Human-made sounds in informal learning spaces on a university campus
Abstract
The university property management department has been facing a challenge with the strategic management of campus spaces due to the need for informal learning spaces (ILSs) to facilitate students’ independent studies. However, there’s limited research on how these ILSs perform, particularly concerning human-made sounds. This study delves into the impact of human-made sounds on students, considering their individual differences and positive experiences in various types of ILSs within an Australian university campus. The investigation includes open-ended questions to delve deeper into students’ positive experiences with human-made sounds across different ILSs. The research findings demonstrate that the impact of human-made sounds on students is influenced by certain individual characteristics. Additionally, the study identifies three types of positive experiences regarding human-made sounds in ILSs for students: a sense of relaxation induced by human-made sounds, the sound-masking effect, and increased motivation for learning. This study could assist university property managers in understanding students’ perceptions of human-made sounds and aid in strategic management of campus space that aligns with students’ needs and preferences for ILSs, improving the overall learning environment and support student success.
Keyword : human-made sound, individual characteristic, informal learning space, questionnaire survey, thematic analysis, university campus
How to Cite
Zhang, J., Ding, D., Chen, J., Liu, C., Luther, M., Zhao, J., & Liu, C. (2024). Human-made sounds in informal learning spaces on a university campus. International Journal of Strategic Property Management, 28(6), 369–380. https://doi.org/10.3846/ijspm.2024.22471
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
References
Acun, V., & Yilmazer, S. (2018). A grounded theory approach to investigate the perceived soundscape of open-plan offices. Applied Acoustics, 131, 28–37. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apacoust.2017.09.018
Anggiani, M., & Heryanto, B. (2018). A study of informal space on campus by looking at student preferences. IOP Conference Series Materials Science and Engineering, 453, Article 012029. https://doi.org/10.1088/1757-899X/453/1/012029
Astolfi, A., & Pellerey, F. (2008). Subjective and objective assessment of acoustical and overall environmental quality in secondary school classrooms. The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America, 123(1), 163–173. https://doi.org/10.1121/1.2816563
Banbury, S. P., & Berry, D. C. (2005). Office noise and employee concentration: Identifying causes of disruption and potential improvements. Ergonomics, 48(1), 25–37. https://doi.org/10.1080/00140130412331311390
Bansal, S., Biswas, S., & Singh, S. K. (2019). Holistic assessment of existing buildings: Indian context. Journal of Building Engineering, 25, Article 100793. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jobe.2019.100793
Beckers, R., Van der Voordt, T., & Dewulf, G. (2016). Learning space preferences of higher education students. Building and Environment, 104, 243–252. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.buildenv.2016.05.013
Beh, H. J., Rashidi, A., Talei, A., & Lee, Y. S. (2022). Developing engineering students’ capabilities through game-based virtual reality technology for building utility inspection. Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, 29(7), 2854–2877. https://doi.org/10.1108/ECAM-02-2021-0174
Bennett, S. (2007). First questions for designing higher education learning spaces. The Journal of Academic Librarianship, 33(1), 14–26. https://doi.org/10.1353/pla.2011.0033
Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2006). Using thematic analysis in psychology. Qualitative Research in Psychology, 3(2), 77–101. https://doi.org/10.1191/1478088706qp063oa
Broadbent, D. E. (1978). The current state of noise research: Reply to poulton. Psychological Bulletin, 85(5), 1052–1067. https://doi.org/10.1037/0033-2909.85.5.1052
Cunningham, M., & Walton, G. (2016). Informal learning spaces (ILS) in university libraries and their campuses: A Loughborough University case study. New Library World, 117(1/2), 49–62. https://doi.org/10.1108/NLW-04-2015-0031
Hong, S., Kim, Y., & Yang, E. (2022). Indoor environment and student productivity for individual and collaborative work in learning commons: A case study. Library Management, 43, 15–34. https://doi.org/10.1108/LM-06-2021-0055
Hsu, C. H. C., Chin, D. C. W., & Yau, O. K. T. (2022). Usage of informal learning spaces among students from academic units with versus without dedicated buildings on campus. Journal of Learning Spaces, 11(1), 1–12.
