A whirling chorus of keyboard tapping and computer fans intensifies as students hurriedly complete their assignments due later in the afternoon. Those already finished talk and laugh among themselves in small groups, while the teacher raises her voice to tell off two rowdy boys wrestling in the corner.
A slightly off-key version of Greensleeves bellows from the music room next door as the groundsman hoses pigeon droppings off the lockers outside. The white noise of traffic, wind and nearby construction works provides the backing to this chaotic onslaught of sound, which is brought to a shrill crescendo by the screeching of the lunchtime bell.
Students face an uphill battle trying to concentrate an environment like this. Poor classroom acoustics hinders comprehension, strains the relationship between students and teachers and makes for a less enjoyable learning experience.
Many classrooms are designed with practicality and cost in mind, but the layout of the room as well as materials used for floors, walls and ceilings often results in an echo chamber with nothing to absorb sounds.
The key to lowering noise levels in any busy area is reducing the sound that reflects off walls and other objects, also known as echo or reverberation. Installing sound-absorbing material can have a huge impact on reducing the overall decibel count of your classroom, but with obstacles like glass windows, wall-length desks, whiteboards and cupboards in the way, it can be hard to figure out a solution.
Shop our Most Popular Categories
Here are 5 solutions to effectively reduce reverberation in your classroom:
Peel ‘n’ Stick Tiles
The easiest way to instantly lower reverberation in your space, Peel ‘n’ Stick Tiles are installed exactly how it sounds – peel back the film and stick straight to your walls! Mix and match from our range of colours to create a bright learning environment! Check out how Labrador State School have used Peel ‘n’ Stick Tiles in their classrooms.
Autex Composition
A versatile and heavy duty acoustic solution, Composition is a decorative wall fabric that is perfect for absorbing noise and preventing excessive reverberation. Easily installed on most surfaces, Composition is pinnable and Velcro-receptive, making it the perfect addition to any classroom. A.B. Paterson College, Durack Primary School and Musgrave Hill State School have all benefitted from the installation of Composition material.
Quietspace Panel
Engineered to absorb a minimum 85% of the sound energy that hits it, Quietspace Panel is lightweight, impact resistant and incredibly durable. With a variety of sizes and colours available, it can be customised to fit in perfectly to your classroom and ensure a more productive learning environment.
Cube Panel
Perfect for education environments, Autex Cube is a lightweight and semi-rigid panel that can be easily applied to walls to absorb sound and reduce the amount of noise reflected around the room. Available in two thicknesses, it is cut to size to help reduce reverberation in rooms of all shapes and sizes.
Quietspace Frontier
To classroom acoustics in larger spaces, the Autex Frontier range of hanging acoustic panels are a practical and visually striking solution. They can be suspended from the ceiling or directly fixed in place to suit your needs, and are available in five different designs.
Reducing the amount of reverberated noise in an education space is crucial in ensuring a productive and enjoyable learning environment for students and teachers. With so many options to choose from, it is easy to find the acoustic product to suit your needs!
Check out our dedicated Acoustics Page!
For exclusive educator discounts, visit our Education Hub!
