As a result of the Covid pandemic, technology in classrooms has become essential to the success of students. From audio to video equipment, the pandemic has shown the critical need for flexible technology that enables teachers to meet the evolving needs of students, whether in the classroom or remotely.
Just as video conferencing has become the norm with remote work, adding a video element to remote learning, enables students to have a similar learning experience to the physical classroom environment, and allows teachers to engage directly with their students, regardless of location.
Bringing the classroom experience online
Jabra PanaCast is the world’s first Panoramic-4K plug-and-play video solution. Originally designed to bring meetings to life with high-definition video, PanaCast offers a full 180-degree view, automatically including everyone in the conversation – no matter how spread out they are.
With a view of the entire classroom, including the interactive whiteboard, students at home are able to see the teacher’s nonverbal cues and feel like they are an active part of the classroom. And for lessons that require more in-depth instruction, the Intelligent Zoom feature can automatically adjust the frame to focus only on the teacher, or whoever is talking at the time.
Jabra‘s Speak 510 wireless speakerphones offer superb audio quality, allowing students to hear everything that is going on in the classroom. Together, Jabra PanaCast and Speak 510 offer an unrivalled combination of crystal-clear audio and video to bring remote and in-person students closer together for an immersive, engaging remote learning experience.
All hands on deck to support rollout
With a short window between the arrival of the Jabra PanaCast cameras and Speak 510 speakerphones and the start of the school year, Sarasota Schools’ IT team was tasked with deploying these solutions in thousands of classrooms. However, the plug-and-play nature of Jabra solutions made the rollout quick, painless and successful across the district.
Adding value for students and teachers
The rollout of Jabra PanaCast and Speak 510 in Sarasota Schools has generated overwhelmingly positive feedback. Teachers report that the solutions are very easy to use in a variety of different ways, and have added value to their classrooms by giving them the ability to connect with remote students in a more meaningful way.
The school district is learning more every day about what students at home need to be successful and as it plans for the future, Jabra solutions will be an integral part of Sarasota Schools’ ecosystem as it continues to benefit from technology and evolve with the changing needs of the classroom.
A graduate of DeVry Institute of Technology, Doug has been in the Technology industry since 1976 and actively oversees Fearing’s daily operations. Along with his wife, Lois, and three others, Doug started Fearing’s in a 600 square-foot facility in Portage, Wisconsin. In the 25 years since, the company has grown to over 30 employees with offices in Madison and Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Doug likes to say he’s a “TV Technician with a dream� going back to his history with the family’s original business-Fearing’s TV and Appliance.
Doug values time with family, watersports, hiking, snowshoeing and skiing. In addition to being a devoted member of his church, Doug serves as Board President for Kinship Mentoring of Columbia County, Board member of Schools for Haiti and Scripture Chair of the Gideons-Portage camp.
A graduate of MATC, Lois oversees Fearing’s daily book keeping along with various HR responsibilities.
Along with Doug, Lois is deeply connected to community outreach, serving as a Board member and Fundraising Committee Chairperson for Kinship Mentoring of Columbia County. She also serves on the Schools for Haiti Fundraising committee. In addition, Lois’ ongoing passion and commitment to provide care for the elderly comes from her 10-year history of working in a Reedsburg, Wisconsin Nursing home.
Lois enjoys singing, hiking, sunny days on the pontoon, and spending time with her 4 grandchildren.
Ehren drives Fearing’s technology by continually seeking out trends to enhance capabilities while supporting Sales, Engineering and Installation teams. Throughout his years with Fearing’s, Ehren’s talent and vision have joined forces to create a wide variety of projects and strategic solutions that exceed expectation.
Ehren loves music, family time, movies, nature, sustainability efforts and electric vehicles.
With 10 years with Fearing’s and over twice that long in the industry, Ben continues to lead, coordinate, and develop the Commercial AV team.
By consistently delivering an outstanding experience and outcome, Ben contributes to the Fearing’s legacy of long-lasting partnerships that truly make a difference. Whatever the Commercial AV need may be, Ben and team deliver at the highest level.
Ben is an avid fisherman and photographer. He enjoys coaching his sons and other youth.
Chris has been with Fearing’s for 20 years and in the industry for over 2 decades. As a Certified leader in Sales Acceleration and trained in EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating Systems), Chris successfully utilizes his skills to lead the Fearing’s Salesforce. Chris and team are motivated and driven to develop new client partnerships while continuing to reinforce loyal long-term relationships with ongoing Service excellence.
Married for 19 years with 3 children, Chris enjoys skiing, hiking, fishing, boating, hunting, camping and golf. He’s also been actively involved as a Youth Football and Softball coach for his family and others.
