Revolutionizing Online Learning: How Clint ISD Became a Trailblazer in Educational Technology

Welcome to this episode of communicate Ed. I'm your host, Shelby Skirhock, and my guest today is Mark Jones. Vice President of Sales at San Francisco based front row. Mark welcome. Thank you, Shelby. Glad to be here. So, today, we're discussing how an El Paso area, School District launched its online learning program, but first, you know, for our listeners here. I mean, this is a community, so we want to hear from you. So if you've got a question, be sure to type it there in that type in that chat box and really get your question answered in our interactive q and a at the end of the session. But, Mark, so let's rewind the clock to March twenty nineteen when school districts really had to put their technology plans into overdrive. So, as a technology leader in, you know, with more than fifteen years of classroom AV and communications, experience. I mean, you know where a lot of school districts were at before the pandemic. So before we discuss Clint ISD specifically. Mark, can you share your observations about many school districts preparedness? For a really large scale rollout of online learning technology. Sure. Yeah. While while some districts had implemented, you know, some sort of remote or recorded access to lessons, I think it's safe to say that most districts were in a scramble to accommodate part or all of their students being at home for the first time and for an extended period of time. When the lockdown started, districts everywhere scrambled to get, devices, in the hands of students, if they didn't already have, like, a one to one program in place, if they didn't already have equipment set up for their teachers to give online class within, I'd probably say, six weeks after the initial lockdown. We really went into overdrive in working with schools to put systems in place for them to be able to provide that. It was a a pretty crazy hectic time because a lot of things had to happen very very very quickly. If they didn't already have something set up, there was training that had to be done. Sometimes they had existing technologies, so there was some integration. But both in class and online at the same time, the what we'd call a hybrid class or some schools called rumors and tumors. So you had you had to accommodate the kids who are zooming from home as well as the kids in the class. It what educators, of course, refer to is that synchronous or asynchronous learning, a lot of a lot of schools didn't have anything at all, and we had to move pretty quickly to to help them get that in place. But Clint, as we'll find out, was the head of the ball. Well, yeah. I mean, you know, they were very well suited for that transition from in classroom to online learning. Clint ISD, of course, is near El Paso. So, tell us about the superintendent, Dr. Juan Martinez and how Clint ISD was able to roll out online learning so successfully. Sure. Well, before the pandemic, we've been working with Dr. Martinez in staff to implement a a district wide implementation. It was a combination of both classroom systems as well as as campus wide community occasion. And, of course, at that time, you know, I'd like to say he had a crystal ball. Right? But the the purpose at that time was more to incorporate instructional professional development, as well as some safety aspects, and give the teachers a classroom sound system and AV management system that was easy for them to use, really leading the way in terms of of a technology installation, certainly in that area, but perhaps even all of all of Texas, it was doctor Martin as his vision that we were working with him to to create. We do both tools in the classroom. We we use a system called Easy Room, which is pretty much everything except play in the classroom. It's AB management. It's the idea is to make it easy for the teachers. To to use the system, and that's integrates the instructional system with a campus wide communication system that they wanted with cameras and and emergency alerts. We worked with the district to to customize those systems to meet all the needs that that they had at the time, And in their case, they incorporated three sixty cameras in all of the classrooms. Again, the initial purpose for that was professional development as well as as well as safety. The teachers were able to very quickly accommodate their students with engaging instruction by using the easy rooms that we had in place. They had kids both in class as well as kids using Zoom. And in the end, we ended up integrating more of an instructional camera in the classroom for them to use for those Zoom kids as well. But, yeah, because all of that went in just in time ahead, they were in a really good position to to accommodate what came up. Well, so, clearly, they were ahead of the the curve, because I think right around that March twenty nineteen mark, there was certainly a run on cameras. I mean, you know, everybody was scrambling to get these just to procure this, this essential piece. So, you know, Dr. Martinez is kind of having the foresight to to already have these cameras in place, Let me ask you just some kind of some specifics of that. So, this camera purchase that were three sixty cameras used for professional development and security. Was that done with front row or did Clint ISD, engage you kind of once the pandemic started, you know, to help execute this pivot. Well, they did work with us in terms of of our engineers and designers. We're very hands on as a manufacturer in terms of working directly with schools in in many ways for