Headsets should be in every classroom

“In K–12 education today, most of the ed-tech buzz falls into two categories: AI and visual tools such as interactive whiteboards and content cameras. But one of the most essential solutions for students falls into neither of those. Headsets are too often overlooked in ed-tech investment strategies. A recent survey conducted by Logitech and THE Journal found that only 21 per cent of IT decision makers prioritise headsets as part of their ed-tech hardware planning. Meanwhile, school case studies indicate that only 18 per cent of students feel confident with earbuds, a common alternative to headsets. Because so many lessons and activities rely on spoken instructions or include essential audio, students must be able to hear clearly before they can engage with content, learn from their peers, or sustain focus. In many learning spaces, unfortunately, that’s not guaranteed. The sound gap Classrooms are usually anything but quiet. The air-conditioner hums, students chatter, chairs scrape, and the noise of digital devices all tend to drag students’ already-busy minds away from what they’re learning. This explains why, according to a 2024 survey conducted by Logitech and the EdWeek Research Center, 97 per cent of teachers say they stop instruction at least twice a day because students didn’t hear the first time. Image: iStock/mediaphotos Each of these disruptions might last a minute or two if you include the time it takes to regain students’ attention, and those minutes add up. The study indicates that 30 hours of instructional time are lost per year just from repeating directions. That’s nearly a week of lost learning. The impact also affects the quality of education we can offer students. For younger learners, especially those ages five to 14, auditory processing is still developing. Missing a single word multiple times throughout class can disrupt comprehension and, over time, derail an entire curriculum. More on this story: Ed-tech 2025: Smart tech, smarter teaching | Strathcona Girls Grammar principal on using tech for inclusivity | Victoria bans phones in non-govt schools Students who constantly miss the thread of instruction may silently fall behind, which is why we need to help students hear clearly and consistently whether they’re in the back of the room or joining remotely. In this context, headsets can be considered instruments for engagement and an aid to effective practice. It seems beyond obvious to say, but when students can hear and be heard clearly, they learn with more confidence. In the same THE Journal survey, 81 per cent of IT decision-makers said their primary metric for ed-tech success is student engagement. Headsets support this goal directly by creating focused, individualised audio environments even in bustling classrooms. They also support equitable learning environments in meaningful ways. For instance, bilingual learners benefit from reduced background noise, enabling clearer understanding of pronunciation and vocabulary. Students with sensory sensitivities may also experience fewer disruptions and more consistent auditory input. Teachers often spend time troubleshooting tech issues. Picture: iStock/courtneyk. And all learners gain autonomy in blended and hybrid learning environments, supporting self-regulation and independent work. It’s telling that when schools don ’ t have enough headsets for all students, teachers spend up to five times more of their instructional time troubleshooting tech problems. Troubleshooting in these schools consumes nearly an hour a week compared to just 10 minutes in better-equipped classrooms. That’s hours of instructional labour each month diverted away from teaching and toward preventable tech issues, an invisible cost districts pay every year. Time to rethink basic ed-tech Schools are wisely investing in advanced technologies, but foundational tools deserve to be considered, too. Diagnosing classroom problems accurately is important to work out which ed-tech solutions will have the greatest benefit. If students can’t hear instruction clearly the first time, no smart board or camera system can fix that. The ability to hear and be heard clearly is the first step for engagement, comprehension, and achievement. As school and department leaders contend with tightening budgets and increasing classroom complexity, they should remember that the right headsets offer a simple, cost-effective solution that helps improve learning outcomes. Madeleine Mortimore is a former teacher and education innovation and research lead for Logitech .

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