Hunter, J., & Cox, A. (2014). Learning over tea! Studying in informal learning spaces. New Library World, 115(1/2), 34–50. https://doi.org/10.1108/NLW-08-2013-0063
Jo, H. I., & Jeon, J. Y. (2022). Influence of indoor soundscape perception based on audiovisual contents on work-related quality with preference and perceived productivity in open-plan offices. Building and Environment, 208, Article 108598. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.buildenv.2021.108598
Kaklauskas, A., Daniūnas, A., Amaratunga, D., Urbonas, V., Lill, L., Gudauskas, R., D’amato, M., Trinkūnas, V., & Jackutė, I. (2012). Life cycle process model of a market-oriented and student centered higher eudcation. International Journal of Strategic Property Management, 16(4), 414–430. https://doi.org/10.3846/1648715X.2012.750631
Kang, S., Ou, D., & Mak, C. M. (2017). The impact of indoor environmental quality on work productivity in university open-plan research offices. Building and Environment, 124, 78–89. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.buildenv.2017.07.003
King, J. G. (2016). Extended and experimenting: Library learning commons service strategy and sustainability. Library Management, 37(4/5), 265–274. https://doi.org/10.1108/LM-04-2016-0028
Lee, S.-M., Park, C.-J., & Haan, C.-H. (2022). Investigation of the appropriate reverberation time in learning spaces for elderly people using speech intelligibility tests. Buildings, 12, Article 1943. https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings12111943
Li, Z., Zhang, Q., Fan, F., & Shen, S. (2021). A comprehensive comfort assessment method for indoor environmental quality in university open-plan offices in severe cold regions. Building and Environment, 197, Article 107845. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.buildenv.2021.107845
Mahbub, A. S., Kua, H.-W., & Lee, S.-E. (2010). A total building performance approach to evaluating building acoustics performance. Architectural Science Review, 53(2), 213–223. https://doi.org/10.3763/asre.2009.0032
Matthews, K. E., Andrews, V., & Adams, P. (2011). Social learning spaces and student engagement. Higher Education Research & Development, 30(2), 105–120. https://doi.org/10.1080/07294360.2010.512629
Minichilli, F., Gorini, F., Ascari, E., Bianchi, F., Coi, A., Fredianelli, L., Licitra, G., Manzoli, F., Mezzasalma, L., & Cori, L. (2018). Annoyance judgment and measurements of environmental noise: A focus on Italian secondary schools. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 15(2), Article 208. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph15020208
Montgomery, S. E. (2014). Library space assessment: User learning behaviors in the library. The Journal of Academic Librarianship, 40(1), 70–75. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.acalib.2013.11.003
Nja, C. O., Anari, M. I., Erim, C. M., Idiege, K. J., Ilhami, A., Ukah, J. U., Eneyo, O. E., Uwe, U. E., & Cornelius-Ukpepi, B. U. (2023). Learning space, students’ collaboration, educational outcomes, and interest: Exploring the physical, social and psychological mediators. Heliyon, 9(4), Article e15456. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e15456
Norazman, N., Che Ani, A. I., Ismail, W. N. W., Hussain, A. H., & Abdul Maulud, K. N. (2021). Indoor environmental quality towards classrooms’ comforts level: Case study at Malaysian secondary school building. Applied Sciences, 11(13), Article 5866. https://doi.org/10.3390/app11135866
Painter, S., Fournier, J., Grape, C., Grummon, P., Morelli, J., Whitmer, S., & Cevetello, J. (2013). Research on learning space design: Present state, future directions: Report from the recipients of the 2012 Perry Chapman Prize. Society of College and University Planning. https://research.ebsco.com/linkprocessor/plink?id=25a4fbf7-6a51-3b94-9d81-78b7b7147ab2
Parry, D. A., le Roux, D. B., & Bantjes, J. R. (2020). Testing the feasibility of a media multitasking self-regulation intervention for students: Behaviour change, attention, and self-perception. Computers in Human Behavior, 104, Article 106182. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2019.106182
Ramu, V., Taib, N., & Massoomeh, H. M. (2022). Informal academic learning space preferences of tertiary education learners. Journal of Facilities Management, 20(5), 679–695.
