When it comes to student testing and assessment time, having the right technology gear isn’t just nice, it’s essential. The right devices, a reliable power source, and a comfortable environment help ensure that assessments run smoothly and allow students to focus on demonstrating their knowledge rather than solving technical problems.
The right technology setup in the classroom also helps support equity by giving every student constant access to the tools they need to perform at their best. Reliable technology underpins equity, efficiency, and trust for both students and educators.
We asked Lauren Evans, Technology Solutions Manager at Winc, to share three simple steps to help teachers prepare their classrooms for exam season.
1. Noise canceling headphones.
Using headphones during exams can help students engage more deeply with online practice tests, digital learning tools, and exam tasks. Clear, uninterrupted audio reduces distractions and supports better comprehension, especially on multimedia or language-based exams.
“The right headphones can help students focus on the material at hand and engage more effectively to give their best answer. For exam preparation, it can allow students to make calls, exchange ideas and test each other’s knowledge for exam day performance.”
“Provide students with the right products from the start or replace old headphones that crackle or aren’t compatible. It’s also important that headphones have volume limitations and controls to help maintain a quiet testing environment while allowing settings to be tailored to individual student needs without disrupting others,” shared Lauren.
Verbatim’s Classic Over-Ear Stereo Headset is ideal for multimedia and video calls and can be adjusted to suit different learning environments. They guarantee a perfect fit, adapting to all head sizes for a personalized listening experience and comfort.
2. Establish a comfortable and efficient study and exam area.
Teachers can support learning comfort by making small technological adjustments to existing setups, especially if laptops or tablets are commonly used.
“If students are taking exams on tablets, providing a laptop experience can help improve speed and convenience by linking a keyboard case instead of a digital display that often takes up half the screen while in use,” explained Lauren.
The Logitech® Rugged Combo 4 for iPads offers military-grade drop protection, pinch-proof keys, and a full-size keyboard that’s sealed against spills. It also comes with a secure plug that doesn’t need charging or pairing, it just uses a smart plug to work.
“While all headsets offer the same sound functionality, consider opting for a gaming headset that can be used for other applications in the classroom, such as eSports modules, testing or learning,” shared Lauren.
The Logitech® Astro A10 Wired Gaming Headset can produce clear and detailed sound with an ultra-durable headband for comfort.
3. Stay powered and connected to continue.
When preparing for online exams or digital assessments, teachers should ensure that devices are fully powered and can last for the duration of the exam. Connected devices can affect performance during studying or an exam by draining battery life, so having high-quality chargers nearby or connected is essential. Consider the Verbatim Gan Charger 4 Port 140w that lets you charge up to four devices simultaneously, from laptops and tablets to phones and gaming rigs. It also has built-in over-current, over-voltage, short-circuit and over-temperature protection, keeping devices safe while charging at maximum efficiency.
“There’s nothing worse than being limited by the life of the built-in battery and having it fail during a scheduled exam session while others are charging. Make sure you have the right external equipment, such as power boards and charging cables to power webcams, headsets and other connected devices to keep students’ devices running until the exam is over and ready to recharge for the next one,” advises Lauren.
Also consider carrying a pack of EnergizerMax Plus 24 AAA batteries (also available in AA) for Bluetooth devices or when you need a quick boost of power without waiting to recharge.
Or for a constant power supply, check out the PC Locs Carrier 15 charging station, which powers up to 15 devices at once in a secure kit that protects against unauthorized access between exams.
Take a look at our new Technology Essentials offer to explore the range and find out how we can support students with the right technology to get them prepared and ready for exam period. For more details, contact a Winc Account Manager today.