Why sound quality is important for distance learning?

For many students, going back to school this year means going back to distance learning because of the coronavirus. This year’s most important back-to-school supply is a computer. Getting a dedicated microphone will do the same for your distance learning which is just as important .Poor sound quality will make it more difficult for students to understand the material being presented. It may also reduce their level of interest and participation in the class.So what should you look for when buying an external microphone for online teaching? Here is what we suggest in Teach and GO:

Plug and play
Microphone needs to be compatible with Windows, macOS, and Linux. Plug it into your laptop or computer, your device recognizes it and all you have to do is select it as the audio option when in your online class. No additional driver software or external devices is required. Ideal for gaming, podcasting, zoom meeting, streaming, Skype chatting, Voice Over, etc.

Small, portable size
Small, portable, and easy to use. If you don’t want the microphone to appear in the video, then a small microphone is the way to go.

Directional microphone
Directional microphones (also called unidirectional microphones) favor the sound from the direction the microphone is aimed at, and reject the sound from behind the microphone. Note that as the distance from the talker increases, the directional microphone starts to lose its effectiveness.

There is no need to spend an excessive amount on something as simple as a USB microphone for a laptop unless you tend to do more advanced things.

As the microphone is positioned farther away from the talker, the loudness of the speech reaching the microphone decreases, so the microphone's sensitivity to sound - its ability to "hear" - must be increased to compensate. This causes the microphone to pick up more of the desired sound (speech), but also to pick up more of everything else - background noise, reflections, sound from the loudspeakers, etc. The farther away the microphone is from the talker, the more hollow and noisy the sound will be.
The acceptable distance from the talker to the nearest microphone:
less than 2 feet is ideal
between 2 and 3 feet is good
between 3 and 5 feet is marginal
more than 5 feet is unacceptable

Let's talk a bit about some of the most common audio mistakes that you need to avoid.

Echo
Echo happens when you're recording in a large, empty room or in a room that has hard surfaces. To solve this problem, it is recommended to buy a microphone shield isolation features an acoustic foam front and a vented metal backplate, which allows the microphone to "breathe" and prevents reflections within the arc of the shield.

Ambient Noise
These are background noises such as the sound of your air conditioner or heater, fans, humidifiers, refrigerators, and other household appliances. Make sure that you stay away from them or turn them off before hitting that record button.

Other Background Noise
You may be located in a busy area surrounded by the honking of vehicles and different voices from people. This may be avoided by closing your windows, turning off the TV or the radio, and letting your family members know that you are recording and you need them to stay quiet and cooperate.