The psychological impact of ambient noise on teaching and learning activities / Raudhatun Na'imah Sharudin

Introduction: Environmental noise is an unwanted sounds that emitted from all sources in our communities except the one that originated in the workplace. Poor acoustics environment in schools are known to give impact to students’ learning and teachers’ teaching activities. Noisy environment in school can affect speech understanding and reading ability, attention, concentration and academic achievement. There are many schools in Malaysia were located near to highways which increase the tendency for them to face a noise pollution problems. Objective: The aim of this study is to investigate the psychological impact of ambient noise on teaching and learning activities in classroom. Along with to determine the relationship between ambient noise and the effect on teaching and learning activity. Methodology: Noise level is measured by using a Sound Level Meter where it will be recording noise level around the school boundary, school spaces and inside classrooms during school hours. The psychological impact of noise is measured using a set of questionnaire which distributed to teachers and students group. Result: The results of this study shows that there were relationship between ambient noise and teaching and learning activities where students response that their concentration can easily be broken when its noisy and they are most sensitive to noise when taking examination. Teachers’ response that the impact of noise makes the students in class distracted, lose focus on important part during lesson and the teachers have to speak louder. The level of noise obtained from this study have exceeded the permissible sound level by Department of Environmental which is 65 dB (A). Conclusion: There was a significant relationship between ambient noise and teaching and learning activities in classroom. Hence, it can be conclude that the ambient noise can affect the students’ concentrations in learning activities and teachers’ teaching activities. A proper noise management and plan must take into consideration.