developing products, but also helping to integrate our solutions with other existing equipment they may have. In this case, with the cameras, we worked very closely with a local integrator. That worked with the district who was a front row reseller, and they were able to incorporate cameras that that were not front row. With the easy rooms in our our network control system. So those three sixty cameras are not a front row product, but we were able to integrate that with our systems and with the end goal, of course, and and our primary focus is to just make the technology invisible to make it very, very easy for for the teachers. When it comes to addressing online learning or just the kids in the class, kids at home, I mean, teachers are already the heroes in this story and pretty much any other story. Right? They're meeting all the kids at their needs, doing constant assessment, you know, facilitating learning and and different learning and methodologies or different learning skills that the kids have. And now half the kids are not even in the class. Right? So the very least we could do is find the best ways that technology doesn't get in the way but it makes their job easier just a little bit and and that's what we did in working with with Clint ISD. Again, with with Clint, they they did have all of this in place and time, which helped a lot on the training side of things. So really, they just needed to add the remote learning piece to that with Zoom. In case most schools use Zoom, but Google Class, that sort of thing all incorporates well with the with the hardware. And just tell us about that classroom product. Sure. Well, easy room, like I said, is is kind of a more of a solutions category For us, it's a system that that all of the components and key components are installed into a ceiling box and goes up into a drop ceiling grid. Sometimes it's bound to the wall if they don't have a drop ceiling. But what goes in that box depends on the needs of the particular school district. In this case, it's it's a wireless microphone receiver, amplifier. They had touch screen controllers from us on the wall, which made that's the primary interface for the teacher. Made it very easy for them to to switch inputs or change volume levels make everything like using their iPhone. Right? Just a simple touch screen where they can and then behind the scenes, the easy room controls all the other devices that make things happen easily. It's also on the network, so that means the school is able to meet classrooms and make announcements, have emergency functionality. The teachers all can launch an emergency, notification from their room, from their microphone, that sort of of key functionality is there. But really, it comes down to what the school wants. An easy room is designed for their specific needs built and tested before shipped to the school, and in the case of of Clint ISD, We worked through some pilots and and other units to make sure that it worked exactly the way that they want it. Key there was, again, doctor Martinez and his staff trying the systems going through that. It's not that much different than we do through product development. We work closely with schools and teachers to make sure that it's best for them. Well, you know, of course, front row does work with school districts across the country. So, is what Clint is doing? Is that an example of something that a lot of other school districts are doing, or was this something different? Well, our perspective is a little unique in that you know, if we're working with them, chances are they're on the forefront of incorporating technology in their classrooms. Certainly, most schools out there, as I said, you know, had looked at remote learning or recording lessons in order to supply them. Across the country, but those without a, you know, a classroom audio system or something that made doing Zoom classes easier We're caught a little more flat footed than most. But we work with schools in in taking what they have and helping them get to where they need to be very closely. But Clint was ahead of the ball again primarily because doctor Martinez had made the decision to put these audio systems and to put the network wide systems throughout every classroom in its district and just in time. As it turns out, in order to be able to provide that kinds of lessons. Since then and it's been a been a long time. Right? It's been over a year for all of us in dealing with this sort of thing. You know, a lot of other schools now understand that this is something that needs to be a part of of every classroom. Right? The teachers are gonna need the ability to to reach students no matter where they are and provide some sort of synchronous and asynchronous instruction. And even though we haven't been able to see people in person, you know, the trade shows and conferences that we've all missed in education, and there are a hundreds of them I've been able to attend more than ever in the last year because they're all online. So in in going to all these educational seminars and listening to what schools are working with or what they're striving to get to. The key pieces now aren't the technology necessarily in being able to do a Zoom class. Right? It's making that as engaging. It's it's addressing that I need to feel a part of the classroom I need to have that kind of social interaction that I would have if I were in the classroom. So it's really again up to the teachers to create lessons and and instruction that is engaging enough to tune us in when we're staring at you know, maybe a twelve inch Chromebook screen. Right? Right. And