As technology makes its way into classrooms, some teachers are hesitant to incorporate some aspects of it into their curriculum. The debate about headphones in the classroom has grown in recent years, but some teachers are still reluctant to use them. If you are unsure whether or not school headphones are right for your class, here is what you need to know.  

Why Should You Use Headphones?

There are a number of uses for headphones in the classroom, including they are often used for children with autism or auditory processing disorder. Autistic children can have trouble with processing information in noisy situations. For instance, if there are several children in the classroom speaking, wearing the headphones can help to reduce the noise in the room so that a child with autism is able to focus solely on what is being said directly to him or her.  

Headphones are also used to help strengthen a student's understanding of a lesson that has been taught by the teacher. For instance, students routinely review lessons on computers. The headphones allow the students to focus on the lesson being viewed on their individual screens and move at a pace that allows them time to fully understand what is being presented.  

Some students also study better with music playing. During periods throughout the day when students are encouraged to study, they can listen to the music of their choice while doing so and not disturb other students or the teacher. 

Which Headphones Are Best?

The type of headphones you opt to use in your classroom depends on the age of your students. One of the first decisions you must make is whether to use over-the-ear headphones or earbuds. Even though earbuds are popular with young people, they are not as durable as over-the-ear headphones. However, earbuds are sometimes the less expensive option. 

If your students are elementary to middle school age, then lightweight, over-the-ear headphones offer comfort and durability. There are several styles available, including those with bright colors, which make them more attractive and fun for the kids.  

However, if you have older students, you can still opt for over-the-ear headphones, but they might be more comfortable in earbuds. If you do choose earbuds for your class, it is important to note that they fit snugly in the ear, which means that noise does not escape in the same way they do with over-the-ear headphones. As a result, there is a risk of hearing loss associated with them.  

To protect your students' ears, check the sound levels and set the volume. You also should have the students take breaks to allow their ears a break from the noise. 

Share