The impact of poor Classroom acoustics on student’s attention and lecturers teaching ability at Midlands State University.

Abstract

The researcher sought to study the impact of poor classroom acoustics on student’s attention and lecturer’s teaching ability on Midlands State University. The research made use of various related researches and literature in order to appreciate the thoughts of the scholar who have targeted this area of study. The researcher also made use of two theories of attention in attempt to further his research. The researcher used a quantitative approach to research on this topic.The research is going to target students and lecturers who make use of the Multipurpose Hall to conduct lectures. Random stratified sampling technique is going to be applied by the researcher in order to identify participant in the research. Four level 1.2 classes from four different departments will be used and identified as individual strata. These strata include Psychology, Human Resources Management, Local Governance and Development Studies. The sample of thirty percent of each class was established through randomly distributing close ended questionnaires. The data collected was presented in tables, chart and graphs and interpreted descriptively. The data established that students are affect by background noise which the building fails to eliminate as there attention is wavered away from the lecture. Lecturer identified voice strain as an occupational hazard which affects their ability to conduct their lectures. The researcher offers recommendations to Midlands state University to rectify the problem of excessive noise and visual distraction permitted in by the Multipurpose Hall.