Rane, M., Coleman, P., Mason, R., & Bech, S. (2022). Quantifying headphone listening experience in virtual sound environments using distraction. EURASIP Journal on Audio Speech & Music Processing, 30, 1–14. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13636-022-00262-7
Rasheed, E. O., Khoshbakht, M., & Baird, G. (2021). Time spent in the office and workers’ productivity, comfort and health: A perception study. Building and Environment, 195, Article 107747. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.buildenv.2021.107747
Ratul, I. J., Wani, U. H., Nishat, M. M., Al-Monsur, A., Ar-Rafi, A. M., Faisal, F., & Kabir, M. R. (2022). Survival prediction of children undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation using different machine learning classifiers by performing Chi-squared test and hyper-parameter optimization: A retrospective analysis. Computational and Mathematical Methods in Medicine, 2022(1), Article 9391136. https://doi.org/10.1155/2022/9391136
Szalma, J. L., & Hancock, P. A. (2011). Noise effects on human performance: A meta-analytic synthesis. Psychological Bulletin, 137(4), 682–707. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0023987
Tamesue, T., Yamaguchi, S., & Saeki, T. (2006). Study on achieving speech privacy using masking noise. Journal of Sound & Vibration, 297(3–5), 1088–1096. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsv.2006.05.012
Tan, A., Udeaja, C., Babatunde, S. O., & Ekundayo, D. (2017). Sustainable development in a construction related curriculum – quantity surveying students’ perspective. International Journal of Strategic Property Management, 21(1), 101–113. https://doi.org/10.3846/1648715X.2016.1246387
Topak, S. A., & Ylmazer, S. (2022). A comparative study on indoor soundscape assessment via a mixed method: A case of the high school environment. Applied Acoustics, 189, Article 108554. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apacoust.2021.108554
Vanichvatana, S. (2020). Who uses home as informal learning spaces: A Bangkok private university case study. World Journal on Educational Technology, 12(1), 37–47. https://doi.org/10.18844/wjet.v12i1.4416
Villa, C., & Labayrade, R. (2016). A suitable and energy-efficient luminous environment for a shared office. Lighting Research and Technology, 48(6), 755–770. https://doi.org/10.1177/1477153515578309
Vital, R.-A., & Patil, P. N. (2021). Chi-Square type Goodness-of-Fit Test for hazard rate. Statistics in Biosciences: International Chinese Statistical Association, 13(1), 77–89. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12561-020-09285-0
Vo, N. T. B. (2015). College students’ choice of informal learning spaces [Doctoral dissertations, University of Missouri-Columbia]. MOspace Institutional Repository. https://doi.org/10.32469/10355/46838
Wang, J. (2022). Research on the relationship between informal learning and the regeneration of public spaces on Chinese university campuses: Taking Xian Jiaotong-Liverpool University as an example. In C. Piselli, H. Altan, O. Balaban, & P. Kremer (Eds.), Innovating strategies and solutions for urban performance and regeneration (pp. 289–301). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-98187-7_21
Wu, X., Kou, Z., Oldfield, P., Heath, T., & Borsi, K. (2021). Informal learning spaces in higher education: Student preferences and activities. Buildings, 11(6), Article 252. https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings11060252
Zhang, J., Ding, D., Liu, C., Luther, M., Zhao, J., & Liu, C. (2022). Privacy and interaction preferences of students in informal learning spaces on university campus. Facilities, 40(9/10), 638–655. https://doi.org/10.1108/F-11-2021-0119
Zhang, J., Liu, C., Luther, M., Chil, B., Zhao, J., & Liu, C. (2023). Students’ sound environment perceptions in informal learning spaces: A case study on a university campus in Australia. Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management. https://doi.org/10.1108/ECAM-02-2023-0118
Anggiani, M., & Heryanto, B. (2018). A study of informal space on campus by looking at student preferences. IOP Conference Series Materials Science and Engineering, 453, Article 012029. https://doi.org/10.1088/1757-899X/453/1/012029
Astolfi, A., & Pellerey, F. (2008). Subjective and objective assessment of acoustical and overall environmental quality in secondary school classrooms. The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America, 123(1), 163–173. https://doi.org/10.1121/1.2816563
Banbury, S. P., & Berry, D. C. (2005). Office noise and employee concentration: Identifying causes of disruption and potential improvements. Ergonomics, 48(1), 25–37. https://doi.org/10.1080/00140130412331311390
Bansal, S., Biswas, S., & Singh, S. K. (2019). Holistic assessment of existing buildings: Indian context. Journal of Building Engineering, 25, Article 100793. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jobe.2019.100793
Beckers, R., Van der Voordt, T., & Dewulf, G. (2016). Learning space preferences of higher education students. Building and Environment, 104, 243–252. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.buildenv.2016.05.013
Beh, H. J., Rashidi, A., Talei, A., & Lee, Y. S. (2022). Developing engineering students’ capabilities through game-based virtual reality technology for building utility inspection. Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, 29(7), 2854–2877. https://doi.org/10.1108/ECAM-02-2021-0174
Bennett, S. (2007). First questions for designing higher education learning spaces. The Journal of Academic Librarianship, 33(1), 14–26. https://doi.org/10.1353/pla.2011.0033
Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2006). Using thematic analysis in psychology. Qualitative Research in Psychology, 3(2), 77–101. https://doi.org/10.1191/1478088706qp063oa
Broadbent, D. E. (1978). The current state of noise research: Reply to poulton. Psychological Bulletin, 85(5), 1052–1067. https://doi.org/10.1037/0033-2909.85.5.1052
Cunningham, M., & Walton, G. (2016). Informal learning spaces (ILS) in university libraries and their campuses: A Loughborough University case study. New Library World, 117(1/2), 49–62. https://doi.org/10.1108/NLW-04-2015-0031
Hong, S., Kim, Y., & Yang, E. (2022). Indoor environment and student productivity for individual and collaborative work in learning commons: A case study. Library Management, 43, 15–34. https://doi.org/10.1108/LM-06-2021-0055
Hsu, C. H. C., Chin, D. C. W., & Yau, O. K. T. (2022). Usage of informal learning spaces among students from academic units with versus without dedicated buildings on campus. Journal of Learning Spaces, 11(1), 1–12.
