Teacher preparation programs focus on subject matter content, related pedagogy and assessment practices, classroom management strategies, and navigating an increasingly diverse classroom environment. With the rapid advancements in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the need to integrate computer science into school curricula, current and future teachers require further preparation to better utilize technology to support teaching and learning. While most teacher education programs squeeze one Technology course into a jam-packed program, more is needed to better equip pre-service teachers with the knowledge and skills to integrate technology into the school curriculum effectively. Unfortunately, much of what they learned is often forgotten as pre-service teachers take up their first teaching position and face the complexities of full-time teaching. Instead of utilizing technology to enhance teaching and learning, many teachers only use it as a substitute for traditional teaching tools,

Simeon, a leading innovator in classroom audio amplification and assistive listening technology, is set to launch the world’s first classroom sound field system with Auracast, Bluetooth’s new broadcast audio standard. The Audita III, debuting in late 2025, moves beyond brand specific transmitters to a single global standard that simplifies audio management and adapts to every student’s needs. “Our mission has always been to level the playing field for students with hearing loss, giving them the same opportunity to participate as their peers,” says Jason Rude, president. “That mission has guided each step forward, including our systems already in classrooms today.” Simeon’s current Audita II systems make classrooms more inclusive by evenly carrying a teacher’s voice across the room and linking directly with hearing aids and cochlear implants. But Audita II achieves this through brand-tied accessories such as the Oticon EduMic, the Phonak Roger transmitter or the Cochlear MultiMic. In classrooms where students use different brands, multiple devices must be connected and managed. The setup is effective but often cumbersome in practice. Audita III changes that. The introduction of Auracast removes the need for manufacturer-dependent transmitters altogether. No matter the brand, one broadcast standard will reach every hearing aid and cochlear implant. A universal broadcast standard now delivers what once demanded splitters, custom wiring and multiple mics. The result is a classroom that is easier to manage, more reliable for teachers and fully inclusive for students. The impact is felt at every level. Students with hearing loss receive precise ear-level amplification and equal footing in discussions. Their peers benefit as pass-around microphones ensure that every voice is projected through the sound field system while simultaneously streamed directly into hearing devices, removing the hesitation from missing part of the conversation. Teachers avoid the strain of projecting their voices all day, relying instead on a lightweight pendant transmitter that carries speech naturally through the system. For schools, the shift means lower costs, less IT complexity and technology that remains relevant well into the future..