, ensuring your schools are making the most out of their AV solutions.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]