F.A.Q.’s
Can you record the students on the Educational Media lab?
Yes, any number of 1-36 students can be recorded at the same time to a digital file for burning to a CD. Individual student recordings can be burned or entire classroom recordings can be burned to a CD.
Can the Educational Media Lab be used for AP testing?
Yes, up to 36 students can be recorded at the same time to digital files and automatically burned to CDs. A classroom of 36 students can be recorded and AP CD’s created for
shipment to AP in less than 1.25 hours, much faster than the teacher could create the CDs one-by-one manually on her computer. Teachers love the EM Lab for AP Language Exams!
What media sources can be used with the Educational Media Lab?
The lab is equipped to send audio to the student headsets from any source: the console
computer, audio files, the Internet, CD/DVD, television, cassette , the teacher’s computer, classroom television, LCD projectors, virtually any media in the classroom can be connected to the lab.
How many students can the Educational Media Lab accommodate?
Standard configurations include headset trays to accommodate 24, 32 or 36 students.
Student stations can be left vacant if not needed. Additional headsets can be added if unusually large classrooms are present with more than 36 students.
Do I have to change my classroom to install an Educational Media Lab?
The Educational Media Lab can be installed in any standard classroom. The system was designed so that the classroom does not have to be dedicated as a lab room. Because the student headsets are stored out of the way near the ceiling, the room can be used for standard instruction when not needed for lab learning. If the lab were to be moved to another room, you would never know a lab had been installed in the classroom.
Do I have to dedicate my classroom to the Lab?
Absolutely not. The headset trays can be raised by pressing a button on the teacher console and are stored suspended close to the classroom ceiling. The classroom can be
used for any other student learning and because the headsets are stored out of the way,
possible damage can be prevented from other classroom visitors.
Do I have to have special ceilings to install the student headset trays?
No, the lab headset trays are suspended from the classroom structure above
the ceiling. The trays weigh approximately 75 lbs and are designed with aircraft-type steel cabling. The headset trays house a 24 volt DC suspension motor equipped with limit switches and over temperature protectors, eliminating shock and fire hazard.
How large of a room do I need for an Educational Media Lab?
The ideal room size for installing a Learning Lab is approximately 20 feet by 30 feet. This ensures student desks and the Lab Instructor Console can be comfortably arranged.
However, smaller classrooms can work for installation, an EM representative can provide you with a classroom layout to get an idea of how the Learning Lab would be configured in your classroom.
Do I have to arrange my desks a certain way in my classroom?
No, student desks can be arranged in any configuration: rows, groups, facing any direction in the classroom. The headsets can accommodate any seating arrangement.
How many labs do I need for my school?
The ideal arrangement is to have one lab for each teacher. Because of the relative low cost in relation to multimedia labs, many schools can equip each classroom with an Educational Media Lab. However, the system can accommodate up to six teachers sharing one lab. Each teacher can also store six seating charts under their name in the system. Because of the low cost, three or four Educational Media Labs can be purchased for less than the price of one multimedia type lab. Schools often discover that the higher priced lab systems are more than what the students really need to achieve successful results.
How long does it take to install a lab?
It usually takes 1-2 days to install a lab.
What are the differences between a traditional both lab and the Educational Media Lab?
A traditional booth lab is equipped with individual booth stations, and is usually used for independent study. It requires a dedicated room where students go for practice once or twice a week. The room is not conducive to teaching since it does not allow for a flexible arrangement of chairs and desks.
The EM Lab is a “teaching” lab because the teacher can easily incorporate a supportive role throughout the class period on a daily basis. Since it takes less than a minute to transform the classroom into a lab room, some teachers use it two or three times in a class period for short periods of time. Individual, paired, and small group work can be enhanced within the lab setting.
Do you make a wireless system?
We choose NOT to make a wireless system for the following reasons: From an operational point of view, it takes three to five minutes to pass out the headphones and another three to five minutes to collect them after use. This is not an effective use of time, especially if the lab is to be used frequently for five to ten minute activities. Teachers tell us it is just not worth the trouble! Interference is often a problem in these classrooms as well.
One of the most effective ways to use the lab is to use it for paired and small group work. To do this with a wireless system, you must also pass out patch cords for the students to plug into each headphone. With the EM lab, pairs and small groups are instantly connected by simply clicking once on “Pairs” or “Groups”.
Replacement cost for an EM headset is about $30 and for a wireless headset in the range of $300, including multiple battery replacements.
Do you make a “high-tech” computer multimedia language lab system?
We feel it is more important for students to have immediate access to a learning lab
system that can be used DAILY rather than waiting for the teacher to receive her “allotted” time in the large multimedia lab down the hall on an occasional basis.
Teachers tell us that nothing is more effective in achieving the necessary speaking skills in the target language than frequent oral practice with fellow students. The EM Learning Lab is designed to maximize student-to-student interaction. Many schools have discovered they can purchase 4 or 5 Educational Media Labs for the price of just one multimedia lab.
What subjects can the Educational Media Lab be used for in the classroom?
The EM lab is designed to be used with your existing curriculum and can be used with any classroom subjects such as reading, math, science, foreign language, ESL, social studies, all subjects. The lab can be used for ANY classroom activity where it is helpful to have students in pairs or groups. Students might work on science experiments in their headset groups and can communicate with their group members without having to talk over the other groups. Students can be instantly paired with neighbors all over the classroom and practice reading out loud or working on classroom assignments together. The EM Lab allows students to work in a more focused atmosphere without interruptions or distractions.