Teaching online in noisy places - Solution.
Posted: 14 Dec 2019, 15:43
Hi everyone, I teach ESL online and find that as a digital nomad, I have been plagued with the issue of background noise when trying to conduct an online lesson.
Where I am located has a particular issue with outrageously noisy articulated trucks with 'Jake brakes'.
If you don't know what these are, congratulations!
It's safe to say that they are extremely noisy.
Cafés are another issue, particularly with those coffee machines and ice crunching smoothie makers.
Now, what if there was a solution?
There is.
It's called noise attenuation devices or software.
When I used to fly a lot, we had noise attenuating headsets that used noise cancellation technology.
Unfortunately, they were very expensive but they worked by basically using sound against sound at the same frequencies. The effect was amazing and reduced fatigue on long flights or whilst teaching for long hours.
Now, I have been testing a propriety product which does the same thing on a laptop or desktop. A version for mobile phones is under development as well.
To say I was impressed, would be an understatement, when ALL background noise was TOTALLY eliminated. From shouting children and barking dogs, right up to the horrendous Jake brake racket I mentioned earlier.
The software is not free, but it's not expensive either.
Given that I'm new here, I'm not going to give purchasing details as I don't want to be banned from the forum for commercial activity. So if you want information on my findings, how to conduct call (FOC) and how to get it and install it etc. Please send me a PM and I'll oblige.
Here's to a noise free online teaching experience!
My new favourite Christmas carol? Silent night!
Nigel.
Where I am located has a particular issue with outrageously noisy articulated trucks with 'Jake brakes'.
If you don't know what these are, congratulations!
It's safe to say that they are extremely noisy.
Cafés are another issue, particularly with those coffee machines and ice crunching smoothie makers.
Now, what if there was a solution?
There is.
It's called noise attenuation devices or software.
When I used to fly a lot, we had noise attenuating headsets that used noise cancellation technology.
Unfortunately, they were very expensive but they worked by basically using sound against sound at the same frequencies. The effect was amazing and reduced fatigue on long flights or whilst teaching for long hours.
Now, I have been testing a propriety product which does the same thing on a laptop or desktop. A version for mobile phones is under development as well.
To say I was impressed, would be an understatement, when ALL background noise was TOTALLY eliminated. From shouting children and barking dogs, right up to the horrendous Jake brake racket I mentioned earlier.
The software is not free, but it's not expensive either.
Given that I'm new here, I'm not going to give purchasing details as I don't want to be banned from the forum for commercial activity. So if you want information on my findings, how to conduct call (FOC) and how to get it and install it etc. Please send me a PM and I'll oblige.
Here's to a noise free online teaching experience!
My new favourite Christmas carol? Silent night!
Nigel.