Noise Pollution at Thomas Noise Pollution at Thomas Nelson Community CollegeNelson Community College

By: Allison Odom & Tony BumpersBy: Allison Odom & Tony Bumpers

Nacho TeamNacho Team

1. Introduction: Noise Pollution at TNCC1. Introduction: Noise Pollution at TNCC

• There are four main noise pollution problems at Thomas Nelson. There are four main noise pollution problems at Thomas Nelson.

1)1) The Jets from Langley Air Force BaseThe Jets from Langley Air Force Base

2)2) Highway noiseHighway noise

3)3) Hallway/ classroom noiseHallway/ classroom noise

4)4) The ventilation systemsThe ventilation systems

• In this presentation we will be discussing these four problems and how they In this presentation we will be discussing these four problems and how they

effect students and instructors at TNCC. effect students and instructors at TNCC.

The Effects of Noise Pollution on StudentsThe Effects of Noise Pollution on Students

• With sounds coming from the hallways, outside, and in the classroom itself it is apparent that With sounds coming from the hallways, outside, and in the classroom itself it is apparent that

we have problems coping with the daily distractions we face while we are in class. we have problems coping with the daily distractions we face while we are in class.

• Students tend to become confused easier, or only hear part of what the instructor is saying.Students tend to become confused easier, or only hear part of what the instructor is saying.

• At TNCC, Jets from Langley Air force Base cross over our campus everyday, several times a At TNCC, Jets from Langley Air force Base cross over our campus everyday, several times a

day. The Jets create a frequency higher than what the human ear can hear. Therefore, even day. The Jets create a frequency higher than what the human ear can hear. Therefore, even

in the classrooms Jet noise can be heard.in the classrooms Jet noise can be heard.

• The ventilation systems in Diggs Hall on the Hampton Campus are also very loud. When The ventilation systems in Diggs Hall on the Hampton Campus are also very loud. When

they turn on it becomes hard for students in the back of the classroom to hear instructors and they turn on it becomes hard for students in the back of the classroom to hear instructors and

other students in the front of the room when they speak.other students in the front of the room when they speak.

Effects of Noise Pollution on InstructorsEffects of Noise Pollution on Instructors

• Instructors drowned out by noise outside the classroom or from the class members Instructors drowned out by noise outside the classroom or from the class members

themselves often find they have to stop teaching to address the problem. The more that themselves often find they have to stop teaching to address the problem. The more that

the lessons get interrupted, more interruptions means more lost information. The the lessons get interrupted, more interruptions means more lost information. The

instructors energy gets pushed towards eliminating the problem, rather than teaching instructors energy gets pushed towards eliminating the problem, rather than teaching

the information. the information.

• Whenever a student get distracted so does the instructor, because they notice when Whenever a student get distracted so does the instructor, because they notice when

students aren’t paying attention to them. Which, even if they say nothing, it still causes students aren’t paying attention to them. Which, even if they say nothing, it still causes

them for that brief time to lose focus. them for that brief time to lose focus.

Instructor QuestionnaireInstructor Questionnaire

Q1. I would like to make my lecture a Q1. I would like to make my lecture a more productive learning environment more productive learning environment for studentsfor students

Q2. I would like students to understand Q2. I would like students to understand everything I discuss in my lectureeverything I discuss in my lecture

Q3. During lectures, jet noise, highway Q3. During lectures, jet noise, highway noise, class/hallway noise, ventilation noise, class/hallway noise, ventilation noise is/are a common distractionnoise is/are a common distraction

Q4. I would be interested in learning Q4. I would be interested in learning how I could help control noise how I could help control noise distractions during my lecturesdistractions during my lectures

Student QuestionnaireStudent Questionnaire

Q1. I receive financial aid at TNCC.Q1. I receive financial aid at TNCC.

Q2. My learning is negatively affected Q2. My learning is negatively affected

by noise created by jets, the highway by noise created by jets, the highway

beside the campus, class/hallway beside the campus, class/hallway

noise, ventilation noise. noise, ventilation noise.

Q3. I would agree to a 10% tuition Q3. I would agree to a 10% tuition

increase for a proactive approach to increase for a proactive approach to

noise control at TNCC.noise control at TNCC.

Student Questionnaire (cont’d)Student Questionnaire (cont’d)

• Out of 38 students interviewed 23 Out of 38 students interviewed 23

have financial aid and 15 of them do have financial aid and 15 of them do

not. not.

Noise Cancelling TechniquesNoise Cancelling Techniques

• The use of fabric panels on walls in classrooms/hallways can decrease sound The use of fabric panels on walls in classrooms/hallways can decrease sound

vibrations. After comparing prices online (Acoustical Solutions Inc., 2013), we noticed vibrations. After comparing prices online (Acoustical Solutions Inc., 2013), we noticed

the price of 2x2 fabric panel to be typically $40-$60. The largest size panel available is a the price of 2x2 fabric panel to be typically $40-$60. The largest size panel available is a

4x10 with a price tag of $225-$322. 4x10 with a price tag of $225-$322.

• The best noise canceling headphones run from about $100-$400. The Bose Quiet The best noise canceling headphones run from about $100-$400. The Bose Quiet

Comfort 15 noise canceling headphones have the best sound and silencing capabilities Comfort 15 noise canceling headphones have the best sound and silencing capabilities

for anywhere from $269-$299.95. However, the Monoprice Noise Canceling for anywhere from $269-$299.95. However, the Monoprice Noise Canceling

Headphones are 70 percent as good as the Bose Quiet Comfort 15 headphones for a Headphones are 70 percent as good as the Bose Quiet Comfort 15 headphones for a

little less than a third of the price running at $112.59. little less than a third of the price running at $112.59.

ConclusionConclusion

• Faculty who have taught at TNCC for at least two semesters have a positive attitude Faculty who have taught at TNCC for at least two semesters have a positive attitude

toward a noise control policy. On a scale of 1-5 (with 1 = “strongly disagree” and 6 = toward a noise control policy. On a scale of 1-5 (with 1 = “strongly disagree” and 6 =

“strongly agree”) they feel that noise distractions can affect their lectures at TNCC. A “strongly agree”) they feel that noise distractions can affect their lectures at TNCC. A

majority were interested in learning ways to control noise distractions during their majority were interested in learning ways to control noise distractions during their

lectures.lectures.

• After surveying students we found that a fifth (18%) of students who are not receiving After surveying students we found that a fifth (18%) of students who are not receiving

financial aid would not mind an increase in tuition; compared to three quarters (77%) of financial aid would not mind an increase in tuition; compared to three quarters (77%) of

students who receive financial aid. There is a split decision among students on whether students who receive financial aid. There is a split decision among students on whether

they will be willing to pay a 10% increase in tuition.they will be willing to pay a 10% increase in tuition.