so that then again, that's where the the the teachers are the heroes, and they're learning to to do that and modify their curriculum in order to engage the students at home. But we hope that good clear audio and some of the other products that we've brought to bear since this started to help teachers do that. And maybe we can talk about those. Have help teachers create more engaging online presentations. Well, and that's the key there is that You know, sure. Technology can make online learning possible, but good technology and quality technology can make the content engaging. And especially, yeah, when you're dealing with, you know, everywhere down to the kindergarteners staring at a little screen, they they need that type of engagement. So, you're right, you know, good audio and being able to to, you know, see those see the whites of the the teacher's eyes, basically. Is is is definitely the key there. So as with Clint ISD. For listeners, what's the takeaway? Well, certainly, moving forward, it's not back to normal. Right? I mean, it's it's moving forward, not back. From now on, there won't be a discussion about classroom instructional technology or teaching methodologies that doesn't include the ability to provide engaging lessons to the students no matter where they are. Front row, you know, has worked again with hundreds of school districts since this started, and we have been doing so for over twenty years. To deploy systems that that meet those particular needs. We fortunately in education have a good piece of the coming ESSR funding that's gonna help schools address those critical needs which includes remote learning. So hopefully, a lot more schools now like Clint can can put in systems that will make it easier for their teachers to to provide, again, lessons both online, recorded, live, simultaneous hybrid classrooms, rumors, consumers, in a way that's that's easier for the teachers. There's nothing worse than installing technology in a classroom and having it go unused because it's just not easy enough for the the training and support isn't there. That that's certainly a waste So that's that's our always our biggest goal is to create the best user interface we can for the teachers. And so that teachers who already have a hard enough job make it a little easier for them to provide that for the kids. And part of what does that is not just the microphone freeing up teacher to be able to go over there and still be heard like I'm speaking into my laptop like I am now. We free that teacher up to to move about the classes they're used to doing. You know, we got away from sage on the stage type teaching, you know, with kids sitting quietly in rows a long time ago. Today's classrooms are crazy hectic learning environments with kids challenging each other and working in small groups and the teacher working around the room like a facilitator to, you know, engage those kids as they engage each other. Well, when some of the kids are at home, that's a little bit more of a challenge, but a system like ours allows the kids in the class to hear the kids at home and vice versa. And everyone to hear the teacher no matter where that teacher is, if they're sharing a a smart board screen or or some other online curriculum, they're always able to hear. So hopefully, that that helps make tuning in via a laptop as everyone is doing now. A little more engaging, and, again, easier for the teacher. Definitely. Rumors and Sermers. I like that. Yeah. Well, this was an You didn't wake it up. Okay. Well, you know, those are the questions that I have for you, but now it's time to turn it over to the listeners. So, this is, of course, a community and we want to hear from you. So, let me let me go to the chat here. So, Emily asks, what do you mean by campus communication? Sure. Front row offers both classroom, audio, AV control systems, but there also can be endpoints on a network So what that does is we're one of the few companies that offer both an IP based paging intercom, bells, and emergency alert system. This would replace most schools older paging systems with something modern that that rise on the network. And when we make the the classroom systems part of that communication platform, that integration is really great. So when when the office makes an announcement, everything in the room mutes. If you're making a recording, it'll actually pause the recording in the class. So you can hear the announcement and then resume recording. So there's really a a nice integration there. But from the teacher's side too, I can use the system to call the office. It's it's more of a high fidelity paging system and intercom, but it also gives me the ability to have a panic button alert, if you will, on my microphone, that allows me to reach the office if I'm in a situation and I I need an emergency response. So there's a lot more benefits to that campus communication system than paging an intercom, which is why we we call communication platform, the emergency functionality, notifying local authorities, telling the access systems to lock and unlock the doors, controlling digital signage, there's a lot to that, which you know, if you're interested in something like an upgraded paging intercom, bells and emergency alert system, check out conductor on go front row dot com and Learn more about that. Great. Well, Elise asks, what advice would you give to districts looking to expand their technology footprint? For both new school constructions and then upgrades to existing campuses. Sure. Front row has long worked directly with the architectural firms. In fact, we have people on