In Acoustical Research
Classrooms can hugely benefit from the use of passive acoustical technology.
Many contemporary classroom designs are not yet benefitting from the growing wealth of technology available to improve educational environments. When creating a learning space, there are several new approaches that can be utilized to increase the effectiveness of the space and improve its impact on the students. One such tool is the use of adjustable intensity and color lighting, which has been shown to increase reading speeds, cut down on testing errors, and even have some impact on hyperactivity. Similarly, new, more balanced approaches in passive acoustical design of education spaces can provide improvements in the projection, audibility and intelligibility of the lessons and conversations that take place throughout the learning day. Current approaches towards acoustical design in classrooms primarily involve adding sound absorption, such as an acoustical tile ceiling. While this can generally solve the problem of excess reverberation in a small space, it also removes valuable early reflections that reduce critical speech energy unnecessarily. To improve upon this approach, a proper blend of absorptive, diffusive and reflective surfaces throughout the learning space can yield improved speech levels and content without having to rely on electronic enhancement systems. This means more information is conveyed to every student at all times, not just the ones sitting closest to the teacher, and not only when the microphone is turned on. An absorption only approach cannot address all of the nuances of acoustical needs which now can be addressed. A balanced design that successfully combines all passive acoustical surface technologies available – absorptive, diffusive, reflective – comprises a hybrid approach that is the future of acoustics in educational environments.
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