title: A survey of acoustic conditions and noise levels in secondary school classrooms in England.
abstract: An acoustic survey of secondary schools in England has been undertaken. Room acoustic parameters and background noise levels were measured in 185 unoccupied spaces in 13 schools to provide information on the typical acoustic environment of secondary schools. The unoccupied acoustic and noise data were correlated with various physical characteristics of the spaces. Room height and the amount of glazing were related to the unoccupied reverberation time and therefore need to be controlled to reduce reverberation to suitable levels for teaching and learning. Further analysis of the unoccupied data showed that the introduction of legislation relating to school acoustics in England and Wales in 2003 approximately doubled the number of school spaces complying with current standards. Noise levels were also measured during 274 lessons to examine typical levels generated during teaching activities in secondary schools and to investigate the influence of acoustic design on working noise levels in the classroom. Comparison of unoccupied and occupied data showed that unoccupied acoustic conditions affect the noise levels occurring during lessons. They were also related to the time spent in disruption to the lessons (e.g., students talking or shouting) and so may also have an impact upon student behavior in the classroom.
authors.affiliation: Acoustics Group, Department of Urban Engineering, London South Bank University, London SE1 0AA, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Bridget
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Shield
authors.affiliation: Acoustics Group, Department of Urban Engineering, London South Bank University, London SE1 0AA, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Conetta
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology and Human Development, Institute of Education, London WC1H 0AA, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Julie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Dockrell
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology and Human Development, Institute of Education, London WC1H 0AA, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Connolly
authors.affiliation: Acoustics Research Centre, University of Salford, Salford M5 4WT, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Trevor
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Cox
authors.affiliation: Acoustics Research Centre, University of Salford, Salford M5 4WT, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Charles
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Mydlarz
mesh_terms: D000162:Acoustics; D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior; D004739:England; D005160:Facility Design and Construction / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D005430:Floors and Floorcoverings; D006802:Human Activities; D006801:Humans; D009622:Noise / Q000517:prevention & control; D012574:Schools / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D013067:Speech Perception; D013663:Teaching