St Francis Xavier's School Year 5 and 6 pupils in all parts of the classroom can hear principal and teacher Bernadette Murfitt with the help of a sound field system.
Sound system boosts classroom performance
Researchers have found that connecting teachers to a sound system can dramatically improve pupils' test results and reduce classroom disruption.Using a microphone and a radio transmitter, what the teacher says is broadcast using speakers around the room. Pupils are able to hear more clearly, and teachers do not strain their voices.
Dr Stuart McLaren from the Institute of Food, Nutrition and Human Health and Dr Steve Humphries from the School of Psychology surveyed teachers and tested pupils and classroom acoustics at primary schools in Auckland and Wellington.
Tests given to pupils when the system was in use showed an increase of up to 60 per cent more correct answers.
Teachers also reported significant improvements in attention, co-operation and understanding of verbal instructions among pupils, major improvements in behaviour and quieter classrooms. They also noticed they were less likely to strain their voices to be heard and, as a result, were less likely to become tired.
The research was funded by a private education trust, which is considering investing in sound field systems. Installation of the system costs between $1500 and $2000 per classroom.
In one classroom in the trial, pupils' ability to hear and interpret instructions from the teacher was tested with and without the system.
Dr McLaren says the research differs from previous New Zealand studies in that it tested systems when noise was introduced to the classroom to imitate heavy traffic and heavy rain. Even in quiet conditions, with pupils listening attentively, a significant improvement was noted with the number of correct scores in the listening test obtained with the system turned on. In a noisy classroom, results were more dramatic.
St Francis Xavier's School in Tawa took part in the research.
Principal and teacher Bernadette Murfitt says the system, which has been installed for nearly two years, is easy to use and means every child is able to hear his or her teacher speak. "It's made a big difference for our children."
Dr McLaren says the positive feedback from teachers was echoed by the pupils at the Auckland school were the research was conducted. “Their disappointment when they learnt the system was only on trial and might be removed said it all,” he says.
Dr McLaren, who researched noise levels in early childhood education centres for his PhD, is now keen to investigate the use of sound field systems in early childhood centres.
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Created: 18/08/2008 | Last updated: 19/08/2008
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