1. POSSIBLE MISSION: ASSIGNMENT A simple plan for reaching others.
For Your eyes only
Staff enter the library with the song Happy playing over the system and this slide on the board as a hook.

2. Load PowToons sound video using hyperlink.

3. Do you want to use technology that is simple for
you to use and engages your students?
Searching for ways to spend more time teaching
and less time managing behavior?
Looking for a way to enhance your classroom environment and improve student performance?
Switch back to PowerPoint and use questions to spark interest and curiosity in the group
Do you want more energy at the end of the day?

4. Today’s Mission?
How to use your audio system to improve instruction with enhanced sound.
Target of the presentation.
Ultimate Goal: Allow every student a seat in the front row!

5. Parts of the System Speakers (x4)
IR-Satellite Infrared Dome Sensor/Receiver
Audio Enhancement system has 5 parts
Amplifier
Teacher
Teardrop
Microphone
Handheld Student Microphone

6. How Does it Work?
The Audio Enhancement Classroom Systems typically consists of four speakers, ideally mounted in the ceiling, and evenly distributed around the classroom. The system also includes an Infrared sensor, which is connected to a receiver/amplifier. The receiver/amplifier is responsible to both power the infrared sensor, as well as the speakers.
The teacher wears a pendant style microphone around their neck, ideally placed between four and six inches from their mouth. The teachers microphone broadcasts an infrared signal to the dome sensor, which is then sent to the receiver, and then turned into a audio signal which is amplified through the speakers.
One of the key aspects of the Audio Enhancement Classroom Systems is the fact that they are infrared systems. What this means, is that the transmission from the teacher and student microphones to the dome sensor is a light-based signal. This signal is room contained, it cannot leave the classroom. This allows the systems to be used as a universal design element in every classroom. Additionally, the infrared technology allows the microphones to be interchangeable between classrooms. And Yes, the lanyard has a “break-away” option for safety purposes.

7. Benefits for… TEACHERS STUDENTS
Easy to use and teacher friendly
Less vocal strain and fatigue
Don’t have to repeat instructions
Teacher can speak in nurturing tones
Teacher can be heard over disturbances
Spend more time teaching and less time on management of students
Improved Student Performance
TEACHERS
Students are more engaged in the learning process
One-on-one instruction, no matter where you are in the classroom
Students can hear the teacher better
Improved Spelling Performance
Students are more attentive – less disruptive
Teachers don’t sound like they are yelling to be heard
STUDENTS
There are many benefits of the Audio Enhancement Classroom Systems. These benefits vary according the different positions in the school. Administrators will notice the decrease in the number of days that teachers are absent, Teachers will notice that they are not as physically tired at the end of the day, and that their voices are not as spent and sore. Perhaps the most important and profound benefit however is what the students are saying. ‘I Can Hear the Teacher Better’ – think about the profound nature of that statement. Everything that goes on in the classroom involves the teacher talking to the student – if they hear the teacher better, think about the impact that will have on their performance. There is any way to summarize the benefits of the Audio Enhancement Classroom System better than –’ I Can Hear the Teacher Better’!

