Michigan Technological University (MTU) recently outfitted a lecture hall and a library multi-purpose space with ClearOne‘s BMA 360 Microphones. This project came to fruition as part of the university’s mission to prepare its students to create the future.
According to ClearOne, the BMA 360 is a technologically advanced beamforming microphone array that provides wall-to-wall microphone coverage and ensures clear collaborative capabilities.
ClearOne is a Utah-based company that specializes in conferencing, collaboration, and network streaming solutions.
High Socialization, Improved Communications Proficiency
David Chard, MTU’s director of media technology services, said that workspaces with ClearOne technologies promote engagement with the instruction materials. They also teach proficiency with communications tools and provide benefits for remote learners.
“Digital connectivity and communications is central to virtually every discipline we teach at MTU today, and our students both expect and deserve class-leading tools that optimize efficiency and improve educational experiences,” Chard explains.
All-Around Coverage of the BMA 360 Microphones
Chard revealed that each room is used for a variety of purposes including instructions, meetings and remote collaborations. However, there was no effective way for individuals to be heard across a large crowd of attendees. This meant that they were mostly one-way presentations.
Additionally, the library’s tech manager, David Holden, observed that the technologies in the East Reading Room had fallen behind. They failed to provide the flexibility and standards found in other spaces.
Read Next: ClearOne Plugin Visualizes BMA 360 Microphone Coverage
Taking this into account, MTU added a total of six BMA 360 microphones, three in each room. The biggest advantage is BMA 360’s Voice Lift feature. With this, both rooms now offer attendees the chance to be heard distinctly without passing a microphone around or repositioning themselves within the room. This extends to people inside the room, allowing the microphone pickup to be played back in real-time. As a result, students or participants on the other side of the room can clearly hear every word.
ClearOne further stated that the BMA 360 thus solves the issue of audio clarity without requiring any behavior changes from participants.
Impact of the Installation
Image courtesy of ClearOne.
The new microphones have made using the spaces much simpler where meetings no longer require assistance with setup or operations. According to the university, this is a critical improvement, as one of its goals is to encourage technological proficiency.
Chard further added that during semesters impacted by COVID-19 restrictions, MTU hosted ClearOne’s Chat 170 speakerphones in various smaller rooms. He also noted that the university community recorded and viewed more than 225,000 hours of instruction.
“We only install technologies that provide reliable experiences for users, and after years of success with various ClearOne products, we know these solutions are both easy to use and deliver industry-leading capabilities and performance,” Chard says.
The upgraded technology offers major benefits for every type of collaborative opportunity. The university is already considering subsequent BMA 360 installations in other campus spaces. It will also focus on ensuring experiential learning. In doing so, students can benefit from hands-on access to technologies they are likely to use in their professional careers.
“[MTU’s] installations present a true case study of what can be accomplished when institutions leverage ClearOne’s class-leading technologies and devices to support collaboration and communication in any size space,” says ClearOne chair and CEO Zee Hakimoglu. “It’s our hope that colleges, universities, corporations and businesses of all needs recognize the importance and value of reliable, helpful technologies that improve outcomes and support better utilization of space,” Hakimoglu concludes.
