Access in a Classroom

Why the need for access?

With the growth of electronic media and use of the Internet, teachers are routinely using audiovisual media to support the curriculum. This includes downloads from the Internet, television programs and DVDs. 

With the national emphasis on the ‘Digital Education Revolution’, it is paramount that accessibility is seen as a priority for students with sensory impairment. The provision of access to the same learning opportunities as other students needs to be seen as a given.

Current levels of access in education

In Australia levels of access to audiovisual media vary greatly depending on the popularity of the content. Therefore mainstream entertainment programs on TV and DVDs are often the first point of reference for teachers, parents or students wanting to source captioned educational content.

As of  May 2010, 58% of new release rental DVDs were captioned, while only 29% were audio described. However, audio description on specialist education and non-entertainment titles is almost non-existent.

Technology in the classroom

Assistive technologies for Deaf and hearing impaired students include:

• Interactive Whiteboards (IWBs): deliver visual resources in a dynamic and interactive fashion. IWBs are the ideal choice for an accessible classroom environment, as captioned educational content can be viewed easily.
• Soundfield amplification systems: these systems evenly distribute the teacher’s voice via infra-red technology to all corners of the classroom. The teacher wears a microphone and all students benefit from the clarity of the speech signal.
  Laptop computers: provide flexibility for both teachers and students, when accessing captioned audiovisual media.
• FM technology: is a well entrenched access solution in schools, designed to increase the sound level of the teacher’s voice above the classroom background noise. This technology is linked to the student’s hearing aid or cochlear implant and is accessed via the ‘T' switch on the student’s hearing aid. FM devices can also be plugged into computers and other audio devices to provide the student with direct and increased sound quality.
• Cli-iloops: improve the audability of MP3 players and other audio equipment via direct connection to the device. The student is required to activate the ‘T’ switch on their hearing aids to use this device

The abovementioned technologies and the combination of their uses are a core feature of Media Access Australia’s pilot Classroom Access Project.

• Personal Video Recorders (PVRs): with closed captioning support have the capacity to record and store captioned content, and to help build captioned library resources in schools. When purchasing a PVR, it is essential to check whether it has closed captioning playback, as people often assume that all PVR’s have this capability.  Information about PVRs can be found on our equipments and resources page.
• Real time captioning software: has been trialled in a number of educational settings around the world. For information on the recent launch of Ai-Media’s live captioning service, refer to our news item: AI Media announces unique new service for deaf students
  

Further information on hearing aids, cochlear implants, FM technology and Soundfield amplification systems can be found from the Australian Hearing website.