On the second day of LAVNCH WEEK 12, rAVe’s virtual event series that aims to educate the AV industry on current products, events and issues, the team focused on education technology, or EdTech. Before I continue, here is the link to watch the full day’s content on demand.

Steph Beckett and Gary Kayye kicked the day off by discussing AV’s growing role in education, which led to the keynote, delivered by Gary himself!

Learning Spaces for the Always-On Generation

Kayye’s keynote centered around the importance of catering to Generations Z and Alpha and accommodating their unique learning experiences with technology. Kayye shared advice for redesigning classrooms to make learning more immersive — he even gave us a live tour of two classrooms at UNC’s School of Journalism and Media that he helped design!

Kayye encouraged adopting AV-over-IP, recording classes and using programs such as DisplayNote Broadcast to better connect with students and take learning to the next level.

“I think it’s a good time to be reengineering the classroom and considering the future of education very carefully,” he said.

From Classroom to Conference Room: Real-Time Audio That Works Anywhere

In our next session of the day, Audio-Technica’s Mark Donovan showcased the company’s solutions for all spaces from conference rooms to classrooms in this fireside chat with Gary Kayye.

Donovan demonstrated the consistency of audio quality in each space of the room made possible by the Audio-Technica ATND 1061 ceiling array system. The main advantage is that it is worry-free and hands-free for instructors. The one microphone works within a 16-foot radius, which is sufficient for the size of standard classrooms or meeting rooms, but connecting multiple microphones to work together is what Donovan calls an easy process, “Simple is the key,” he said.

To find out more about these audio solutions, visit https://www.audio-technica.com/en-us/.

The Hybrid Campus: What’s Working, What’s Next

Next up, Beckett introduced a panel with: Kelvin Thompson from the University of Louisville, Jimmie Singleton from AVI-SPL, Andrew Dorman from Diversified, and Lisle Waldron from the University of Trinidad and Tobago. The group discussed hybrid learning in today’s world— how it has been adopted and evolved following its sudden introduction during the pandemic.

“We’re no longer just streaming classes, it’s more of an extension of the classroom environment itself, ” said Dorman.

The group talked about the link between the technology and the people that use it.

“If we don’t have that conversation about pedagogy and about how the teaching actually changes, then nobody’s going to adopt it,” Singleton said.

With closing remarks about a possible full transition to online learning, all of the panelists agreed that it is unlikely. “I truly believe there is some kind of energy that connects us all together, and that just cannot transcend the barrier, the medium of technology. I think just speaking evolutionarily, as a species, we do want to be around others,” Dorman said.

Inside Computer Comforts’ Next-Gen EVOLVE and VIBE Designs

Another product session! Beckett welcomed Frank Kolavo from Computer Comforts to discuss the impact of good furniture in the classroom. Kolavo walked us through two lines of furniture: EVOLVE and VIBE. He said both are designed to better accommodate learning spaces for AV technology.

Kolavo shared exciting new features that are customizable and upgrades made in response to user requests. Ultra-quiet cooling fans, doors with space for filters, and combination locks on Computer Comfort’s new lectern products allow for AV device protection and storage in the classroom.

Tech Managers Unite: Real-World Perspectives on EdTech

For this last and largest panel of the day, Beckett chatted with EdTech experts in the real world — Jordan Scales from Crestron, Ryan Budvitis from Shure, John Pfeffer from the University of Buffalo, Michael Peveler from AtlasIED, Greg Koerner from Michigan State University and Craig Underwood from Moravian University.

Here are three main takeaways from their session:

• As EdTech evolves and changes, a crucial aspect of integrating it into classrooms is to provide prompt and efficient support, while also building trust with educators and students to promptly address any issues that may hinder learning.
• Simplicity is key: Providing simple-use hardware and software in classrooms prevents any roadblock technological issues for learners and professors.
• A good relationship and communication between manufacturers and campus AV staff is vital for success as the industry grows and changes.

The guests on EdTech day left some great advice and insight on how education integrates and continues to grow with AV and the expected future of learning. Looking ahead, on day three of LAVNCH WEEK 12, panelists will discuss ProAV’s growing role in several settings.

Each day of the LAVNCH week 12 was worth 3.0 CTS, CTS-I, or CTS-D RU credits, but the credits can only be earned live. To view missed content, watch the full event here!