8. Teacher Teardrop Microphone
Remote Volume Control
OWN, OTHER, LINE – Indicates which source will be controlled by the Up/Down remote volume controls
Up/Down Remote Volume Controls
CHG – Battery Charging Status Indicator
BATT – Battery and Power Status Indicator (Green when on and fully charged)
The Teacher Teardrop Microphone is by far the most advanced microphone available on the market today. There are many features, but I would like to spend a moment and highlight a couple of the key things that truly make this a great teaching tool. First – the teacher has the ability control the volume level of the system from the microphone. When the school is using the Ultimate IISE Classroom System and the Portable systems, the teacher has the ability to control their own volume level, the level of the student pass around microphone and the level of the multi-media that is being played through the system. This can be a big advantage for the teacher because it means that she does not have to spend valuable instruction time walking over to the amplifier and adjusting volume levels. Additionally, when the students are using the handheld microphone, it allows the teacher to accommodate different students. For example, if you have a quiet soft spoken student, who really likes to participate but typically cannot be heard by the rest of the class – the teacher can discreetly adjust the level of the microphone higher for that student, without calling attention to that student. This has the effect of helping to boost the confidence level of that student.
If the school is using the Ultimate Classroom System, they have the ability to control their own level and the student microphone level.
If the school is using the Single Channel System, they don’t have remote volume control capabilities.
The 2nd feature on the microphone that is truly unique is the ‘Function’ button. This is the button that can be tied into the SAFE system, and provides the ability, when fully implemented, for the teacher to call for help when an emergency situation arises.
Lastly – I want to discuss the battery charging system in this microphone. This system allows the teacher to simply plug their microphone in at night, and not have to worry about anything else. The first thing the micro processor controlled battery charging system does is automatically turn the microphone off. With other systems on the market, the teacher has to remember to turn their microphone off at night, or it will fail to charge. But with the Microphone, once the teacher connects the microphone to the charger, it automatically senses that, turns off, and places the microphone into he charge mode. The next thing that the micro-processor does is to test the battery. It applies a voltage to the battery, and then takes a reading. It does this 8 times per second for the first 45 seconds of the charge cycle. The micro processor knows what readings it should see from a Nickel Metal Hydride battery. If the readings it senses are not within these parameters, then it puts the microphone into a charge error mode, and will not attempt to charge the battery. What this means is that is not necessary to purchase a proprietary battery. Any good quality AA sized - Nickel Metal Hydride battery can be used in this system. The school can use a purchasing contract at the district level or state level to purchase the batteries in bulk, and therefore reduce the total cost of operation of this system.
Additionally, the Micro-processor carefully manages both the charge and dis-charge cycles of the battery. It will prevent the battery from being over charged , and also from being over discharged. One of the key properties of the Nickel Metal Hydride batteries is that they prefer to be shallow charged. These batteries will provide approximately 80% of their energy between 1.2 Volts and 1.0 Volts, and after that, their discharge curve drops off sharply. By carefully controlling the amount we allow the teacher to discharge the battery, the life of the battery can be greatly extended – also lowering the total cost of ownership of the system.
The microphones should be attached to the charger at the end of each school day – the microprocessor monitors the battery carefully and will not over charge the battery – even if they have only used the microphone for half of a day, the charger will only charge the battery up to its optimum point.
SELECT – Selects which source (OWN, OTHER, or LINE) will be controlled by the Up/Down remote volume controls
Special Function Control
PWR – Power On/Off and Mute Control

9. Teacher Teardrop Microphone
Auto turn off after 5 minutes on mute!
CHARGE EVERY NIGHT!
PWR/MUTE – Press and hold for 1 second to turn on. Momentarily press to Mute/Un-Mute. Microphone automatically turns off after being muted for 5 minutes. Press PWR to turn back on.

10. Teacher Teardrop Microphone
Left side
Rear
Right side
Channel selector & Function selector switch
Auxiliary line level input. MP3, computer, etc.
Show headset microphone. Explain that district will provide batteries. Don’t charge “AA”!
Show 3.5 mm plug in for computer, etc
Microphone input for lavaliere or headset style microphone
Single “AA” battery NiMH or Alkaline
Battery charger connection

11. Charging – No need to turn the microphone off!
Teacher Teardrop Microphone
CHARGE EVERY NIGHT!
Auto charge detect
Charging – No need to turn the microphone off!
Just plug in the charger and it will automatically turn off the microphone and start the charging process.

12. Teacher Teardrop Microphone
Auto turn off to protect and extend battery life
Life is good!
Yellow means – I better start looking for a new battery or a charge
I don’t feel so well
Red means - STOP, Goodbye, Over and Out Elvis has left the building!
Ya killed me!
I’m a goner!
Life is good!
See how the colors change on the “Batt” based on the charging/power in the microphone
Battery Status Indicator
Green means GO!

13. Teacher Teardrop Microphone
Auto defaults to OWN on power up
SELECT – Press to select OWN, OTHER, or LINE input for remote volume control. Selection remains active as long as mic is on. It defaults back to OWN upon power up.

14. Handheld Student Pass-around Microphone
BATT – Battery and Power Status Indicator (Green when on and fully charged)
Anti-Roll Design
Auxiliary Line Level Input Connector wirelessly transmit audio
CHG – Battery Charging Status Indicator
New Push-to-Talk Functionality
The Student Pass Around microphone from Audio Enhancement is one of the most powerful tools available to the teacher. Many teachers have used this tool as classroom management tool – sometimes like a ‘talking stick’. If a student has the microphone, they are allowed to talk, if they don’t, they should be listening. Additionally, there are countless stories of quiet, shy, soft spoken students, coming out of their shells simply because they want to use the microphone. We sometimes refer to this as the ‘American Idol’ effect.
The Student pass around microphone has two modes of operation. The first is the Push To Talk mode. When using the microphone, the speaker simply presses the upper button when they want to talk, and then it automatically releases when they set the microphone down. The advantage of this is that multiple handheld microphones can be available for use in the classroom. They are all using the same frequency, but they are turned on and off only as they are being used. The second mode of operation is the constant on position, this is done by sliding the lower switch up – which latches the power button in the on position. This mode is used when a speaker is going to be talking for a length of time, and doesn’t want to continuously hold the button down.
The handheld microphone also has the same microprocessor controlled charging system as the teacher microphone, and also only uses a single AA Nickel Metal Hydride battery.
Battery Displacement Protection
Power On/Off switch
CHARGE EVERY NIGHT!
Charging Port - Intelligent Battery Management System

