The EdTech Roundup
Connect:
  • Home
  • Reviews
  • Editorials & Press
  • Ed Tech Sites
  • Lesson Plans
    • Elementary
    • Secondary
  • Former Weekly Podcast
  • About Me
  • Contact

Lightspeed Amplifies 2,500 Classrooms at North East ISD

1/18/2017

0 Comments

 
The Texas district chooses Topcats, Redcat Access, and Flexmikes to ‘make the connection between the teacher’s voice and the learner’s mind’  
Picture
(TUALATIN, Oregon) – January 17, 2017 – Lightspeed Technologies, the trusted provider of classroom audio systems, today announced that the large-scale classroom implementation with North East Independent School District (NEISD) in San Antonio, TX, is nearing completion of approximately 2,500 systems installed in classrooms throughout the district.

As part of the ongoing rollout, NEISD, which serves approximately 65,000 students, has installed Topcat ceiling-mounted all-in-one systems, Redcat Access portable speakers, and Flexmike microphones for teacher and student use.
 
“It has been a privilege to be a partner in NEISD’s innovative and straightforward approach to leveraging instructional technology,” said David Solomon, the executive vice president and general manager of Lightspeed Technologies. “The NEISD Technology Services team has been a model example of how to manage installation, implementation, and teacher participation. It is gratifying to see so many teachers embrace our solutions quickly and experience immediate benefits in the classroom.”
 
According to James Hoyer, an Assistant Director of Instructional Technology at NEISD, the district chose Lightspeed because of the instant impact to all learners in the classroom. Hoyer recalls being on a campus walk midway through the initiative, “As I opened the classroom door, the teacher was getting her next class settled at the beginning of the next period,” he said. “I could literally see the physical energy she used to raise her ‘teacher voice’ above the commotion of 27 students in transition.” He particularly recalled thinking, “Oh my goodness, we’ve got to get this teacher a Lightspeed system.”
 
To manage such a large rollout, Hoyer started by doing campus walkthroughs with administrators from each campus to determine eligible instructional settings for Lightspeed installation. He and a team of 22 instructional technology specialists then worked to verify and ensure all appropriate classrooms were accounted for and identified for installation of the new systems.
 
When it came to training teachers, Hoyer said the simplicity of the product allowed the district to offer simple advice on using the wearable Flexmike: “You plug it in, turn it on, and it works. Strap the mic around your neck and go do what you do. Now every student will hear your voice as if you were having a personal conversation with each of them directly!”
 
The district is encouraging all teachers to use their Lightspeed systems. Throughout the year, random Mondays are deemed “Mike-Up Mondays,” where district specialists and campus leadership are making special note to encourage all teachers to use the systems and provide assistance when needed to ensure the system is functioning properly. District employees also use the Lightspeed systems themselves when they gather teachers for PD events.
 
Hoyer, who has been in district-level educational technology for 17 years, concluded, “I have been involved in a number of technology initiatives, and none has been as easy to implement or as functionally reliable as Lightspeed amplification systems. It’s some of the best instructional technology money we have spent during my tenure.”
 
About Lightspeed Technologies
​

Established in 1990, Lightspeed Technologies is the trusted provider in classroom audio solutions. Our passion is to improve the listening and learning environment for every child. We believe strengthening the connection between teachers and students is at the heart of learning.
 
Lightspeed classroom audio systems allow teachers to speak in normal conversational tones while being assured that every child has an equal opportunity to hear all of the instruction. The no-installation, easy-to-use Redcat provides clear, low-volume, highly intelligible sound that is evenly distributed throughout the classroom so every child hears every word. The company’s audio system for small group instruction, Flexcat, gives teachers the ability to gain insights into small group interactions and learning. The Topcat has become the premier solution for new construction and renovations due to its ease of installation, wireless connectivity, and remarkable audio quality. For more information about Lightspeed classroom audio products, visit Lightspeed-tek.com.

0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Editorials

    Here you can find the Round Up's collection of editorial pieces and press releases where we will discuss the latest trends and ideas in educational technology


    Picture

    Featured

    Picture
    Check out our featured review | ClassroomAPP: A Complete, K-12 Digital Platform for Online and In-Person Classrooms

    Teach.com

    Connect


    Awards

    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture

    Archives

    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013

           
​Except where noted, content on this site is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License
Picture

Copyright 2020 | Mike Karlin, Ph.D.