Acoustic Research in Education

Ecophon has a long history of supporting and participating in research on room acoustics and its impact on teaching and learning. Please also download and familiarise yourself with other studies below.

 

Classroom Acoustics research project by Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh, UK

A comprehensive and much referenced study into the effects of poor acoustics in classrooms in Primary schools. One of the first studies to demonstrate the high levels of noise in occupied classrooms due to poor acoustic conditions. Following acoustic improvements made to classrooms the background noise levels were reduced. This lead to better measured speech intelligibility and subjectively, classrooms with improved acoustics were favoured by teachers and pupils, who reported a greater ease of communication and increased performance. It was reported that staff would be less likely to take days off sick, and suffer voice and throat problems with the reduction in noise levels.  (not available as a download, please contact us for more information)
 

Acoustic Ergonomics of Schools research report by Bremen University, Germany.

The study centred on the “school as a workplace” and as such the workplace of teachers and pupils. The study shows the link between a reduction in noise and the reduction in teachers stress levels. It also demonstrates that sound level reduction in the occupied room is more dramatic with multi conversation activities such as groupwork.

Essex Study – Impact of different acoustic standards in school buildings on teaching and learning

Essex Council funded the research to examine the impact of three published standards on teaching and learning and get best value. This would lead to understanding the benefits of acoustic design appropriate for children with hearing impairments in mainstream classrooms and inform what was needed to create fully inclusive learning environments.
  
The NDCS (National Deaf Children’s Society) interim report from the study
Essex Study - watch the video
Watch this video to hear and see for yourself the difference good acoustic treatment has made to the staff and students at an English school.
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