Teaching has changed and so have learning approaches of our children. The school is no longer the place for endless teacher monologues and our children are expected to participate in discussions, in group work and in cross discipline projects. Mainstream teaching today is not the same as it was only 15 years ago and the […]
Education
Combination of Absorbers and Diffusers – An Experimental Study in a Classroom
This study provides information on how different acoustic treatments can be used to obtain different room acoustic qualities, and can be used to improve and fine-tune the room acoustic parameters for better speech and listening conditions in classrooms. The background overview The most common acoustical treatment in ordinary classrooms is a suspended sound absorbing ceiling. […]
Breaking the “sound barrier to science” at Winchester Science Centre
In the International Year of Sound, new acoustic solutions will make the Centre accessible for all The small but beautiful city of Winchester was once the capital of England. Winchester Science Centre, a more modern addition to the city, is on a mission to make STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) accessible to everyone. Over […]
Heart rate is a medically recognised stressor – Noise reduction gives teachers a significant long-term benefit
This is not new, however it is a fundamental aspect to consider when designing optimal sustainable indoor environments. By measuring/recording the heart rate of teachers, an indicator of stress was apparent in lessons and also over a longer more sustained period. Here is a short insight overview on stress as stated by ASA (American Heart […]
New Podcast series now available as part of the Quiet Mark new Acoustics Academy initiative
We proudly share a new podcast interview with Shane Cryer, our Concept Developer for Educational Environments which is hosted by Simon Gosling, CSO at Quiet Mark, the global award programme associated with the UK Noise Abatement Society. This podcast is part of a series uniquely exploring the vital role acoustics plays in the future of […]
How close are we to understanding how buildings affect our emotion?
Having met Isabella Bower while she was a research associate with the research team LEaRN we have been following her own research about how buildings affect our emotion. So we asked her to share insights from her research examining how design characteristics of buildings modulate neural networks involved in emotion regulation. Isabella’s work explores what […]
Multipurpose spaces function much better for their activities after acoustic improvements
The Municipal Music School of Pinto, in Madrid was in need of improving the acoustics of its facilities in order to further motivate its students and offer teachers a healthier work environment. More specifically, a multipurpose room as well as the entrance hall were treated with “Class A” absorbing acoustic solutions acoustic solutions. The latter […]
Collaboration with education guru, Prof. Stephen Heppell to refurbish a Victorian Primary School.
Victorian schools (Queen Victoria: 1837 – 1901) in Britain originate from the 1870 Elementary Education Act , which made primary school education compulsory. This required the quick construction of a large number of schools, in both large, industrialised cities to leafy green villages. However, unlike the quick build, off-site schools of the 1970’s, Victorian schools […]
Improving access to listening in mainstream schools – Reasonable adjustments for acoustic design
Improving Access to Listening in Mainstream Schools There is now a student with special hearing or communication needs (SHCN) for every classroom in the UK. With more than 70% of lessons given vocally by our teachers, the opportunity to hear clearly and understand (even with cochlear implants) is one of the most important activities within […]
The impact of noise in education – a research summary
This new research summary is now available and lifts out evidence from a variety of research studies around the world. These studies address a broad range of important aspects which need to be considered in learning environments. It is based on a recent extensive literature review by Professor Emerita Bridget Shield made for Ecophon. We […]
