Proper acoustics in the classroom provide a direct link from the educator's mouth to the student's ears - without distraction.
Providing the right environment in the classroom is a key component to learning. Teachers and schools spend much time, money and effort on classroom layout, lighting, and visuals, but they often overlook the importance of acoustics in the classroom. Classrooms with excessive noise reverberation can make it difficult for students to hear. When it's difficult for students to hear, they often lose focus. This also places an additional burden on students with learning disabilities.
The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) finds the topic of acoustics in an educational setting to be so important that in their published Guidelines for Acoustics in Educational Settings they mention the following four tenets:
There are children in every classroom, especially in the early grades that either cannot hear well and/or cannot process speech and language well.
Not hearing and/or processing well negatively impacts student listening and learning, especially learning to read.
Low teacher voice level, excessive background noise level, and excessive reverberation exacerbate listening and learning problems.
Improvement in classroom acoustics may require solutions involving architectural design, and/or acoustical modifications, and in special cases, hearing assistive technologies.
They use these tenets as the basis for their recommendations on proper acoustics for listening and learning in educational settings. Fortunately, we are experts at addressing the sound control needs of schools, universities, and individual classrooms. We also understand that within a school, different classrooms have different sound requirements. Music rooms, gymnasiums, cafeterias, libraries, and classrooms can all differ in their desired acoustical treatments.
As former kids ourselves, we know how hard kids can be on equipment. That's why in areas such as gymnasiums and cafeterias, durability should come to mind. The Snap-tex system that we offer is a very durable product and perfect for schools and universities. Fabric replacement is easy and affordable should the space be updated or the fabric be stained in any way.
Often a few simple fixes is all it takes to make a world of difference in the noise performance of a given space. By controlling a room's sound and enhancing the environment, we can help to maximize the learning experience for both teachers and students.