English Language Proficiency Assessment for the 21st Century (ELPA21)
Enhanced Assessment Grant
Oregon Department of Education, Lead State
Council of Chief State School Officers, Project Management Partner
ELPA21 Headset Specifications
The table below outlines features for headsets and Questar’s rationale in recommending those features.
Please note that Questar does not endorse specific brands or devices.
Recommended
Features
Reason for Recommendation
Alternatives not Recommended
Device:
Headset with
attached
microphone
A headset with attached microphone allows
for recording and playback using the same
device.
Separate headphones and microphone
increase the need to ensure proper
connection and setup on the computer
and complicate the testing site set-up.
Headset Design:
Over-ear
headphones
Over-ear headphones are comfortable to be
worn for a longer period of time by students
of different ages. Weight and size of
headphones can be selected based on
students’ age. Portable headphones are
smaller and lighter and hence may be suitable
for younger students.
For the general population, in-ear
headphones (ear buds) that are placed
directly in the ear canal are more
difficult to clean between uses. They
may not be suitable for younger
students. Ear bud microphones are
attached to the cord, making capturing
the students’ voice more problematic.
Play Back Mode:
Stereo
The sound files of the assessment are
recorded and played back in stereo.
Mono headsets
Noise Cancellation
Feature:
None needed
Noise cancellation often does not cancel out
the sound of human voices.
Many headsets with a noise
cancellation feature require a power
source; this adds cost and complicates
the testing set-up.
Volume Control
Feature:
None needed
Students will be able to control headset
volume via the testing device (computer,
laptop, tablet, etc.) and there is an audio
check built into the Questar platform.
Type of Connector
Plug:
One 3.5 mm plug,
two 3.5 mm plugs or
USB connector
Headsets must be compatible with the
computer used for testing.
Headsets with two 3.5 mm plugs can be
converted with a “Y” adaptor to a single plug
and be used with tablets
USB-connected headsets require driver
installation and may need to be enabled as
playback/recording device.
When using headsets with a built-in
volume control feature, students may
accidentally adjust headset volume or
mute themselves. This feature also adds
to cost.
NOTE: USB-connected headsets for
iPads and Android tablets are not
available/supported.
Special
Considerations
Bluetooth is not recommended.
Alternative-size headsets may need to be considered for smaller children, although not
required. Ear buds with a microphone may be considered for students who wear head
scarves or wraps, etc.
*Questar recommends avoiding microphones with windscreens (e.g. foam covers), unless they are removable, to assist with cleaning between uses.
“THE CONTENTS OF THIS DOCUMENT WERE DEVELOPED UNDER A GRANT FROM THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION. HOWEVER, THOSE CONTENTS DO NOT NECESSARILY REPRESENT THE POLICY OF THE U.S.
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND YOU SHOULD NOT ASSUME ENDORSEMENT BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.”
English Language Proficiency Assessment for the 21st Century (ELPA21) Enhanced Assessment Grant Oregon Department of Education, Lead State Council of Chief State School Officers, Project Management Partner Additional Headset Information for the ELPA21 Assessments Before purchasing headsets, make sure you know what type(s) of devices your students will be using during the ELPA21 assessments. This will help to ensure that you purchase headsets that will work on the types of devices you will be using and, if necessary, Y connectors that will work with the plug types of the headsets you use. (See below for more information on Y connectors.) Headsets come with connectors of three basic types. 1. A single 3. 5 mm jack ‐ This is the connector most often seen with earbuds that include a microphone. The
connector when examined closely, has four sections separated by three black bands. This is the only type of connector that will work with all iPads, Android and most other tablets. 2. Two 3.5 mm jacks – This connector is used with desktops and laptop computers that have separate
microphone and headphone outputs. In this case there is a separate jack for the microphone output and a separate jack for the headphone. 3. A USB connector ‐ most desktops and laptops can use USB connectors, however you often need to install a
driver so that the headset can be used by the test platform. USB connectors are not available on iPads or android tablets so headphones with this type of jack are not compatible with those devices. “THE CONTENTS OF THIS DOCUMENT WERE DEVELOPED UNDER A GRANT FROM THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION. HOWEVER, THOSE CONTENTS DO NOT NECESSARILY REPRESENT THE POLICY OF THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND YOU SHOULD NOT ASSUME ENDORSEMENT BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.” English Language Proficiency Assessment for the 21st Century (ELPA21) Enhanced Assessment Grant Oregon Department of Education, Lead State Council of Chief State School Officers, Project Management Partner Y connectors: There are a variety of different configurations of Y connectors. For example, all three of the Y connectors depicted below are used to convert headsets with two 3.5 mm jacks into a single 3.5 mm jack. This would allow headsets that are compatible with desktops and laptops (headsets that have two separate outputs for audio input and output) to be used with tablet devices. If you determine that you will need to purchase Y connectors based on the configuration of your school’s computer lab (for example: you will be using the headphones with two 3.5 mm jacks on both desktops and tablets) it is important to specify that you need a “Y” adapter compatible for an iPad. Note: These “Y” adapters are quite small and some consideration needs to be given to ensuring that they are not lost during usage. Y connectors you do NOT want: When considering purchasing a Y connector, it is important to note that there are many different types of Y connectors. The following are examples of Y connectors are unlikely to meet your needs. This type of Y connector lets you use two sets of headphones, but no microphone. The difference between this type of Y connector and the type of Y connector you will want is not always easy to see. It is important to read the specifications carefully before purchasing. These Y connectors convert a single plug to a dual plug. It is unlikely that this is the type of Y connector that you would want. Note the dual prong circled in red. “THE CONTENTS OF THIS DOCUMENT WERE DEVELOPED UNDER A GRANT FROM THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION. HOWEVER, THOSE CONTENTS DO NOT NECESSARILY REPRESENT THE POLICY OF THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND YOU SHOULD NOT ASSUME ENDORSEMENT BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.”