Zhang, J; Liu, C; Luther, M; Chil, B; Zhao, J and Liu, C (2025) Students' sound environment perceptions in informal learning spaces: A case study on a university campus in Australia. Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, 32(1), pp. 109-130. ISSN 0969-9988
Abstract
Purpose: Physical environments, especially the sound environments of ILSs on a university campus, have become increasingly important in satisfying the diverse needs of students. Poor sound environments are widely acknowledged to lead to inefficient and underutilised spaces and to negatively influence students' learning outcomes. This study proposes two hypotheses to explore whether students' sound environment perceptions are related to their individual characteristics and whether students' preferences for the type of ILS are related to their sound environment sensitivities. Design/methodology/approach: An investigation through a questionnaire survey has been conducted on both students' individual characteristics affecting their sound environment perceptions in informal learning spaces (ILSs) of a university campus and their sensitivities to the sound environments in ILSs affecting their preferences for the type of ILSs. Findings: The research findings indicate that students' sound environment perceptions are associated with some of their individual characteristics. In addition, the results show that students' sound environment sensitivities affect their preferences for the type of ILS they occupy. Originality/value: This study could help architects and managers of university learning spaces to provide better sound environments for students, thereby improving their learning outcomes. The article contributes valuable insights into the correlation between students' individual characteristics, sound environment perceptions and preferences for ILSs. The research findings add to the existing knowledge in this field and offer practical implications for enhancing design and management of university learning environments.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | informal learning space; sound environment; questionnaire survey |
| Index terms: | survey, manager, preference, methodology, questionnaire, learning space, Australia, informal learning, case study, learning outcome, investigation, architect |
| Subjects: | learning methods, data collection methods, profession, student development, practitioner, construction type, Geography, research methods, decision-making and reasoning |
| Topics: | Geographical Context, Education, Construction Technology, Roles and Professions, Research Practice |
| Descriptive scope: | 5 PCTEA |
N.B. Descriptive scope is a count of how many of the five facets of empirical research are indicated by the words used in title, abstract and keywords. It is not intended as a judgement on the research; merely a count of the kind of word we would expect to indicate Phenomenon, Concepts, Theoretical framing, Empirical techniques, Analytical techniques. If all five are present, then a code of “5 PCTEA” will indicate this. If you feel the coding for this record is questionable, we welcome discussion around the terms we matched or the way we categorized them. The facet you would expect may not be coded, or a facet may be coded inappropriately. This can also bear on a larger question, of which facets should be treated as defining in construction management research. Please get in touch, and we will look at it. More details here