Perception of indoor and outdoor school soundscapes: A large-scale Cross-Sectional survey with UK teachers

Advanced search
Browse by:

Department | Year

UCL Theses | Latest

Deposit your research

Perception of indoor and outdoor school soundscapes: A large-scale Cross-Sectional survey with UK teachers

Kurukose Cal, Hatice; Aletta, Francesco; Kang, Jian; (2025) Perception of indoor and outdoor school soundscapes: A large-scale Cross-Sectional survey with UK teachers. Applied Acoustics , 227 , Article 110219. 10.1016/j.apacoust.2024.110219. Green open access

[thumbnail of 1-s2.0-S0003682X24003700-main.pdf]

Preview

PDF
1-s2.0-S0003682X24003700-main.pdf - Other
Download (5MB) | Preview

Abstract

This study explores variations in teachers’ perception of indoor and outdoor soundscapes across different spaces within schools. A quantitative research design involved 452 teachers in the United Kingdom who participated in an online questionnaire. The questionnaire was distributed to UK teachers via random sampling on the Prolific platform, utilizing its customizable demographics for participant recruitment. A multi-method approach, combining closed- and open-ended questions, captured the multifaceted nature of soundscape perception. Participants reported on perceptions and experiences of school soundscapes in general areas, classrooms, hallways, dinner halls, playgrounds, and gyms. Findings reveal that schools are perceived as dynamic environments, characterized by a blend of chaos, engagement, and excitement, contradicting expectations of a calm atmosphere. Correlation analysis demonstrated weak associations between age and perceptions of the acoustic environment (rs([452])=[0.116]), as well as gender (rs([450])=[0.060]), teaching experience (rs([450])=[0.117]), school type (rs([450])=[− 0.109]), school location (rs([450])=[0.098]), time spent in outdoor places (rs([450])=[0.09]). A significant positive correlations were observed between wellbeing and the overall school soundscape (rs([450])=[0.286]), indicating that as self-reported wellbeing increases, the perceived quality of the school soundscape tends to increase. Differences were seen in the soundscapes of playgrounds, dinner halls, gyms, hallways, and classrooms compared to the overall school soundscape. These distinctions highlight varying levels of engagement, comfort, intrusiveness, and privacy across different areas, emphasizing the multifaceted nature of sound perception within schools. The study shows teachers use sound in education for different reasons and methods, with perceived impacts on student learning and wellbeing. It suggests the possibility of enhancing the educational experience through tailored interventions targeting specific areas in schools based on their unique soundscapes.

Type:	Article
Title:	Perception of indoor and outdoor school soundscapes: A large-scale Cross-Sectional survey with UK teachers
Open access status:	An open access version is available from UCL Discovery
DOI:	10.1016/j.apacoust.2024.110219
Publisher version:	http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.apacoust.2024.110219
Language:	English
Additional information:	© 2024 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd. under a Creative Commons license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
Keywords:	School soundscape, Teacher perception, Wellbeing, Acoustic comfort, Indoor soundscape, Soundscape Design
UCL classification:	UCL UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > UCL BEAMS UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > UCL BEAMS > Faculty of the Built Environment UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > UCL BEAMS > Faculty of the Built Environment > Bartlett School Env, Energy and Resources
URI:	https://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/10196241