The effect of soundscape on the students' perception in the high school environment

Abstract

In 2014, ISO 12913-1 standard was established for the conceptual soundscape framework to assess soundscape studies. According to this framework, soundscape process includes the examination of acoustic environment and its sound sources, and their influences on the humans' auditory sensation, as to react that, humans' interpretation of auditory sensation, responses and outcomes. Aim of the study is to create this conceptual soundscape framework in high-school environment and to examine the effect of soundscape on the students' perception. The study was conducted in two spaces as classroom and computer laboratory with 30 students in Bilkent High School; Ankara. To understand acoustic environment, in-situ measurements were conducted. Moreover, semi-structure interview results were evaluated to understand the students' perception of soundscape. Generated conceptual framework revealed different relations between students' perception and sound preferences. Students mostly expect to hear speech in classroom whilst computer fan sound in computer laboratory. Moreover, the most positive sound sources are birds singing in classroom whilst laughter in computer laboratory. Speech is found as most negative sound source in both spaces. Students responded these sound sources with positive approaches such as promoting the relaxation, interaction and with negative approaches such as distraction and annoyance. © 2016, German Acoustical Society (DEGA). All rights reserved.