Lightspeed Classroom
Amplification System
By Heather Brewer
Hope Academy Canton
1379 Garfield Ave SW
Canton, Oh 44706
330-454-3128
Description
Lightspeed is the leader in Classroom Amplification Technology.
It is designed to improve the listening and learning environment for every child. These systems are specifically designed for the classroom, with the teacher in mind. The systems are easy to use and proven to increase overall student achievement—without changing curriculum. The technology provides an even sound distribution in the learning environment. This is important because studies have demonstrated that children should be approximately six feet of the teacher in order to receive maximum speech intelligibility.
Highlights
• Can be used to team
teach, and the voices
will not get crossed
over each other.
• The microphone is
lightweight and
durable.
• Can be used by the
students to enhance
voice during oral
reading or
presentations.
• System will not pick up
your voice once you
have left your
classroom.
• Can be hooked up to
your television,
computer, PA system,
or radio to amplify the
sound.
Purpose
• The purpose of Lightspeed
technology is to positively effect the
learning environment in the
classroom by amplifying the teachers
voice. Because children under the
age of 15 do not have a fully
developed auditory network system
in their brains, they need a louder
auditory signal in order to learn.
Research has shown
• When using an amplification system in the classroom:
DIBELS scores scored an average of 35% higher
DRA Scores averaged 21% higher
Teacher Redirection involving student behavior were reduced by 72%
Off-Task Behavior decreased by 43%
Reading Fluency in 4th and 5th grades increased by 35%
Key Factor
The biggest positive that leads to all other positive outcomes is that by improving the signal-to-noise ratio, sound systems promote an auditory focus. A key issue for children is their focus. What a sound system does, by improving the signal to noise ratio, is create an auditory focus which is critical to learning.
Personal Qualifications
• 2004 graduate of Youngstown State
University. Major in Early Childhood
Education.
• Presently attending University of
Akron for Instructional Technology.
• Currently working as the Techno-
Achievement Supervisor at Hope
Academy in Canton. My duties
include: Scantron testing, report
cards, OAT duties, and facilitating in
the computer lab.
Qualifications Continued
• During substitute teaching I was able
to use the amplification system in
several of the schools I taught in.
There was a difference in behavior
when I used the system vs. when the
school did not use the system. At
the time I did not know about any
research done on the systems, and
did not know that in all new buildings
amplification systems are now
required in the state of Ohio.
Qualifications Continued
• The Lightspeed company will
supply two Redcat amplification
systems to the school for a free
90 day trial period. During this
time, teachers will be able to
use the systems in their room to
see how the product works.
Why do we need
Lightspeed?
• The main reason we need an amplification system
in our school is that we are currently in academic
watch. Since we have currently updated most of
our curriculum, the next step is to make sure it can
be delivered to the students in the best way
possible. Since the brains auditory network is not
fully developed until about the age of 15, children
require a quieter environment, and louder auditory
signal in order to learn. This is what the
amplification system is designed to do.
Anticipated Results
From using the Lightspeed
Amplification System in the
classroom, we are looking to see:
• off task behavior decrease thus
increasing learning time,
• A reduction in teacher redirection,
• DRA and DIBELS scores increase,
• An increase in reading fluency and
• Increased OAT scores.
Evaluation of Project
• The amplification systems will
be evaluated in several areas:
• Behavior in the classroom
• Number of teacher redirections
• Test scores
• Improvement in Reading Fluency
Evaluation Continued
• To evaluate the systems, we will
need to compare the data from this
year (without use of Lightspeed) to
how it changes over the course of
next year using the Lightspeed
system. We will use the data to see
if using the system has a positive
change in the learning environment.
Implementation
Timeline
August 2009-June 2010
• August 2009-Train teachers on how to use Lightspeed,
and provide them with the research that has been done on
why Lightspeed should be used in the classroom.
• September- Implement the use of Lightspeed into the
classroom. Chart behavior in the classroom, and teacher
redirections. Administer the Fall Scantron testing and AR
Star reading test.
• October-teachers meet to discuss observations made in
student behavior. Reflect on how using the equipment
compares to the previous year without the technology.
• February-Administer the Winter Scantron test and AR Star
reading test. Compare the growth made from fall to
winter with last years results. Compare behavior charts
with the beginning of the year.
Implementation
Timeline
August 2009-June 2010
• April-Administer OAT tests(results will come in the
summer)
• May-Administer the Spring Scantron tests, and AR
Star reading test. Compare the growth in both
areas to the growth made the previous year.
Teachers will meet to compare data, and discuss
findings.
• Summer 2010- OAT results come in. Look for
improvements made, compare scores to the
previous year. Discuss how Lightspeed effected the
results of the testing.
Expenses
• The Redcat Lightspeed amplification system costs
$898 per system.
• We will use them in 4 of our classrooms this year for
a total of $3592. We will be using them in both the
3rd
and 4th
grade classrooms.
• The initial training is provided by a Lightspeed
technician at no cost!
• Grand total: $3592
Conclusion
• I believe this amplification system should be supported by
the Foundation because is has been researched and
proven to find positive outcomes in the learning
environment. Being that we are an older school building,
we need to keep up with the newer ones being built in our
area. The state of Ohio now mandates that all new school
buildings come equipped with amplification systems.
These systems are beneficial for all students that are:
under age 15, struggling academically, sit in the back of
the class where they miss 30% of what the teacher says,
have a soft spoken teacher, are English Language
Learners, have a noisy classroom environment, or are in a
class with team teachers. This system will promote
positive outcomes in our school, and I feel it will help us
get our students where they need to be academically.
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