Hunter, J., & Cox, A. (2014). Learning over tea! Studying in informal learning spaces. New Library World, 115(1/2), 34–50. https://doi.org/10.1108/NLW-08-2013-0063
Jo, H. I., & Jeon, J. Y. (2022). Influence of indoor soundscape perception based on audiovisual contents on work-related quality with preference and perceived productivity in open-plan offices. Building and Environment, 208, Article 108598. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.buildenv.2021.108598
Kaklauskas, A., Daniūnas, A., Amaratunga, D., Urbonas, V., Lill, L., Gudauskas, R., D’amato, M., Trinkūnas, V., & Jackutė, I. (2012). Life cycle process model of a market-oriented and student centered higher eudcation. International Journal of Strategic Property Management, 16(4), 414–430. https://doi.org/10.3846/1648715X.2012.750631
Kang, S., Ou, D., & Mak, C. M. (2017). The impact of indoor environmental quality on work productivity in university open-plan research offices. Building and Environment, 124, 78–89. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.buildenv.2017.07.003
King, J. G. (2016). Extended and experimenting: Library learning commons service strategy and sustainability. Library Management, 37(4/5), 265–274. https://doi.org/10.1108/LM-04-2016-0028
Lee, S.-M., Park, C.-J., & Haan, C.-H. (2022). Investigation of the appropriate reverberation time in learning spaces for elderly people using speech intelligibility tests. Buildings, 12, Article 1943. https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings12111943
Li, Z., Zhang, Q., Fan, F., & Shen, S. (2021). A comprehensive comfort assessment method for indoor environmental quality in university open-plan offices in severe cold regions. Building and Environment, 197, Article 107845. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.buildenv.2021.107845
Mahbub, A. S., Kua, H.-W., & Lee, S.-E. (2010). A total building performance approach to evaluating building acoustics performance. Architectural Science Review, 53(2), 213–223. https://doi.org/10.3763/asre.2009.0032
Matthews, K. E., Andrews, V., & Adams, P. (2011). Social learning spaces and student engagement. Higher Education Research & Development, 30(2), 105–120. https://doi.org/10.1080/07294360.2010.512629
Minichilli, F., Gorini, F., Ascari, E., Bianchi, F., Coi, A., Fredianelli, L., Licitra, G., Manzoli, F., Mezzasalma, L., & Cori, L. (2018). Annoyance judgment and measurements of environmental noise: A focus on Italian secondary schools. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 15(2), Article 208. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph15020208
Montgomery, S. E. (2014). Library space assessment: User learning behaviors in the library. The Journal of Academic Librarianship, 40(1), 70–75. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.acalib.2013.11.003
Nja, C. O., Anari, M. I., Erim, C. M., Idiege, K. J., Ilhami, A., Ukah, J. U., Eneyo, O. E., Uwe, U. E., & Cornelius-Ukpepi, B. U. (2023). Learning space, students’ collaboration, educational outcomes, and interest: Exploring the physical, social and psychological mediators. Heliyon, 9(4), Article e15456. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e15456
Norazman, N., Che Ani, A. I., Ismail, W. N. W., Hussain, A. H., & Abdul Maulud, K. N. (2021). Indoor environmental quality towards classrooms’ comforts level: Case study at Malaysian secondary school building. Applied Sciences, 11(13), Article 5866. https://doi.org/10.3390/app11135866
Painter, S., Fournier, J., Grape, C., Grummon, P., Morelli, J., Whitmer, S., & Cevetello, J. (2013). Research on learning space design: Present state, future directions: Report from the recipients of the 2012 Perry Chapman Prize. Society of College and University Planning. https://research.ebsco.com/linkprocessor/plink?id=25a4fbf7-6a51-3b94-9d81-78b7b7147ab2
Parry, D. A., le Roux, D. B., & Bantjes, J. R. (2020). Testing the feasibility of a media multitasking self-regulation intervention for students: Behaviour change, attention, and self-perception. Computers in Human Behavior, 104, Article 106182. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2019.106182
Ramu, V., Taib, N., & Massoomeh, H. M. (2022). Informal academic learning space preferences of tertiary education learners. Journal of Facilities Management, 20(5), 679–695.