staff that that's all that they do because our easy room and conductor platforms that I was just talking about are very popular for new school construction. One because it's all on the network. So when a school wires a building for network, which they all do, you've already done the the bulk of the in installation. So now it's just a matter of endpoints on the network and our bells paging intercom system that rides on that network. So architects, of course, like the fact that it's in the ceiling and in the walls and all seamless versus you know, retrofitting an installation. So we work with schools who are doing new school construction in in that case. Well, if anybody anybody that works at a district knows what happens when you do that. When you when you build a new building and it's got all this really great technology, and it can do all these things. Very quickly, all the other schools are like, where's mine? You know? We we We need panic buttons. I need I need that AV sound system. You know, when when are we gonna get that? And that's really an area that that front row excels at. In retrofitting older buildings to match the technology of of the new one. We have ways to take your existing speakers and infrastructure that's already installed in the school, all those hallways and cafeteria speakers, that sort of thing. And upgrade them to the experience that the new school is getting so that they can have that same functionality whether it's instructional safety or paging communication. Well, fantastic. It looks like we don't have any other questions. I'll I'll thank you, Mark, for for your time. While while we hold for just a second to make sure there's no others, you know, what's the best way to get in touch with you? Well, the easiest way is to look us up online at go front row dot com. You'll find there lots of videos about Clint ISD and other schools that we've worked with and and what they've put in place. You can also find information there on how to contact one of our product specialists like ours in in that worked with Clint directly. You can also find information about some of the new products we've brought out recently. Since this whole thing started, We've worked with schools to to more accommodate this distance learning need, and some of the lessons that that our engineers learned from working with Clinton incorporating cameras. We recently launched a system that incorporates front row's first camera system. It's an all in one plug and play classroom audio system for teachers to use. That has a camera built in that zooms around the room and looks at the teacher at the board or looks at the classroom and all these different presets And again, we wrote the software for that that camera in that system to make it super easy for teachers to do online lessons, an online classroom, rumors and zoomers again. Mhmm. And that's that's called lesson cam, so they can learn about that there. And then I think I won't be in too much trouble if I tell tell you all that in about a week or two, we're we're launching another new system that kind of incorporates this classroom anywhere sort of idea. It's a new product called Lyric. It is another plug and place without all the the installation that goes along with that. You can set it down then. It's a classroom audio system that gives the teacher the wireless mic for doing Zoom lessons and that sort of thing. But also is a portable system. So it's got a an internal battery allows the teacher to grab that and go down to other rooms or instructional areas, take it outside, that whole idea that that they can use that wherever the classroom may be. And so that system will run-in an eight hour day on its battery without teacher having to worry about finding a place plug it in. So the Lyric is a is a classroom audio system that's also portable. So something to look for. I don't think it's on the website today. But in the next week or two that's coming out with plenty of stock for for schools that are looking to do something yet this year, I know finding product has been a a problem for schools in a lot of cases this year, but -- Right. -- that's something we'll have available for schools Before we wrap up, but we actually have a couple, two more questions. Ricardo asks, adding technology can be daunting for teachers. How long does it take for teachers and staff to adopt and start using these upgrades? That's a very good question, Ricardo, it depends a lot on on where they are currently. If they've already done online class is using Zoom, then this becomes even easier because our tools really free up the teacher from being tethered directly to their laptop, being able to have either presets with our camera that that zoom around the room to show students different things in the class or if you're just using an audio system, Now I've got the mic and I can walk anywhere in the room without being worried about what the kids at home can can hear me or if I'm coming across clearly. And then the system adds the benefit of the kids in the class being able to hear the kids at home when they tune in. So depending on the particular solution, most training these days were providing to teachers via our video platform. So we have video instruction on how to use the systems on our website. And if they've got customized system. We create videos training just for that particular district, which we've done many times as well. But it depends on where they're coming from, what they what they've started with. But typically, with the way we design things to be very very user friendly, it's pretty intuitive. Most people know how