Influence of classroom soundscape on learning attitude

Abstract

This study aims to investigate the interaction between acoustical and psychological features in the perception of soundscape to improve the learning attitude. Sound measurements were performed in nine classrooms in three Hong Kong’s higher education institutions and questionnaires were used to collect responses from 209 students who attended lectures. The measured sound levels ranged from LAeq 55.20 to 73.55 dB. The corresponding values of loudness ranged from 2.78 to 12.5 sones and fluctuation strengths ranged from 1.17 to 2.33 vacils. Students indicated that anthropogenic sounds such as people shouting, playing, and talking were quite frequent and unpleasant. The results of structural equation modelling showed that classroom acoustical environments with lower sound levels, loudness, and fluctuation strengths would positively influence acoustical perceptions, encompassing acoustical comfort, acoustical calmness, acoustical satisfaction, and hearing of natural sounds while students’ favourable acoustical perceptions promoted their learning attitude. The findings of the study confirmed that anthropogenic sounds negatively affected students’ learning attitude in the higher education context.