Why a Classroom Acoustics Standard (ANSI 12.60-2010)? Comprehension!

just a thought.

Note: The new ANSI Standard 12.60, part 1 and part 2, applies to classrooms up to 20,000 ft3 (2,000 ft2 with a 10’ ceiling or equivalent volume.) For larger classrooms, only the sections below on reverberation and noise reduction are applicable. The ANSI Standard does not apply to natatoria, auditoria, music performance spaces, teleconferencing classrooms or special education classrooms for the severely acoustically challenged students which all require special acoustical design and treatment that is not within the scope of this standard. Part 1 applies to classrooms in Permanent Schools, Part 2 applies to modular or relocatable classrooms in the same size categories.

Studies have shown that students learn faster, and comprehend and retain more in the proper acoustic environments and this is even more critical for the youngest students who are still learning how to pronounce words.  A good acoustic environment is particularly important for students with hearing impairment or learning disabilities.

How effectively can students learn if they cannot both hear and understand their teachers? What can designers do to ensure the intelligibility of speech in the classroom?  It’s critical to recognize that good room acoustics and low background noise go hand in hand in achieving this successfully, and that they must both be addressed in tandem.

Insert Venn diagram here.

Comprehension and the resulting academic achievement requires concentration and focused attention.  To eliminate noise and distraction, it’s important for the designer to understand how  sound is transmitted into and throughout the classroom in  order to minimize distraction from background noise and to support audible speech.

Insert two graphs with some description of the data and reports.

We need to talk a bit about sound waves; their frequency, transmission, reflection, reverberation, absorption and about impact sound. In addition we need to discuss how sound travels, what constitutes noise, and suggest some simple control and mitigation strategies.

Add in the resources (references) on studies  that support this work.

Advertisement