Room Acoustics Intervention Efficacy Measures

Inappropriate classroom acoustics can compromise educational performance. It is imperative that whenever modifications of the classroom environment are conducted (to reduce classroom noise and reverberation levels) that the efficacy of those procedures is measured. Efficacy refers to the extrinsic and intrinsic value of the change or modification. This article examines various objective and subjective methodological procedures to assess the efficacy of classroom acoustical modifications. Specifically, the following areas of efficacy are discussed: (1) educational performance measures, (2) acoustic measures, (3) objective/subjective speech perception measures, and (4) functional assessments. Theoretical and educational implications of these various efficacy measures are addressed.

KEYWORDS

Efficacy - acoustic measures - behavioral measures

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