Media Players Dominate Surveys
Califone announced results from two online surveys addressing the use of multimedia players in schools and libraries. A mainstay for classroom language learning, listening to audio books, story time and differentiated group activities, multimedia players are often called on to perform a number of additional tasks.
“64.3% believe it’s most important for a boombox to be able to project its audio for all students in the class to hear”
Conducted over a three-month period ending in July, the first survey revealed that most teachers and librarians (64.3%) believe it’s most important for a boombox to be able to project its audio for all students in the class to hear (by itself, not connected to a secondary audio amplification system). “Since class sizes, needs, and budgets vary tremendously,” shared the company’s Tim Ridgway, VP Marketing, “Califone offers a variety of models to serve multiple purposes – from the recently upgraded Spirit with enough power (2 Watts) for 40 people, up to the flagship Performer Plus™, whose 14 Watts is loud enough for groups up to 100 people.” Educators often use the 2455AV-02 as a mini public address system to reach students during indoors and outside activities as well as for teaching dance. Julie Rastetter, a drill team instructor from Guttenberg, IA states, “We bought our Performer Plus for its loudness for our high school drill team.”
“14.3% believe it is most important for the boombox to have the ability to play, upload, or download their own MP3 files.”
The other notable finding from the survey showed that 14.3% of the participants believe it is most important for the boombox to have “the ability to play, upload, or download their own MP3 files.” Reflecting the increasing use of (teacher-created) digital audio materials, the rise of MP3 players, or even to multiple units with a USB Hub.
The second poll, held for a three-month period ending August 7th, focused on which type of audio technology is most often used in a classroom. The largest category of respondents (41.0%) said they use a media player with attached headphones (also known as a learning center) for a small group of students to quietly listen to. All Califone multimedia players feature a connection for a jackbox or come with the capability to attach multiple headphones (such as the Performer Plus).
While still strong, the role of media players as the primary driver for learning centers is expected to shift with the increased use of computers as the source for learning centers is expected to continue increasing.
