Jones Middle School Elevates Student Voices with B&H Photo and OMNIA Partners

Location: Jones Middle School, Buford, GA - Gwinnett County Public Schools

Jones Middle School serves grades 6th through 8th grade with a current population of 1,800 students that continues to grow. They have a classroom that functions as a digital music lab where students create, record, and produce original work.

JMS intentionally implemented podcasting to connect Language Arts and Music Technology. Podasting allows students to practice skills in writing, scripting, speaking and revising while applying technical production skills at the same time. 

This is a key initiative to bridge literacy and media production in a way that feels authentic and relevant to students. Recently, JMS and Gwinnett County Public Schools leveraged the B&H Photo and OMNIA Partners' cooperative contract to refresh their podcasting space to better serve students and educators. 

What wasn't working? 

• "Our previous setup relied on Chromebook-based recording in the open lab. Equipment took too long to set up, did not consistently work across devices, and background noise from other students was frequently picked up during recordings. This reduced efficiency and limited the professional quality we were aiming for." 

What concerns did you have? 

• "In a school of over 1,800 students, efficiency matters. I needed a system that protected instructional time, produced consistent high-quality audio, and aligned with our AI-focused innovation goals." 

"Instead of purchasing multiple additional microphones for the open lab, I redesigned the workflow. I converted an unsued office into a dedicated recording space and selected the RODECaster Pro II as our recording hub. The RODECaster allows me to record up to four students quickly and efficiently with professional-level sound directly into Sountrap for Education." 

Implementation was straightforward - students can rotate in and out of the recording space while the rest of the class continues working. The streamlined setup minimizes downtime and keeps learning moving. 

Gwinnett County Public Schools (GCPS) is a forward-thinking, innovative district that continually invests in instructional technology integration to support teaching and learning. By leveraging the B&H Photo cooperative contract with OMNIA Partners, GCPS is able to efficiently acquire the tools and solutions needed to equip classrooms, empower educators, and expand access to technology for students. 

How are students using it now? 

• "Students script, rehearse, record, and edit audio segments connected to course content. They produce clean, professional-quality media across multiple project types." 

Positive impact? 

• "Audio quality improved immediately. More importantly, student confidence increased. When students hear themselves with professional clarity, they take greater ownership of their voice and their work. The dedicated space has also strengthened classroom management and preserved instructional time."

Get connected with a team member to learn about how leveraging the B&H Photo and OMNIA Partners cooperative contract can take your educational spaces to the next level.