Controlling Jackbox Volume
Teaching (younger) students about the importance of listening to headphones at appropriate volume levels helps them learn and establish lifelong listening habits. But if they’re still learning these habits while they’re using a listening center, why do some jackboxes have individual volume controls while others have a single control?
Offering either individual volume controls or a master control for all listeners.
“I use it with a TV/DVD player so the ESL students can watch alphabet videos and watch Scholastic short story videos for English language development“
Just like there are multiple classes of cars with each built for differing purposes, so to with jackboxes. Designed for a group of up to ten students to listen through headphones attached to it (acting as the distribution hub for the audio), jackboxes offer volume controls through either a single master volume control for all listeners, or it can offer individual volume controls, or none. As was described in a previous article covering volume controls on headphones, selecting a jackbox can depend on the typical age of the students within the group or the amount of volume control the teacher wants to retain.
Califone offers two jackboxes with a solitary master volume control (the Sound Alert 1285G and the 1216USB). All other models come with either individual controls or none, so the volume is set instead at the audio source. For monaural based language learning activities, there are two 8-position jackboxes available, one with individual volume controls (1218AVPY) and the 1208AVPY does not have any. Regardless of which style is chosen, using a jackbox creates flexibility for the teacher and opportunities for differentiated learning groups. “I use it with a TV/DVD player so the ESL students can watch alphabet videos and watch Scholastic short story videos for English language development,” shared Marcia Hoke, a K-1 teacher at Schenk Elementary in Stoughton, WI.
There are also two stereo models with individual controls, the 1210AVPS for up to ten people and the 1114AVPS for four people, and comes in a choice of three solid colors.
Click to read an article about when to consider upgrading your jackbox.
