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Cindy Ramirez
EDUC 515
Jason Seliskar
March 21, 2015
Implication of Wireless Microphones in a Classroom Environment
Talking in a classroom is as essential as working out in a gym. In fact, the very purpose
of a classroom is to provide students and teachers with a learning space that facilitates talking,
interacting, and student-engagement. However, as most teachers know, it is not always easy to be
heard in a classroom where lots of interaction and activity is going on. This is when teachers or
even students, find themselves raising their voices just to be heard. In a more negative situation,
teachers may also find themselves raising their voices to regain control of the students and or
address any discipline problems that may arise. Point being, at the end of the day this can cause
any teacher to feel drained, fatigue, and sore of throat. In the long run, such vocal straining can
lead to more dangerous consequences. Though such experiences come with being a teacher, there
are tools now available to help both students and teachers, in this area of communicating and
hearing. One tool specifically is the wireless microphone.
The idea of installing microphones in the classroom originated from a three year
investigation back in 1977, known as the MARRS project (Mainstream Amplification Resource
Room Study) conducted by the U.S. Department of Education. This study was done with the
intent of helping children with mild or minimal fluctuating hearing loss, by installing a wireless
microphone that would amplify a teachers voice.

By providing these microphones, it was

hoped that these students would be able to keep up with the rest of their classmates, as far as
1 http://www.teachlogic.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/classroom_sound.pdf

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hearing and learning was concerned. What was discovered towards the end was that not only
were these groups of students benefited, but in fact ALL students. As the Institute for Enhanced
Classroom Hearing noted, these enhanced rooms showed significant gains in academic
achievement for all students2. What was concluded at the end of this study was that there is a
correlation between a childs ability to hear the teacher and their overall academic success.
According to TechLogic, an organization active in assisting individuals in studying the
benefits of sound amplification in the classroom, it has been estimated that 75% of the school
day is spent on listening activities alone. Thus, if students have difficulty with hearing, it can
greatly reduce their ability to master concepts taught in class, and perform well 3. By amplifying
the teachers voice, not only are outside noises eliminated and drowned out, but students then are
less distracted, content is delivered with greater clarity, students are more attentive and focused,
and directions are less frequently not misunderstood and unheard. In addition, having the
teachers voice amplified all around the classroom can make those sitting in the back of the room
feel as if they were in the very front row. By delivering material with such clarity and volume,
students are more likely to not just hear the teachers voice, but more so understand what is being
taught. Therefore, not only are the regular students benefited, but also English Language
Learners and those with special needs. The same benefits would be true if the students
themselves used the microphones. Not only would it enhance classroom discussions and promote
participation, but it would also help students build greater confidence and public speaking skills.
The implications of having such wireless microphones in the classroom is also
multifaceted for teachers. For one, if using a microphone assures that the teachers voice can be
2 http://www.teachlogic.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/classroom_sound.pdf
3 http://www.teachlogic.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/classroom_benefits.pdf

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carried farther out reaching students all around the room, then the implication is that the
teachers voice can go where the teacher does not necessarily have to. In other words, it enhances
and improves teacher proximity in the classroom. The teacher does not necessarily have to be at
the back or front of the room to remind specific students to stay on task. This of course would
result in maintaining a stronger and well managed classroom conducive of learning, throughout
the day. In addition, using mics would enable teachers to maintain normal voice tones throughout
activities and transitions, and be heard as loudly and clearly as if their voices were raised. This
alone has immediate benefits, such as a reduction in soreness of throat, conservation of physical
energy, and avoidance of possibly vocal damage and straining in the long run 4. In short, using
such voice enhancements can not only protect the teachers voice, but provide greater comfort
when speaking and lecturing.
Although wireless microphones are not available at each school district or grade level,
they can be acquired just as any other teaching resource would be, with permission and funding.
Many school districts are however beginning to see the effectiveness of such a resource and are
beginning to invest in them and make them more available for teachers would see fit in them 5.
Wireless microphones are also not a required technological tool to have, however, the
implications of it still hold true. Classrooms that are conducive of learning include unhindered
communication and verbal interaction. Students who are are able to hear well in class are more
likely to stay focused, learn more, and maintain a much happier and healthier teacher.

4 http://www.point-sourceaudio.com/classroomamplification.html
5 http://www.educationworld.com/a_issues/issues/issues242.shtml