Sound decisions improve learning
Nov 1, 1999 12:00 PM, Eddy Scott
Providing this background noise masks the ability of students to hear most distracting noises. These systems typically distribute sound in the neighborhood of 43 decibels, which effectively prohibits normal conversation from being overheard from one work area to the next.
Equipment such as computer printers should be separated, or enclosed within mobile, floor-to-ceiling walls. The goal is to eliminate the line of sight between a noise generator (the machine) and a noise receiver (the student).
Shield work areas and common areas from hard, flat walls and large windows. This can be done with acoustical wall panels placed between the reflective surface and the classroom work area. Otherwise, noise generated in the workstation will bounce directly off the window and into the common area.
Plug leaks between the door and the jamb. Even small openings can allow sound to escape.
By considering good acoustical planning, staff and students will be happier and more productive while teaching, studying and working.
To reduce reverberation time in arts and crafts, shop and science areas, schools should install sound absorbers, such as fiberglass ceiling tiles, to completely cover the ceiling. In these environments, a long reverberation time is a safety risk, because noise could prevent students from hearing warnings and urgent calls. The standard should be a reverberation time of 0.6 seconds. Sound absorbers should be used in walls, too.
In music rooms, or halls where speech alternates with music from a tape recorder, CD or video, the reverberation time should be no longer than 0.6 seconds.
If there is musical instruction using acoustic instruments, it can be an advantage to increase the reverberation time to get more sonorous sound reproduction. Schools can achieve this with the help of special sound absorbers.
In a gymnasium, jumping and running, bouncing balls, verbal encouragement, shouts and whistle signals create high sound levels that make communication difficult. In addition, sound bouncing between the high walls creates a so-called flutter echo.
When teaching is occurring, the reverberation time in a gymnasium or sports hall should not exceed 1.2 seconds. The ceiling surface must be made of a strong material in order to withstand impact,and also should be made of a material that exhibits excellent sound-control properties.
In an auditorium, where speech intelligibility is important, eliminating background sound is the goal. For larger lecture theatres and auditoriums, the reverberation time should not exceed 0.8 seconds. Sound absorbers in the ceiling and in the walls allow speech to be more distinct and background sound less disturbing.
In most classrooms, schools should install sound absorbers in the entire ceiling to reduce the reverberation time and increase the intelligibility of speech. The requirement for hearing speech fully is a short reverberation time-a maximum of 0.6 seconds, and preferably 0.4 to 0.5 seconds.
The school library should be an oasis of peace. Sound absorbers, in the ceiling and on the walls, dampen the sound level and provide quiet for individual studies.
In school cafeterias, for students to converse comfortably, the reverberation time should be reduced to 0.6 seconds.
To accomplish this, install sound absorbers in the ceiling. Curtains, fabrics, furniture and large plants also dampen sound. Or consider dividing the cafeteria into smaller, more inviting areas by using acoustic screens between the tables.
Staff or meeting rooms for teachers require good acoustics. Therefore, the entire ceiling surface should be covered with sound absorbers to reduce the reverberation time to 0.5 seconds.
