Evaluating Sound Field Amplification Technology in New Brunswick Schools

Autor/inn/en	Rubin, Rhonda; Aquino-Russell, Catherine; Flagg-Williams, Joan
Titel	Evaluating Sound Field Amplification Technology in New Brunswick Schools
Quelle	(2007), (7 Seiten) PDF als Volltext kostenfreie Datei Verfügbarkeit
Sprache	englisch
Dokumenttyp	gedruckt; online; Monographie
Schlagwörter	Foreign Countries; Inclusion; Observation; Semi Structured Interviews; Kindergarten; Acoustics; Special Needs Students; Teaching Methods; Educational Improvement; Program Evaluation; Program Effectiveness; Classroom Environment; Preschool Teachers; Elementary School Teachers; Elementary School Students; Teacher Attitudes; Student Attitudes; Qualitative Research; Learning Processes; Pilot Projects; Comparative Analysis; Technology Uses in Education; Assistive Technology; Classroom Communication; Educational Equipment; Audio Equipment; Audiometric Tests; Screening Tests; Classroom Design; Language Arts; Speech Communication; Canada + Suchen Sie Ihr Suchwort? Ausland; Inklusion; Beobachtung; Akustik; Sonderpädagogischer Förderbedarf; Teaching method; Lehrmethode; Unterrichtsmethode; Teaching improvement; Unterrichtsentwicklung; Programme evaluation; Programmevaluation; Klassenklima; Unterrichtsklima; Pre-school education; Preschool education; Erzieher; Erzieherin; Kindergärtnerin; Vorschulerziehung; Vorschule; Elementary school; Teacher; Teachers; Grundschule; Volksschule; Lehrer; Lehrerin; Lehrende; Lehrerverhalten; Schülerverhalten; Qualitative Forschung; Learning process; Lernprozess; Pilot project; Modellversuch; Pilotprojekt; Technology enhanced learning; Technology aided learning; Technologieunterstütztes Lernen; Klassengespräch; Ausrüstung; Audio-CD; Screening-Verfahren; Klassenraumgestaltung; Sprachkultur; Kanada
Abstract	(Purpose) The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of classroom sound field amplification on communication in kindergarten through grade 3 classrooms. (Methodology) Sixty classrooms were involved in the study; half of the classrooms were provided with sound field amplification. The flow of communication was measured through classroom observation. A qualitative component of the study involved semi-structured interviews and open-ended questions with teachers and students. In addition, acoustic measures were recorded using a sound level meter and hearing screenings of the students were completed. (Results) The flow of communication in amplified classrooms improved in most areas studied. Teachers and students felt that the amplification technology enhanced the learning process. Themes that emerged included improved signal to noise ratio in the classroom, enhanced learning, inclusion of students with special needs, more efficacious communication, and learning to use the technology. Acoustic measures showed that students were often working in below standard classroom listening conditions and hearing screenings revealed a prevalence of hearing problems between 12%-29%. (Conclusions) Amplification technology can be beneficial in elementary classrooms. [New Brunswick Department of Education funded this pilot research project.] (As Provided).
Erfasst von	ERIC (Education Resources Information Center), Washington, DC
Update	2017/4/10