Promethean Partners with Audio Enhancement to Provide a Comprehensive Classroom Solution

Audio Systems to Improve Student Engagement in Activclassrooms

ATLANTA – June 21st, 2007 - New research confirms that 10 – 40% of all children in K-12 schools have difficulty hearing their teachers from the back of the classroom. As part of its ongoing commitment to improve student engagement, Promethean has today announced its partnership with Audio Enhancement, the education industry’s leader in classroom audio technologies.

Many classrooms have sound systems, but most only amplify the audio which streams from video and audio equipment. Through its partnership with Audio Enhancement, teachers using Promethean’s Activclassroom products can now enhance their own voice, projecting it in surround-sound fashion around the entire room. Powered by Panasonic’s world-renowned audio technology, the classroom is equipped with a receiver/amplifier and 4 distributed ceiling speakers. The teacher wears a light-weight, infrared wireless microphone which distributes their voice evenly throughout the entire classroom. The effect that this has on the environment in the classroom is truly profound. The “surround sound” ensures that regardless of a child’s position in the classroom, the students feel like the teacher is standing right over their shoulder. Audio Enhancement systems allow educators to speak at a more conversational and nurturing level, rather than having to raise their voice.

“It is a proven fact that students perform better when they are better able to hear their teachers,” said Mark Elliott, president of Promethean USA. “Noise levels within and around the school can affect their ability to hear and understand the teacher. We are pleased to announce this partnership, which we are confident will help to make our classrooms more effective."

“Providing the best sound solution for the already popular Promethean Activclassroom is a natural fit,” said Jeff Anderson, President of Audio Enhancement. “Now, districts have a comprehensive interactive classroom solution that reaches all learners.”

About Audio Enhancement

Based in Riverton, Utah, Audio Enhancement was founded nearly 30 years ago to help students overcome learning challenges by improving their ability to receive information. Nationwide, studies have shown the effectiveness of this technology in improving the learning environments of students. Research has established direct correlations with the implementation of Audio Enhancement classroom systems, and students’ academic performance and test scores.

About Promethean

Promethean is a global leader in interactive learning technology that empowers teachers to engage, educate, assess and motivate learners. Developed by and for educators, its award-winning products help teachers to prepare digital lessons quickly and with greater ease. The technology enables them to create, customize and integrate text, web, video and audio content, so they can more easily capture students’ attention and accommodate different learning styles.

The company supplies Activboard, the world’s most durable interactive whiteboard technology; Activstudio, a software platform for secondary teaching; and Activprimary, the only product designed specifically for use in primary schools and kindergarten. It also offers hand-held Activotes that permit instantaneous assessment of pupils’ comprehension of lessons. Beyond the classroom, Promethean offers training and support to ensure maximum results and return on investment.

Promethean USA is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, with flagship headquarters in Blackburn, UK.