Noise Pollution at Thomas Nelson Community College By: Allison Odom & Tony Bumpers Nacho Team

1. 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)The Jets from Langley Air Force Base 2)Highway noise 3)Hallway/ classroom noise 4)The ventilation systems In this presentation we will be discussing these four problems and how they effect students and instructors at TNCC. In this presentation we will be discussing these four problems and how they effect students and instructors at TNCC.

The Effects of Noise Pollution on Students 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.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. 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 day. The Jets create a frequency higher than what the human ear can hear. Therefore, even in the classrooms Jet noise can be heard.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 in the classrooms Jet noise can be heard. 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 other students in the front of the room when they speak.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 other students in the front of the room when they speak.

Effects of Noise Pollution on Instructors 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 the lessons get interrupted, more interruptions means more lost information. The instructors energy gets pushed towards eliminating the problem, rather than teaching the information.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 the lessons get interrupted, more interruptions means more lost information. The instructors energy gets pushed towards eliminating the problem, rather than teaching the information. 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 them for that brief time to lose focus.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 them for that brief time to lose focus.

Instructor Questionnaire Q1. I would like to make my lecture a more productive learning environment for students Q2. I would like students to understand everything I discuss in my lecture Q3. During lectures, jet noise, highway noise, class/hallway noise, ventilation noise is/are a common distraction Q4. I would be interested in learning how I could help control noise distractions during my lectures

Student Questionnaire Q1. I receive financial aid at TNCC. Q2. My learning is negatively affected by noise created by jets, the highway beside the campus, class/hallway noise, ventilation noise. Q3. I would agree to a 10% tuition increase for a proactive approach to noise control at TNCC.

Student Questionnaire (cont’d) Out of 38 students interviewed 23 have financial aid and 15 of them do not.

Noise Cancelling Techniques The use of fabric panels on walls in classrooms/hallways can decrease sound 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 4x10 with a price tag of $225-$322.The use of fabric panels on walls in classrooms/hallways can decrease sound 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 4x10 with a price tag of $225-$322. 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 for anywhere from $269-$ However, the Monoprice Noise Canceling 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 $ 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 for anywhere from $269-$ However, the Monoprice Noise Canceling 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 $

Conclusion 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 = “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 lectures.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 = “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 lectures. 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 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.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 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.