Higher Ed Classroom 2025/6: Listen Technologies

By ( AVTechnology ) published

Mikey Shaffer, Senior Director of Sales at Listen Technologies, shares insights on emerging trends and how AV/IT technologies are reshaping higher education classrooms and beyond.

Mikey Shaffer, Senior Director of Sales at Listen Technologies
(Image credit: Getty Images)

AVT Question: Please share your insights into emerging trends and how AV/IT technologies are reshaping the higher education classroom and beyond.

Thought Leader: Mikey Shaffer, Senior Director of Sales at Listen Technologies

Personalized learning and flexibility continue to lead the evolution of higher education. Today’s students expect content to be accessible anytime, anywhere, and on any device—making bring your own device (BYOD) more critical than ever. Technologies that deliver high-quality audio directly to personal devices are at the forefront of this shift.

AV and IT teams benefit from scalable, campus-wide solutions that reduce hardware dependency and simplify system management." —Mikey Shaffer, Senior Director of Sales at Listen Technologies

Solutions like audio over Wi-Fi and emerging innovations such as Auracast broadcast audio are transforming how students engage with lectures, presentations, and campus events. These tools enable students to access live or recorded audio through smartphones or Bluetooth-enabled hearing aids and earbuds—removing barriers to participation and fostering inclusivity.

At the same time, AV and IT teams benefit from scalable, campus-wide solutions that reduce hardware dependency and simplify system management. As institutions continue to prioritize accessibility, flexibility, and student engagement, technologies that enhance audio delivery will be essential in shaping the future of learning.

Cindy Davis
Cindy Davis
Brand and content director of AV Technology

Cindy Davis is the brand and content director of AV Technology (AVT). She was a critical member of the AVT editorial team when the title won the “Best Media Brand” laurel in the 2018 SIIA Jesse H. Neal Awards. Davis moderates several monthly AV/IT roundtables and enjoys facilitating and engaging in deeper conversations about the complex topics shaping the ever-evolving AV/IT industry. She explores the ethos of collaboration, hybrid workplaces, experiential spaces, and artificial intelligence to share with readers. Previously, she developed the TechDecisions brand of content sites for EH Publishing, named one of the “10 Great Business Media Websites” by B2B Media Business magazine. For more than 25 years, Davis has developed and delivered multiplatform content for AV/IT B2B and consumer electronics B2C publications, associations, and companies. A lifelong New Englander, Davis makes time for coastal hikes with her husband, Gary, and their Vizsla rescue, Dixie, sailing on one of Gloucester’s great schooners and sampling local IPAs. Connect with her on LinkedIn.