You might wonder, “Why are students so loud?” There are a few reasons why students tend to be so noisy in class. You can try dimming the lights and reducing the volume of the room. You can also introduce the idea of using quiet signals and creating a voice level chart. These are some of the methods that teachers have used to reduce student noise levels.
Lessening the noise level
One of the most common sources of noise in classrooms is students talking. When students are working in groups, the noise level in the room can increase significantly. In addition to affecting comprehension, it can also affect the students’ concentration. Lessening the noise level in a classroom can improve the overall learning environment.
Recent studies suggest that excessive noise has negative effects on human health and learning. Consequently, it is essential to reduce the noise level in a classroom. Noise pollution is an important issue in cities and is a major cause of health problems, including hearing loss. Studies show that noise levels above 35 decibels can impair a student’s cognitive abilities. This impact is more pronounced in schools with open-plan designs and those that are located near external sources of noise.
The psychological effects of noise on students include poor concentration, anger, and laziness. However, the most significant impact of noise on students is reduced focus during class. It also reduces their overall achievement and performance.
Dimming the lights
A teacher can create a calming environment by dimming the lights or using natural light in the classroom. Natural light has a calming effect on students and can reduce the amount of visual stimulation. Teachers can also use LED lights in their classrooms to match the tasks or the mood of the class. This method can reduce the visual stimulus in the classroom and encourage students to develop their self-regulation and inhibition.
A dimming switch reduces the voltage to the light bulb, which reduces the amount of energy going to the bulb. The reduced voltage cools the filament instead of excites it, which can cause a buzzing sound. You can also consider using a rough-service bulb that has a more sturdy filament.
Teaching quiet signals
One of the biggest challenges that teachers face is teaching students how to respond to quiet signals. Students must be taught to respond quickly to the quiet signal and focus on the teacher. To help students learn this skill, teachers use a variety of quiet signals. These can include clapping patterns, clear verbal signals, and squeeze toys. To use them effectively, teachers should practice them on their students to ensure that they are effective.
One way to teach students quiet signals is by allowing them to use a hand bell. This way, if a student makes too much noise, they will realize that the bell is going off. Another method of signaling that students need to be quiet is to instruct them to put their finger on their lips and say, “shh.” This process will usually take a few seconds before students are able to sit quietly.
Another method is to use a game that requires the students to remain quiet. One such game is “Too Noisy” (available on Amazon and eBay), which helps the students stay quiet. But this strategy might not be effective for all classes. Sometimes students are just full of energy and need to vent their energy.
Creating a voice level chart
Creating a voice level chart for students can be an effective strategy for educating them about appropriate voice levels. The charts can be displayed throughout the classroom so students are reminded to use their voices at appropriate levels. The charts can also serve as fun activities that encourage students to think of different situations when they might need to use a lower voice level.
The voice level of students varies from classroom to classroom and teacher to teacher. Therefore, teachers need to explain the appropriate level to students and list different situations in the school. For example, in the classroom, students may need to use a whispered voice while speaking with a group of other students.
Teachers should create a voice level chart for students so they can learn about the proper volume levels. The chart should have three columns. The first column should be called “quiet.” The second column should be labeled “loud.” The third column can be marked with an appropriate volume.