to use a basic touch screen and whether that's on our our plug and play Juno product or on the wall of an integrated easy room classroom. It it's pretty straightforward. So the the hardest part is not the technology. We've taken that away. The hardest part as every teacher knows, is making sure you're keeping all those kids engaged and and in in modifying your curriculum to be done both synchronous and asynchronous. Right. Well, and that's a huge value add to to add the or to include the training. Because I think, yes, you know, it it may be fairly intuitive. But, you know, teachers have a lot on their plate. So the last thing they wanna worry about is being on the spot and handling technology that they're maybe just not as familiar with. And so being able to provide that training is certainly key. What? Taylor. Sorry for talking over you there, Mark. Taylor asks, is there value for schools that are fully in person when it comes to the types of technology upgrades that Clint ISD installed in their schools, or are these products primarily for remote learning? Also, an excellent question. Thanks, Taylor, for asking. No. I I absolutely think there there are some schools who thought maybe this was a short temporary situation and bought some either document cameras or maybe they bought some webcams or Bluetooth microphones to try to get by for a short time. And I I think that those who invested in a in a classroom audio system, which has been a benefiting classrooms for twenty years. Most schools have the experience of a teacher wearing a microphone and how it benefits all the students in the class, not just, you know, a kid with a hearing impairment or something. And so post pandemic, if if we're back to a hundred percent kids in class, that's a a benefit on just the teacher being able to not have to strain their voice or or suffer from vocal, fatigue, laryngitis, and every kid hearing every spoken word no matter again where that teacher is in the room because we know there's not really a front of broom anymore. And so it it's a powerful tool. It was a powerful tool long before Zoom classes came along. However, I do believe that synchronous and asynchronous instruction is part of every school and every classroom pedagogy moving forward because there's always gonna be a kid that misses class. There's always gonna be reasons that everyone can't be in the classroom at the same time or needs to tune in from outside of class. And this gives them the ability while giving their normal instruction for the class to also provide that lesson for someone who can't be there. You know, before this, many people used our teacher edition software. It's a a recording software that Frontrow has that allows teachers to record their lesson, and it's a huge benefit for those kids who just need to repeat what was learned in class that day. So perhaps they are learning English as a second language, and so being able to listen to the recording again allows them to get better word acquisition at home. Or for some reason, they weren't all tuned in that day. You know, maybe they didn't have a good office, and they get home and they go, how did the teacher do that equation again? Being able to review that at home with their parents you know, that's that's a big benefit of being able to record. So whether it's live or recorded, whether all the kids are in in class, or some are tuning in from home. Having the ability to do that is a necessary piece of of the whole classroom technology package, I think, for for all classrooms moving forward. I tell you, if I had that type of technology, if I could go back and see the recorded lectures that I may have zoned out a bit. That would have been a game changer. I'm I'm certainly one of those distracted kids that was in the back of the classroom when I was when I was younger. Right. I had the attention span of a nap when I Well, I think my kids got that too. Got it. But really, just having that kind of omnipresent sound of the teacher in the classroom, being able to hear easily Yeah. You know, as adult listeners, we discount the impact of being able to hear well in the classroom because we can fill in the blanks, you know, our our ability to if I a couple of words, your brain can say leave out a couple of words, omit a couple of words, and we do it without even thinking. Right. You know, elementary kids can't do that. And after they've lost a couple of words, then they're lost altogether. And that makes a big impact. There's dozens of studies out there showing what a positive impact, just amplifying the teacher and distributing that voice clearly around the room using a classroom audio system, what an impact that can have on learning for all students. And so that that in and of itself has made an industry out of what we do, and I've done for twenty years now. But adding more and more layers to that like being able to do online lessons, adding cameras, adding the video side to AV and control systems, paging intercom, all of that. It all adds on to that that basic premise that we started, and that is that when kids can hear better, they learn better. And it's a huge benefit for the teachers as well. Definitely. Well, that does it for this episode of communicated Mark, thank you so much for joining me. Well, thank you for having me on. Shelby, it's been a pleasure. And I I hope that we get to work with more districts soon to have this technology implemented in their schools as well. Well, and listeners thank you for tuning in and participating with us. We appreciate it, and we hope you have a wonderful day. Until next time, I'm Shelby Skearawk.