1.

some time without noise

2.

harmful background noise

3.

special effects for better results

4.

a way to reduce noise pollution

5.

colours for the classroom

6.

music in the classroom

7.

music for relaxation

8.

different effects of music

a.

everybody remembers what school smells and sounds like. it may seem unimportant but research results suggest that smells and sounds can influence learning ability and creativity. some schools are now introducing noises, music and even smell into the classroom. the aim is to see which of these factors can improve students’ grades.

b.

it’s obvious that the constant sounds of traffic, airports and police sirens are a part of a busy city. numerous studies have focused on the combined effect of aircraft and road traffic sounds on reading ability and memory. it was found out that children from schools near big airports reported annoyance and showed less success at exams, which proves that the aircraft noise is the most harmful type of machinery noise.

c.

the international noise awareness day was started by the american centre for hearing and communication in 1995. the aim of this day, which takes place every year in april, is to raise awareness among the people of the noise problem and the risks it makes. on that day people are asked to turn off noise sources such as tv sets and auto engines for a few hours and to enjoy the silence.

d.

there is no one best colour, some are just better than others in different situations. the design of the classroom is very important, too. it should be nice and pleasant and help students to focus on learning – remember about it when you paint the walls! generally, light blue and purple have a calming effect on learners. warm tones like peach and light yellow provide a relaxing atmosphere that is good for learning too. however, most physiologists say that red, white, black and brown should be avoided in the classroom.

e.

however, when students do tasks in groups or discuss something, noise is unavoidable. sometimes the noise distracts other students. to prevent this, a traffic light system has been introduced. a large set of traffic lights, made of coloured paper, is placed in the classroom. when the noise is acceptable, the green light is on. when it gets too loud, the yellow light is put on. changing to the red light means the end of activities or complete silence.

f.

on the other hand, some noises stimulate creativity, but the sound should be neither too high nor too low. there was a special experiment held in an office. while working, the people were listening to different melodies, played at different levels. it was observed that the most original projects were created when the songs and compositions were played at a medium level. low and high levels, on the other hand, damaged creativity.

g.

according to professor shields, listening to classical or calm music helps creative learning. this conclusion is not really new. for a long time, teachers and coaches have been using quiet melodies to inspire their students and stimulate their imagination. this is particularly useful in art classes, where students learn to create pieces of art like pictures, sculptures and hand-made articles.