Rane, M., Coleman, P., Mason, R., & Bech, S. (2022). Quantifying headphone listening experience in virtual sound environments using distraction. EURASIP Journal on Audio Speech & Music Processing, 30, 1–14. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13636-022-00262-7
Rasheed, E. O., Khoshbakht, M., & Baird, G. (2021). Time spent in the office and workers’ productivity, comfort and health: A perception study. Building and Environment, 195, Article 107747. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.buildenv.2021.107747
Ratul, I. J., Wani, U. H., Nishat, M. M., Al-Monsur, A., Ar-Rafi, A. M., Faisal, F., & Kabir, M. R. (2022). Survival prediction of children undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation using different machine learning classifiers by performing Chi-squared test and hyper-parameter optimization: A retrospective analysis. Computational and Mathematical Methods in Medicine, 2022(1), Article 9391136. https://doi.org/10.1155/2022/9391136
Szalma, J. L., & Hancock, P. A. (2011). Noise effects on human performance: A meta-analytic synthesis. Psychological Bulletin, 137(4), 682–707. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0023987
Tamesue, T., Yamaguchi, S., & Saeki, T. (2006). Study on achieving speech privacy using masking noise. Journal of Sound & Vibration, 297(3–5), 1088–1096. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsv.2006.05.012
Tan, A., Udeaja, C., Babatunde, S. O., & Ekundayo, D. (2017). Sustainable development in a construction related curriculum – quantity surveying students’ perspective. International Journal of Strategic Property Management, 21(1), 101–113. https://doi.org/10.3846/1648715X.2016.1246387
Topak, S. A., & Ylmazer, S. (2022). A comparative study on indoor soundscape assessment via a mixed method: A case of the high school environment. Applied Acoustics, 189, Article 108554. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apacoust.2021.108554
Vanichvatana, S. (2020). Who uses home as informal learning spaces: A Bangkok private university case study. World Journal on Educational Technology, 12(1), 37–47. https://doi.org/10.18844/wjet.v12i1.4416
Villa, C., & Labayrade, R. (2016). A suitable and energy-efficient luminous environment for a shared office. Lighting Research and Technology, 48(6), 755–770. https://doi.org/10.1177/1477153515578309
Vital, R.-A., & Patil, P. N. (2021). Chi-Square type Goodness-of-Fit Test for hazard rate. Statistics in Biosciences: International Chinese Statistical Association, 13(1), 77–89. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12561-020-09285-0
Vo, N. T. B. (2015). College students’ choice of informal learning spaces [Doctoral dissertations, University of Missouri-Columbia]. MOspace Institutional Repository. https://doi.org/10.32469/10355/46838
Wang, J. (2022). Research on the relationship between informal learning and the regeneration of public spaces on Chinese university campuses: Taking Xian Jiaotong-Liverpool University as an example. In C. Piselli, H. Altan, O. Balaban, & P. Kremer (Eds.), Innovating strategies and solutions for urban performance and regeneration (pp. 289–301). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-98187-7_21
Wu, X., Kou, Z., Oldfield, P., Heath, T., & Borsi, K. (2021). Informal learning spaces in higher education: Student preferences and activities. Buildings, 11(6), Article 252. https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings11060252
Zhang, J., Ding, D., Liu, C., Luther, M., Zhao, J., & Liu, C. (2022). Privacy and interaction preferences of students in informal learning spaces on university campus. Facilities, 40(9/10), 638–655. https://doi.org/10.1108/F-11-2021-0119
Zhang, J., Liu, C., Luther, M., Chil, B., Zhao, J., & Liu, C. (2023). Students’ sound environment perceptions in informal learning spaces: A case study on a university campus in Australia. Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management. https://doi.org/10.1108/ECAM-02-2023-0118