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Teacher Review for Silent Light - Classroom Timer and Decibel Meter

An app to help create an environment conducive to learning.

Catherine B.
 Classroom teacher
Copper Mesa Elementary (Highlands Ranch, CO)
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My Subjects English Language Arts, Math, Science, Social Studies
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My Rating
Learning Scores
Engagement
Pedagogy
Support
My Students Liked It Yes
My Students Learned Yes
I Would Recommend It Yes
Setup Time Less than 5 minutes
Great for Small group
Whole class
Great with Advanced learners
General
Special needs
How I Use It
This product is used to support a positive class learning environment. It essentially measured the decibel level of noise in the classroom and alerts students when the level has gotten too loud. You can the sensitivity for different learning conditions (completely silent, group discussion, all the way up to "Airport", which is tolerates quite a lot of noise. It awards points when students remain at the desired noise level. If the noise is within an acceptable level, the stop light indicator stays green. As the noise rises, the stop light moves to green to yellow and then red. They stop receiving points with yellow and red. This app works because it challenges students to self-monitor, and peer monitor the noise level. It is an objective tool. As I teach 21 sections of students over a three week period, I have different classes at each grade level compete to see who has the most points at the end of the three weeks, and the winning classes earn an incentive. We also graph the points and are able to analyze data to see trends, talk about ways we can improve, etc.
My Take
This isn't a tool that builds deep levels of understanding or allows students to create or curate information. However, it serves teachers and kids in that it helps build an environment that is conducive to learning. It also allows student to learn how to self regulate (individually and as a group). It takes the argument of getting kids to quiet down and provides instantaneous feedback. This is a great app to add your bag of teaching tricks. Each time a colleague sees it, they want to know what it is and how they can get it. Well worth the cost of the app!