Earphones & Education: Recommendations (for Individuals & Classes)

Ubiquitous access to portable media is changing the way we learn. Apple is a, and perhaps "the", leader in this area.

However, despite Apple's reputation for excellence in design, the company has not earned brilliant grades for it's eponymous white ear buds.

As a bit of an audiophile, I have a broad selection of headphones that I've purchased over the years with mixed results. While brand and model are clear differentiators in terms of the performance of the headphones, I've tended to find that the style of headphone is probably the most important decision to make. We dress differently for every occasion, and yet I'm always stunned that we expect our earphones to adapt to every new circumstance without sacrificing performance. I've discovered that certain styles are best suited to certain situations, and we need to dress our iPod and ears differently for different activities.

There are three basic types of headphone: supra-aural, circumaural, and in-ear headphones. There are also variations and mutations thereof just to add interest.

This is hardly an exhaustive survey of all the headphones out there, but it may provide some guidance for anyone looking into upgrading their ear wardrobe.

Classroom/Lab Headphones:

By far and away the best headphones we've ever tried are from the grand-daddy of school audio equipment: Califone.

For hygienic reasons, shared in-ear heaphones are out of the question in a lab setting. The remaining options of supra-aural (sitting lightly on the outside of the ear) or circumaural (big, closed surrounding earphones) are both possible, but circumaural are preferable to avoid sound leakage, and to provide reasonable hygiene and durability. Not to mention, this style is also likely to have the best sound!

We have tried USB headphones (problems with drivers), mic enabled headsets (poor sound, regular breakage) and a wide variety of analog mini-plug headsets. Without going through the exhaustive list, some worked better that others but none have worked out as well as the Califone 3068.

Among other great features, the Califone 3068 headset has removable, cleanable, antimicrobial cushioned pads; rugged design; mono or stereo switch (for language or music - ideal for schools!); comfortable; and large and ugly enough to be less likely to walk away from the lab.

Speaking of being outside the lab, much learning happens, and increasingly happens, in the personal space outside of school space. Here are some suggestions for personal headphones suited for individual specific uses:

Home Mac or Travel Headphones:

My Koss PortaPros are best-sounding, least-expensive headphones I have ever bought. This isn't to say there aren't areas for improvement - the metal band, for example, can become uncomfortable after extended use - but all things considered, these are a great pair of headphones for the price. In fact, I use these so much that I've had to replace the foam pads several times. The headphones have great sound, particularly full base for the small size, and because they're circumaural, you can hear surrounding sounds and keep you at least slightly socially-present with your family.

The opposite strategy would be to purchase noise-cancelling headphones, like the Bose QuietComfort 3 (8/10 CNET rating). I have never used active sound-canceling headphones, as I have enough trouble staying focussed on the outside world as it is. Nevertheless, it may be an interesting option for educators looking for solutions for students with concentration issues.

On the Road Headphones:

I love my iPhone. And, frankly, with caveat that I sometimes have fights with the one-button remote, I love the iPhone ear-buds for their versatility. Much better sound than the iPod ear-buds and with the bonus of a mic and a simple, but sometimes finicky, integrated remote, the iPhone earbuds are my go-to ear phones: commuting (public transport, cycling, driving), treadmill workout, and sauntering around the town. My extensive use of the Apple iPhone buds could also have something to do with the fact that I don't own an adapter to allow other earphones into the recessed iPhone earphone plug and so my options are limited... to one. Nevertheless, I think Apple has hit a great balance of all-round features in these ear buds.

Doing Errands with your iPod:

Startlingly enough, I've gone full circle and started using my original iPod ear-buds around when I'm surrounded with people with whom I may have to, unfortunately, interact. While the sound of the ear-buds is only adequate, they are comfortable and oh-so-easy to pop out when you need to have a quick conversation. A particular favourite of mine is the one-ear-bud-in-one-ear-bud-out technique: it manages convey a mild interest in what the other person is saying, but clearly indicating this interest is limited.

Running Headphones:

The problem with earphones and active sports, like running, is trying to keep them in your ears and not falling out at inopportune moments. Also, there is a need for them to be sweat resistant. Who knew ears could sweat? In addition, they need to be durable and weather resistant.

For years I've been using Sony's MDR-W08 - no longer listed in Sony's Sports and Active Style product section, but the original Walkman design, which is still available at every electronics store.

(On an entirely different topic, but speaking of Sony, surfing the Sony web site is a great way to see why Sony is having trouble adjusting to modern trends: it is a confusing, archaic, badly organized site full of products that are given meaningless names.)

The main problem with these headphones had been that they will not stay in your years, and although the over-the-band means they won't fall off entirely, it means you can't wear a hat on runs nor does the band guarantee the speakers won't actually pop out of your ears. They're servicable - they worked for me for years - but not a great solution.

My go-to headphones are now, in fact, a pair I bought for my wife. This means that part of their appeal is the fact that I have to cunningly purloin their use - which naturally makes them a considerably more exciting option. The Sennheiser MX 75 Sport ear buds are, if nothing else, green. But apart from their distinctive colour, they're great-sounding, convenient, tough, comfortable, and stable once inserted.

The buds come with a clip to attach to your running top, so that the weight of the cable doesn't pull down on your ears as you run. What is most interesting, and separates them from other sports headphones, is the engineering of how they have created sports buds without an annoying over-the-head band (so that you can wear a hat), without a behind the neck band (that can be irritating), or a wrap behind the ear clamp that make wearing sunglasses difficult. Instead, Sennheiser has created a "Twist-to-fit" system - you insert the buds, and then a little appendage fits under one of the folds of your ear. It's difficult to explain, but is easy to use: simply insert and twist. Please see the pictures below provided for your convenience, just insert the buds and twist gently back:

(Please E-mail me with any multi-million dollar ear-modelling inquiries.)

I have looked long and hard for headphones that worked well for me while running - the search has stopped. I recommend these to any runners out there.

If you don't wear glasses, my second choice would be any number of buds with the wrap-behind-the-ear clamp. I happen to be very happy with the Jensen Lightweight Ear-Hook Headphones - especially with the $20 cost! Fair sound, with good base, and very comfortable.

The best sounding ear buds I own are actually the Shure in-ear e3C Sound Isolating Earphones (now discontinued, but replaced with similar models currently available). The up-side is that when fitted properly, these tiny buds provide great sound, including rich base and distinct highs, and reduce ambient noise through the physical blocking of your ears. The down-side is that you have to adapt to having earphones jammed inside your ear canals, which, at first, needless to say, can be very uncomfortable. Furthermore these headphones provide an alarming insight into what lurks in your ears: they can quickly become unhygienic if the earphones are not cleaned regularly.

Before the iPhone buds, these were my heaphones of choice for active use when working out, or cycling.

All in all, here are my go-to headphones: the Califone 3068 for school, the Sennheiser MX 75 Sport buds for running, the Koss PortaPros for home and travel, and the iPhone buds for everything else.

The best piece of advice I have, is to acquire a variety of headphone styles for different uses.

Remember: headphones are like clothes, and after all, you don't wear a Speedo to school. Often.