How Better Classroom Surfaces Improve Speech in Hybrid Learning Spaces

What is it about?

Classrooms are places where students need to listen, communicate and participate effectively. However, poor sound conditions can make it difficult to understand lecturers and follow discussions, particularly in modern learning environments that support both face-to-face and collaborative activities. This research explores how the choice of interior materials, particularly those used on walls and ceilings, can improve the sound environment in university classrooms. Two classrooms of different sizes were investigated through actual acoustic measurements and computer simulations. The study examined how different interior surface treatments performed under conventional lecture-based and collaborative learning arrangements. The findings show that using sound-absorbing materials on ceilings and walls can significantly reduce unwanted sound reflections, making speech clearer and easier to understand. The improvements were observed across both classroom sizes and learning configurations. This research highlights that good classroom acoustics should not depend solely on microphones and audiovisual technology. The physical design of the classroom is equally important. By considering acoustic performance when selecting interior materials and planning learning spaces, universities can create more comfortable and effective environments for teaching, communication and learning.

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Photo by Changbok Ko on Unsplash

Photo by Changbok Ko on Unsplash

Why is it important?

The uniqueness of this research lies in its integration of architectural interior design and building acoustics to address the evolving requirements of contemporary higher education learning environments. While many existing approaches to hybrid learning emphasise digital technology and audiovisual equipment, this study demonstrates the importance of the physical classroom environment, particularly the selection and application of sound-absorbing wall and ceiling materials. A further contribution is the combination of actual acoustic field measurements and validated computer simulations to investigate two classroom sizes under conventional lecture-based and collaborative learning configurations. By examining reverberation time, speech intelligibility and speech clarity across multiple listening positions, the research provides a more comprehensive understanding of how interior surface treatments influence classroom acoustic performance. This research is particularly timely as universities continue to transform their teaching facilities to accommodate flexible, collaborative and technology-supported learning. Its findings offer practical evidence to help architects, interior designers, educational planners, and university facilities managers incorporate acoustic considerations into classroom planning, refurbishment, and design decisions. Ultimately, the study encourages a shift from treating acoustics as a technical afterthought towards recognising it as an essential component of effective learning environments.

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