3 ways the Roger MultiTalker Network makes a classroom more inclusive

In today’s world, the classroom is a place of inclusivity, where every child is given an opportunity to learn, regardless of their abilities. Learn how Roger™ technology can help ensure all your students are given a supportive learning environment.

One of the major challenges faced by educators today is creating classrooms that ensure every child is heard and understood. This is where technology like the Roger MultiTalker Network (MTN) comes into play.

What is the Roger MTN?

The Roger MTN is a revolutionary technology that allows up to 35 wireless microphones to be connected within the network. This is unique to Roger.

Competitor technologies support only two microphones in their ‘networks’ and both mics are either always ON or OFF. This means that when they are ON, the speaker’s voice might be picked up well, but so too is any background noise in the classroom from the other mic. Thiscan make it difficult to hear the speaker above the noise.

With Roger’s voice activity detection (VAD) technology, only the microphone being spoken into is active.  All other mics are muted, and so, the background noise around the classroom is muted, making it easier for students to hear and understand what is being said.

Three ways Roger MTN creates an inclusive learning environment

  1. Students can clearly hear more than one teacher
    One of the main benefits of the Roger MTN in the classroom is especially for co-teaching or when a teaching assistant is present. In these situations, both the teacher and the assistant need to be heard. Within an MTN, both can wear a Roger Touchscreen microphone, and neither’s speech will be overshadowing the others.
  2. Students can fully participate in classroom discussions
    Similarly, a child wearing hearing instruments for their hearing loss also needs to hear the questions and answers of their peers in the classroom. The Roger for Education portfolio includes Pass-around microphones which seamlessly connect into the MTN.

    When a peer speaks from across the classroom, voice activity detection will activate the nearest Pass-around mic, muting all other mics, to transmit the voice to the hearing instruments.  This makes it possible for everyone in the classroom to be heard, no matter the distance from the listener, in turn making it easier for the student to understand and learn.
  3. Students can clearly hear when multimedia used
    In addition, the Roger MTN is especially useful when multimedia, such as audio-visual equipment,is being used in the classroom. The multimedia hub can be easily connected within the MTN, transmitting the audio content directly and clearly to the hearing instruments of the student with hearing loss.

Technology options for better outcomes

For children with hearing loss and hearing instruments, the Roger MTN allows them to connect directly to the microphones in the MultiTalker Network via the Touchscreen mic transmitter and the receiver, either built into their Phonak hearing instrument or via a receiver boot attached to competitor devices. This means that they can hear clearly and participate fully in classroom activities. At minimum, this will afford the child with hearing loss access to their teacher’s voice.

As mentioned above, one step further would be to invest in a few Passaround mics around the classroom, to allow for full participation in group discussions.

To reap the full benefits of Roger technology in the classroom, the gold standard is to include the DigiMaster Soundfield loudspeaker in addition to the microphones. The use of soundfield technology in the classroom is a game changer for the following reasons:

Firstly, it provides an audio feedback loop for the teacher and students, meaning that everyone in the classroom can hear themselves talking into the microphones, to know whether their voice is being picked up accurately. This is important because it ensures that every child’s voice is heard, and no one is left out.

Secondly, it is a great help with class management, as all children can hear when the teacher is calling for their attention through the loudspeaker. This means that there is less disruption in the classroom, and the teacher can focus on teaching rather than constantly trying to get the attention of the students.

Finally, soundfield technology like the Roger DigiMaster loudspeaker helps improve concentration, attention1, and academic performance2 for all children, whether they are hearing well or hearing impaired. When children can hear well, they are more likely to understand and learn, which can lead to better academic outcomes.

While the upfront costs of adding extra microphones and soundfield loudspeaker might seem like a large initial investment, it is important to consider the long-term benefits for each and every student. When children are hearing well while being educated, they are more likely to achieve their age-appropriate milestones, affording them the opportunity to participate fully in society as they mature into young adults.

As educators, parents, and clinicians, it is our responsibility to provide children with the best start. To learn more about Roger technologies for the classroom, we invite you to visit our website.

References:

  1. Langlan, L.A., Ravichandran, S., Caissie, R., Kreisman, B.M. (2009). The benefit of soundfield amplification in First Nations elementary school children in Nova Scotia, Canada. The Australian and New Zealand Journal of Audiology, 31(2), 55–71.
  2. Cornwell, S. & Evans, C.J. (2001). The effects of soundfield amplification on attending behaviours. Journal of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology, 25(3), 135–144.