Effect of visual feedback on classroom noise levels

Abstract

This study explored the effect of visual feedback on classroom noise levels, using a SoundEar II device that monitors noise levels in real time with feedback on intensity levels using a lighting system. During phase one, noise levels from three classrooms in the same school were measured over 36 h of classroom activities. For phase two, six teachers from two schools completed a questionnaire describing their experiences using the device. Visual feedback resulted in a 1.4-dBA reduction in the average noise levels. Classroom noise levels were above 70 dBA for 33% of the time in the baseline period compared to 24% in the intervention period with visual feedback provided on noise levels. Teacher perceptions indicated that visual feedback was beneficial to classroom noise levels and positively influenced the behaviour of learners. Visual feedback reduced overall classroom noise and can provide a cost-effective, noninvasive tool to create a more enabling classroom environment.

Listening Effort in School-Aged Children With Limited Useable Hearing Unilaterally: Examining the Effects of a Personal, Digital Remote Microphone System and a Contralateral Routing of Signal System

“…In addition, the background noise level reflects possible noise levels that might be encountered in classrooms. Noise levels in occupied classrooms range from 56 to 76 dB(A) ( Shield & Dockrell, 2004 ) and often exceed 70 dB(A) in South African primary school classrooms ( Van Tonder et al., 2015 ). With moderate-level speech (60 dBA), the resultant SNRs would range from +4 to –16 dB ( Shield & Dockrell, 2004 ; Van Tonder et al., 2015 ).…”

Effects of an Ambient Learning Display on Noise Levels and Perceived Learning in a Secondary School

“…The decreasing cost of electronic components in the last years is facilitating the creation of commercial products to reduce noise levels in schools, open plan offices, hospitals, or industrial companies. One example is a recent study [60] that explored the effect of visual feedback on classroom noise levels using a SoundEar II device that monitors noise levels in real time with feedback on intensity levels using a 3-colors lighting system: green, yellow, and red. Noise levels from three primary school classrooms were measured over 36 hours of classroom activities.…”

“…In this case, teachers were instructed to take an action whenever the LED is not green (i.e., Yellow: Teacher must advise students that they should be concerned about the noise; Red: Teacher should be concerned about noise interference as continuous exposure may harm the teaching learning environment). Both commercial [60] and non-commercial solutions [61] were calibrated to provide the feedback according to the noise levels specified by the American standard [54].…”

“…Likewise, automated visual feedback systems can also moderate the noise levels in the classroom. Van Tonder [60] concluded that most teachers were able to keep classroom noise to a minimum with the help of SoundEarII. Similarly, [13], [61], [75] were able to reduce the average level of noise when the used the visual feedback system.…”

Academic benefits of wearing noise-cancelling headphones during class for typically developing students and students with special needs: A scoping review

“…For example, classroom behaviour management strategies such as the Good Behaviour Game reduce disruptive and challenging behaviours (Parsonson, 2012), which is, by implication, a reduction of the sound level. Compliance with acceptable sound levels can be a criterion for receiving a reward in the Good Behaviour Game (Radley et al, 2016), whereby sound is actually measured with a sound meter and students receive (visual) feedback on the appropriateness of the current sound level in class (Parsonson, 2012;Van Tonder et al, 2016), e.g., with a traffic light system. Relaxation training for students has also been shown to reduce noise in the classroom (Norlander et al, 2005).…”