School applications for headset technologies are skyrocketing, whether for classroom-based language learning or virtual courses taught from the other side of the country, or beyond.

English Language Learners represent the fastest growing segment of the school-age population and now account for nearly 19% of school age children, according to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES). As projections suggest that the ELL population will continue to increase (approximately 20% of the workforce and half of the population under 18 in the next 20 years), school districts are examining how this increase will affect the educational environment in the future.

The Glendale Elementary School District in Glendale, AZ has addressed the issue by launching an English Language Program using award-winning Dyn Ed software. In order to implement the program, GESD needed to purchase headphones that would allow the students to listen and practice their new language skills and chose the 3066AV. Spearheaded by Delfina Rodriguez, the ELL Intervention Program Coordinator for the district, the program required use of headsets that are rugged enough for repeated classroom uses. “Students participating in the specialized ELL curriculum illustrate their progress by listening to an audio recording from the program’s software, repeating the sentence into the microphone, recording the message, and then playing it back to assess their own work.”

The rapid growth of district sponsored distance learning programs also points to the increased use of headsets in school programming. While the reasons for launching the courses are as varied as the districts themselves, almost all reference the need for headsets that are built to help students focus, and in many instances, allow them to practice their oral skills. Some programs are taking advantage of the VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol)  technology offered by Skype.

Posted on May 4th, 2009 and is filed under Articles, Headsets, Press.