Guest post by Deniss Mironovs, acoustic consultant at Akukon / Researcher at RTU / PhD Introduction Speech Intelligibility is one of the main attributes of a well-functioning classroom or auditorium. It is widely known, that learning outcomes depend on the acoustical conditions of the classrooms. Common practice is to use reverberation time RT as a […]
schools
Classroom Noise: How Activities Shape the Sound Environment
A guest post by Chiara Visentin, a researcher at the University of Ferrara, Italy Background While noise sources like traffic or ventilation systems can contribute to classroom acoustics, in primary schools the dominant and most persistent sound is the students’ own activity and communication. Talking, moving, shifting chairs and desks all contribute to a highly dynamic […]
The problems of open learning environments are not high sound levels but other disturbances caused by school activities
Study by Turku University of Applied Sciences Study overview A new study published in Building and Environment and recently presented at Forum Acousticum Euronoise 2025 in Malaga found that teaching staff were dissatisfied with open and flexible learning spaces, even though the sound levels during activities were slightly lower in open than in traditional enclosed […]
The Impact of Noise on the Learning of Children and Adolescents
Recent research published by Universitat Rovira i Virgili [1] presents a meta-analysis reviewing the impact of noise on the academic and cognitive performance of non-university students. This meta-analysis compiles the most important and significant findings from numerous research studies conducted worldwide and confirms what much of the educational community and many parents had suspected: noise […]
New study to investigate students’ attitudes towards sound environments at their school
Researchers in sound environment design at KTH, will conduct a pilot study on students’ attitudes towards sound environments at Gantofta School Martin Ljungdahl, postdoctoral researcher and researcher in sound environment design at KTH, Institute of Technology in Stockholm, will conduct a pilot study on sound environments at Gantofta School in Helsingborg. To find out how […]
How Sound Shapes Our Schools: Teachers’ Perceptions of School Soundscapes
Guest post by Hatice Kurukose Cal, Phd candidate, Institute for Environmental Design and Engineering, UCL, UK Teachers play a key role in shaping the soundscape of a school, but how do they perceive the acoustics around them, and how does it impact their work? Our research delves into UK teachers’ perceptions of school soundscapes, exploring how […]
How noise affects decision-making
Noise has always been seen as a challenge in workplaces, but its impact on decision-making—especially in experience-based judgments—is not yet fully understood. This article looks at two research studies that explore how noise affects decision-making and the practical implications of their findings. Why room acoustics matter in decision making Efficient decision-making is essential in workplace […]
The Impact of Ceiling Profiles on Room Acoustics
Introduction The project aims to explore an underutilized aspect of acoustic optimization: the geometric design of ceilings profiles. While material-based solutions have been extensively studied and implemented, ceiling geometry offers a largely untapped opportunity. Research has consistently shown that ceilings significantly influence room acoustics. However, they are often treated as static, planar elements designed primarily […]
Salvation for civilization – could better listening be part of the solution….
“Listen to understand. Audioeducation for schools” A new book for teachers “Listen to understand. Audioeducation for schools” has been written to support teachers to create better conditions for deeper learning. We are living in a society which has increasing difficulty with attentive listening. Due to this, we talk over each other and argue instead of […]
Remodelling of open plan De Werkplaats primary school – acoustic design and operational challenges
Introduction De Werkplaats in Bilthoven, (NL) inspired by Kees Boeke’s educational philosophy, was designed as a progressive primary school with open learning environments. The aim: to stimulate collaboration, autonomy and inclusivity. In practice, however, the open spaces proved to pose considerable acoustic and organisational challenges. This led to a large-scale remodel, during which objective and […]
