Illinois High School Enhances Instruction through Rich Audio Components
Case Study:
Glenbard West High School
Glen Ellyn IL
Issue
As the full-time Director of Instructional Technology at Glenbard West High School in Illinois, Matt Stacey manages the overall implementation, operation, and instruction of technology. Stacey is responsible for the testing & installation of classroom technology, ranging from computers to audio/visual (A/V) equipment. He also is in charge of the documentation and set-up of technology used at various school events, including assemblies, choir and band concerts, drama performances and sporting events. In addition, he makes himself available to instruct students in the use of the school’s various classroom technologies.
Situated in Glen Ellyn, Illinois, a village west of Chicago, Glenbard West High School serves 2,200 students from a wide variety of socioeconomic backgrounds. At Glenbard, technology is essential for providing students with effective in-class lessons and enhancing student engagement. Educators recognize the importance of incorporating A/V and other multimedia elements into everyday lessons to capture students’ interest and foster 21st century skills.
Looking to enhance audio components of instruction, teachers requested new speakers to better serve their classroom needs. In response, Stacey researched products that not only would fulfill teachers’ needs, but also serve a variety of audio functions throughout the building. While versatility was a primary concern, he also was looking for a reasonably priced product to accommodate the school’s instructional technology budget.
Implementation
After considering various products, Stacey purchased the Califone Presentation Pro™ (PA300+). Stacey noted that it was the “versatility, durability, portability and functionality,” that led him to choose the PresentationPro for use throughout the Illinois high school. The PresentationPro is used to provide Glenbard teachers with high-quality audio amplification from classroom computers, CD players and DVD/VCR players, helping to enhance multimedia lessons and engage students in the curricula.Equipped with aux in and line inputs, the PA is also used to connect with larger classroom tools, such as LCD projectors and whiteboards. The PresentationPro also features line output to connect additional speakers for maximum audio projection, and mic inputs to allow two microphones to operate at the same time.
The PA’s durability makes it ideal for traveling teachers – a big plus for Glenbard. “Due to the structure of our school schedule, our technology needs to be available in every classroom for traveling teachers,” said Stacey. “The PresentationPro meets our primary needs, but also addresses more unique situations, such as this.”
“Most importantly, I like that the Califone PA system is cost-effective for our school,” continued Stacey. “It serves dual purposes, as it meets the needs of our teachers, and provides support for various school functions.”
Results
After having the opportunity to try out the PresentationPro, Glenbard teachers praised its effectiveness in helping to project audio elements, as well as their own voices in class. “Our teachers are always very eager to receive and utilize new technology,” said Stacey. “They understand the importance of integrating technology into the classroom to provide students with a rich curriculum and a positive in-class experience.”
Meeting both classroom and school-wide needs, the PresentationPro provides a unified solution for Glenbard West High School. Stacey explained that Califone’s credibility in the education market also influenced his decision. “The PA system isn’t a consumer-level product; it’s made specifically for the classroom,” replied Stacey. “We’ve purchased Califone products before and knew they would offer a product suitable for our educational needs.”
The PresentationPro is used in all classrooms for a variety of audio needs, including broadcasting sound from computers, A/V equipment, or DVD/VCR players for daily activities or lessons. In addition, the PA system is helpful for projecting teacher’s voices to maintain students’ attention, especially in large classrooms. The PresentationPro is used school-wide to support any A/V use throughout the school building, whether it be assemblies, drama performances, concerts, or sporting events.
Additional Information
Stacey also began implementing the Wireless PA Upgrade Kit (WS-CK1) to use in conjunction with the PresentationPro. The Kit provides Stacey with the equipment necessary to transition the wired PA system to a wireless format, allow speakers to move freely during presentations. He praised the Kit, stating, “It’s excellent in terms of portability. We were using a very large system to provide support for presentations and guest speakers, and with the Wireless PA Upgrade Kit, we can easily transmit sound from the provided wireless microphone using a much smaller system.”
Product Links
PresentationPro™ PA300+
