#United States #K-12 Education #Lightspeed #Tualatin #Boostlingo

Lightspeed and Boostlingo Join Forces to Enhance Classroom Communication

In a groundbreaking collaboration, Lightspeed, a leader in instructional audio solutions, has formed a partnership with Boostlingo, a top-notch language access technology company. This initiative aims to significantly improve communication for educators and students by offering real-time translation services in more than 130 languages. This powerful combination of technologies is set to revolutionize classrooms across the United States, especially for English Language Learners (ELLs).

More than five million students in the U.S. are identified as ELLs, and many find it challenging to engage fully in the learning process due to language barriers. Traditional educational environments often overlook these barriers, resulting in lost instructional time as teachers struggle to accommodate diverse linguistic needs. That’s where this innovative partnership comes into play. By seamlessly integrating Boostlingo’s AI-driven translation and transcription capabilities with Lightspeed's audio solutions, educators can now provide clear and understandable instruction to all students, regardless of their language proficiency.

Tony Zeikle, Senior Vice President of Revenue at Lightspeed Technologies, emphasized the importance of auditory comprehension in education. He noted, “To ensure student success, understanding instruction is crucial. For those learning in a language other than their native tongue or students who are deaf or hard of hearing, this can be daunting. Our partnership with Boostlingo offers an exciting opportunity to eliminate such communication barriers, fostering an inclusive learning environment where every student can thrive.”

How It Works

The integration is user-friendly—teachers connect their computers to instructional audio systems using a media connector to access Boostlingo’s features. During a session, students can quickly scan a QR code to select their preferred language through their personal devices. They can expect to follow class content instantaneously via written captions or AI-powered speech translation, ensuring that the teacher's instruction is transmitted clearly throughout the classroom.

Bryan Forrester, CEO of Boostlingo, encapsulated the essence of this partnership by stating, “Language should never hinder comprehension, especially within the educational landscape. We are excited to collaborate with Lightspeed to dismantle these barriers and guarantee that all students can fully engage and succeed in their classroom environments.”

This collaboration doesn't just cater to language but also emphasizes accessibility, meeting the needs of students with disabilities. It helps schools meet the requirements set by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), providing equal opportunities for ELLs, as well as for students who are deaf or hard of hearing. The use of real-time translation broadens access to content, ultimately bridging significant gaps in educational equity that have previously existed.

Future Impacts

This partnership between Lightspeed and Boostlingo is a substantial step forward in advancing educational inclusivity. By integrating advanced technology into everyday learning practices, schools can create environments that are not only accessible but also conducive to academic success for many students who might have otherwise faced serious challenges. The eventual goal is to ensure that every learner has equal access to high-quality education regardless of their language or hearing abilities.

For more information about this exciting collaboration and its impact on education, visit Lightspeed’s website.

In summary, Lightspeed's mission to ensure that every student hears every word aligns closely with Boostlingo’s innovative approach to language access technology. Together, they are not just enhancing the teaching experience, but redefining it in a way that resonates with the core values of inclusivity and understanding in education. With these tools at their disposal, educators will be better equipped to meet diverse student needs, fostering a generation of learned individuals who can succeed in any environment.