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The Joy of Juno: a teacher’s new best friend – Q&A with Frontrow UK and Anna Lucas

Anna Lucas (see image 1, above) is an early years specialist, phonics expert, content creator of supersonicphonicfriends.co.uk and children’s author of the infamous Sir Undercracker. Back in 2020 Anna led a case study for Front Row UK about the impact that their sound field technology, Juno, could have in the mainstream classroom.

Anna was recently interviewed about the findings of case study and below is the transcript from her Q&A session.

What were your initial expectations of the impact of Frontrow’s Juno when commissioning your study and how do they compare to the results? Before the study, I had personal experience the use of Juno for teaching, training and author visits and was aware of the impact it had for me personally in terms of reduced voice strain and reduction in my stress levels improving my day-to-day wellbeing.

For adults and children, I had experienced and witnessed increased attention and interaction levels and over all a better teaching and learning experience for all. They were my initial expectations of the feedback with regards to the impact of Juno in the classroom.

In comparison to the actual results, I was delighted to hear a similar picture to the one I have already spoken about but was amazed, and if I am honest somewhat shocked, at the significant impact the Juno had had in such a short period of time.

It was brilliant to hear the teachers wax lyrical about their Juno experience and should be noted that initially they were dubious and sceptical about using this piece of technology. They reported so much more than we could have expected.

The significant impact it had on:

  • EAL and INA children
  • SEND children
  • Communication and Language and listening and attention skills
  • Children’s progress and outcomes
  • Interaction, participation and confidence
  • Behaviour – in terms of challenging behaviour but also the eradication of any low level behaviour
  • Early Reading and Phonics
  • Application of phonics into writing
  • Reaching the Reasoning in Maths
  • More time for teaching and learning
  • A better quality of work produced
  • Reduced stress levels and fatigue and improvement over all Improved wellbeing
  • Reduced workload
  • Better relationships with children and Better relationships at home

One of my favourite quotes amongst many “It’s like having another adult in the classroom” and was fondly referred to as ‘the joy of juno’…. A teacher’s new best friend!

How do feel that the use of Juno impacted in a typical EYFS and KS1 classroom? From the case study findings and personal experience of the Juno in my role, feel that the Use of a Juno in the mainstream classroom has a significant impact on so many aspects. It’s so hard to choose but if I had to give you the top five, they would be these:

  • reduction in voice strain improved well being for all
  • improved behaviour and concentration
  • and the quality of relationships between adults and children and their peers
  • the impact teaching and learning (especially early language, phonics and reading and writing)
  • more time for learning
  • Another one of my favourite quotes is “Lessons are so much more snappier… they are with you every step of the way.”

Of all of the teachers you surveyed, what was the most impactful statement made to you with regards to the use of the Juno in their classroom? This is a really hard question to answer so I am going to give you my top three and that was difficult enough to decide but here we go…

“I am so calm and zen. The Juno freed me up from the front, and I could be anywhere in the room. In my class, it improved levels of learning, productivity and the level of the work produced. When I don’t have my Juno, I am so sad and really miss it.”

“The impact was palpable, from the engagement of the children to the reduced stress and strain on my voice.”

“I feel like the Juno takes phonics deeper into their brains. It is as though the penny just clicked for them and they suddenly started to make the connection with the sounds they can hear in words and the spellings that they can see.”

Oh and two more… that’s five – there are just so many!

“No more teacher voice … Just an overwhelming sense of calm”

“I really thought it was a luxury. Not anymore…”

That is such a difficult question to answer and it would be tantamount to impossible to whittle it down to one.

It seems that both teachers and children benefit from having a Juno in the classroom, what do you think is the ultimate measurable results will be for UK student’s learning outcomes? There are so many ways to measure children’s outcomes but I think the most measurable impact that we have seen and will continue to see is:

  • The children’s work produced pre- and post-Juno
  • Children’s language and vocabulary
  • Accelerated progress in phonics and that crucial application into reading and writing
  • More time for children to reach mastery in learning across the whole curriculum

And one more based on a quote from one of our teachers in the study…

“I feel calm, and the children are calm. Children enjoy the lessons more. Teachers are happy, which increased relationships with children. Happier Teachers and Happier Children!”

I am not sure you could want much more than that as a ultimate goal!

There seems to be a myriad of diverse benefits for the Juno, so what single benefit do you feel is the most impactful?

I think you know that I am not going to be able to choose just one…. I will give you my top three in no particular rank or priority:

Wellbeing and mental health – I think now so much more than ever has wellbeing and mental health has to be an overriding priority for all and we know hands on heart that the Juno impacts so positively on this area in terms of reduced stress, reduced fatigue, reduced voice strain, reduced work load and improvement in relationships and as mood enhancer for all.

The positive impact on progress in learning for EAL, INA, SEND, children with IBP and our most vulnerable children who are working towards ARE improving future life outcomes.

The impact on the accelerated progress in children’s early language, phonics and application into reading and writing. Oh… and the love of reading too… we mustn’t forget that!

There were my three but we must remember the use of a Juno in a classroom is so impactful in so many areas as you can read in the case study write up but the best thing for anyone to do it experience it for themselves. You can’t quite believe the phenomenal impact a Juno can have until you live and breathe it for yourselves.

When one teacher was asked if they were aware of the benefits a Juno could have for children, their response was: “Not at all – I had no idea! I just thought of it as being a speaker. I did not realise the benefits for children.

For more information head to gofrontrow.com or get in touch on 01698 208 268 or 07557 002 992 or email MRJW@gofrontrow.com.

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