The Hastings and Prince Edward Learning Foundation, along with the Hastings and Prince Edward District School Board, have launched their “Have You Heard?” fundraiser campaign to raise enough funds to equip the region’s classrooms with new soundfield systems.
The campaign has a goal to raise $550,000 which would allow for the purchase and installation of 255 systems, to equip all classrooms from junior kindergarten to Grade 3. Each of the new systems will cost $2,200, and having them in all classrooms is expected to help 5000 students each year.
The Soundfield system is designed to filter out feedback and harsh noises, along with evenly distributing sound through the classroom, in order to make the speaker’s voice clearer and easier to hear. Photo: Alan-Michael Steele, Quinte News
Soundfield is a specialty audio system that allows teachers to make themselves heard clearly through the entire classroom without raising their voice. In classrooms where a teacher has to use just their voice to compete with rumbling air conditioners, outdoor sounds, and other background noise, students can miss an average of 25% of what teachers say. Students with hearing difficulties, or who are seated further from the teacher are even more affected.
The round microphones on the right are attached to a lanyard, and are designed for a teacher to wear when giving lessons. The stick microphones on the left are to be used by students when speaking, allowing them to be heard throughout the room as well. Photo: Alan-Michael Steele, Quinte News
Katherine MacIver, director of education for the Hastings and Prince Edward District School Board, said that teachers using the system report much higher focus and engagement with their students.
“It really reaches every student, no matter where they are in the classroom,” said MacIver. “It makes learning more accessible, more clear, and it really helps students to be as successful as they possibly can be.”
Those looking to contribute to the Have You Heard campaign, can do so at the fundraiser’s website here.
