Hardware

Students Speak: The Power of Noise-Canceling Headphones and Smart Whiteboards

We asked students in higher education to name the one tool they would appreciate most from their administration. Here’s what they said.

EdTech Staff

Students are the lifeblood of higher education. All of the energy that faculty, staff and administrators devote to their universities is directed toward improving the student experience, student outcomes and lifelong student success. Without students, there would be no universities, no IT departments and no technology decisions to be made. Engaged student bodies bring campuses to life and invigorate classroom discussion, whether that’s done in a lecture hall or through a computer screen.

It is in that spirit that EdTech launches Students Speak, a short series that seeks to connect with the young people at the heart of higher education. When we last turned to students for their perspective, we created the Remote Learning Diaries, a series of student dispatches from the early days of the pandemic about their experiences in the new remote learning world.

Now that remote, hybrid and HyFlex learning are the norm, and at a time when institutions are increasingly fighting to maintain their enrollments, we’ve sought input from students at colleges and universities across the country. We asked a simple question that could help inform the path forward for decision-makers at those institutions and others: If your university were to provide you with one piece of technology, what would you choose?

Get some of their answers in this second article in series of stories coming to EdTech through the end of this month. (View the first story here.)

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Nicole Lee | Rutgers University

If your college campus or residence is based in an urban environment, high levels of noise are probably familiar. Blaring train horns, traffic, bustling restaurants, outdoor entertainment and construction are a few sources of sound typical in urban environments. To some, the ambient sounds of this environment are a pleasant comfort. To others, they are an annoyance, to say the least.

However, high noise levels are not limited to campuses located in cities. College institutions are very active and lively, with various activities and events constantly occurring throughout the campus. If you’re someone who enjoys quiet in a busy environment, especially while studying, noise-canceling headphones are an absolute necessity.

Noise-canceling headphone — devices rising in popularity, especially in recent years — are preferred among college students for their ability to produce audio while blocking background noise. This is especially useful to college students who enjoy listening to music while studying. The Sony WH-1000XM series and Apple AirPods Max are popular among college students because their aesthetics and technology go beyond that of competitors.

The benefits of noise-canceling devices include:

improved concentration
decreased stress
transparency mode for when you need to hear surrounding sounds

REVIEW: See how Apple AirPods Max headphones bring clarity to remote learning.

Noise cancelation also protects your ears from noise pollution, which is defined as any sound that reaches harmful noise levels. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, prolonged exposure to a noise level of 70 decibels and above may damage your hearing. Above 120dB, immediate damage can be inflicted. For reference, the CDC defines a normal conversation to be about 60dB.

In addition to hearing loss, prolonged noise pollution exposure can lead to:

decreased sleep quality and quantity
increased stress
hypertension
reduced learning and productivity
endocrine disruption
heart disease
permanent hearing loss and tinnitus

However, using noise-canceling technology can significantly decrease exposure to noise pollution and resulting health disparities.

Noise-canceling headphones are beneficial devices for college students, allowing students to increase productivity and concentration while avoiding the underlying health effects of exposure to noise.

Colin Duffy | Kent State University

As technology continues to advance at an incredible rate, it is essential that universities provide the latest and greatest educational tools to ensure their students are ready to enter the rapidly changing workforce. Smart whiteboards are one example of such technology.

Smart whiteboards are interactive displays that allow students to draw, write and present information digitally. These whiteboards are equipped with touch-screen capabilities and high speed internet, and they enable students to save and share their work online. Students can collaborate by sharing ideas and strategies to solve complex problems in an open, interactive manner.

The computer science department at my university needs renovations, including new classrooms and technology. Smart whiteboards will provide students with an improved learning experience and create opportunities for students with disabilities to take part in lectures and group projects. They also are a cost-effective option for a tech refresh.

MORE ON EDTECH: This Samsung whiteboard enhances classroom collaboration.

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