15. Handheld Student Microphone
PTT and Constant Talk switch
Momentary Push-To-Talk (PTT)
Slide On/Off switch for Constant Talk

16. Handheld Student Microphone
PTT and Constant Talk switch
Charging Indicator
Red Flashing – Charging
Red Constant – Charged
Red Fast Flash - Error
Battery Status LED
Green- Good “GO”
Yellow – “Low”
Red – “Stop”/Recharge

17. Handheld Student Microphone
External Audio Input
Stereo 3.5mm
MP3/iPod
Computer/Laptop
Boom box

18. Charging – No need to turn the microphone off!
Handheld Student Microphone
Charging – No need to turn the microphone off!
CHARGE EVERY NIGHT!
Just plug in the charger and it will automatically turn off the microphone and start the charging process.

19. Tip: Connecting the Charger to the Mics
(Total Cost of Ownership) is MUCH LESS than others because of the intelligent battery charger.

20. Positioning the Teardrop Mic
Slide the Microphone Up on the Lanyard
Position the Microphone within 4” to 6” of your mouth
As close as is comfortable
Jewelry, pins and other items around neck may cause noise by rubbing or bumping the microphone
Teacher’s Tip: put one side of the lanyard under the teeth of the clip to prevent from slipping down.

21. Lets PUMP UP THE Volume In our classrooms
What The Research Says
Link to the Pump up the volume video (4 minutes)

22. Help Is Available!!! Call Helpdesk @ 7129 Email the Helpdesk
Building ITF

23. The Next Few Slides Are System Notes For Adjustments With Our Tech Team

24. What is Audio Enhancement?
Audio Enhancement is the installation of an easy to use infrared wireless microphone system in a learning environment to distribute the teachers natural soothing voice throughout the room, so that every student can hear better, and thus perform better!
Audio Enhancement has far reaching effects including higher test scores, increased retention of information, fewer behavioral issues, decreased teacher absenteeism, and much more!
The goal of the Audio Enhancement Classroom Systems is to evenly distribute the teachers voice throughout the classroom. Research has been done on this concept for more than thirty years. These studies have shown improvements in student performance, including increased test scores, improved retention of the information being taught, and decreases in student behavioral issues. Additionally, because of the teachers being able to use a natural soothing voice, and not having to strain to use their teacher voice, studies have also shown significant decreases in teacher absenteeism.

25. CA-50 Amplifier
Power button: a red light will go on when the power is turned on

26. Setting the Levels
Rule of Thumb: If you can hear yourself clearly back through the system, it is too loud
Use a partner to help get the initial level set in the room
With you wearing the microphone standing on one side of the classroom, have a partner stand across the room from you, facing away, then talk in a normal one-on-one conversation tone and adjust the volume level accordingly.
Switch positions, and listen while your partner talks through the microphone.
Remember: it’s not about loud, it’s about clarity!

27. Channel LED blinks when volume is adjusted
The IR-SATELLITE
LED “Status-at-a-glance” Indicators
Mic Ch#1 – Power
Mic Ch#1 – Power – Mic Ch#2
Left – Center
Left – Center – Right
The Status at a Glance feature helps teachers see if the mics are on.
Channel LED blinks when volume is adjusted

28. Advanced Feedback Blocker
Feedback is the noise created when the microphone picks up sound from a speaker connected to an amplifier and regenerates it back through the amplifier.
Mic Ch#1 LED is amber when the
feedback blocker is activated
The IR-Satellite has a feedback blocker capability built in. You can tell when it’s activated when you see the LEDs on the IR-Satellite turn amber. This means that the feedback blocker is stopping your mic from squealing when you are too close to the speakers.
If this feature has not been turned on and you’d like to utilize this feature, please have your installer change the setting on the IR-Satellite.