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From page 1... ... Chapter 1 – Introduction 1 1 Introduction The effects of aircraft noise on children's learning are a longstanding concern of parents, educators, and planners living and teaching near airports. The focus of this study was to attempt to determine how the behaviors of students and teachers are affected by this type of noise exposure. More specifically, the stated objectives were to:  Develop and implement a rigorous case study methodology to identify and measure those factors at the individual classroom, student, and teacher level that influence the impact of aircraft noise on student achievement, especially as it relates to reading comprehension  Identify appropriate metrics that define the level and characteristics of aircraft noise that impact student achievement  Develop practical guidance for use by decision makers on how to reduce the impact of aircraft noise on student achievement The study team for this project was comprised of experts in aviation noise and experienced researchers in the field of psychology: Professor Stephen Stansfeld and Dr. Charlotte Clark of the Queen Mary University of London, Dr. Gary Evans of Cornell University, and Mary Ellen Eagan along with a team of consultants specializing in aviation noise from HMMH Inc. 1.1 Overview of Research Need Research studies correlating noise to cognition are not novel, and indeed this is not the first study to examine this relationship. However, previous research has been primarily aimed at establishing a correlation between noise and cognitive development, and has been conducted almost exclusively in Europe. In the passage titled "Noise and Cognitive Performance in Children and Adults" from the book Noise and Its Effects (Wiley & Sons, 2007) , Dr. Gary Evans explains: Despite 30 years of careful thinking and empirical work on noise and cognitive performance, we still have very little in the way of a clear theoretical model of how noise affects performance. Research on noise tends to focus on the question of whether or not there is an effect, but ultimately real breakthroughs will come when we are able to specify with greater precision why and how these effects occur. This suggests a research strategy where more weight is put on thinking about the underlying processes and not just demonstrating an effect. Data need to be collected on speech perception, variable memory processes, attention, interference with acoustic rehearsal, motivation, etc., along with the participate target outcome variables of interest. There are also a few cognitive processes that appear either especially resistant or even enhanced by noise. Here too, we may have some possible insights into how noise operates. The latter approach is consistent with the idea that noise affects executive, cognitive functioning like the allocation of attention, the speed of processing and the integration of materials with existing networks (explicit memory paradigms) Read the entire page →
From page 2... ... Chapter 1 – Introduction 2 1.2 Summary of Related Research This section provides a brief description of prior studies into the effects of transportation noise, particularly that of aircraft, on the cognitive functioning of children. In each of the cases presented below at least one member of the study team for this project was involved as a major contributor. A thorough review of the effects of noise on learning was provided in ACRP 02‐26. 1.2.1 Road Traffic Noise and Aircraft Noise Exposure and Children's Cognition and Health (RANCH Study) Charlotte Clark and Stephen Stansfeld of QMUL have conducted several studies focusing on identifying the effect of aircraft noise exposure on children's annoyance, cognition (reading and memory skills) Read the entire page →
From page 3... ... Chapter 1 – Introduction 3 was compared to the control group (same school, but for years prior to noise reduction) . Analysis consisted of multilevel regression with "change in test scores" regressed against a range of variables such as "change in cumulative noise exposure." After controlling for demographics, the study found (1) Read the entire page →

From page 1...

... Chapter 1 – Introduction 1 1 Introduction The effects of aircraft noise on children's learning are a longstanding concern of parents, educators, and planners living and teaching near airports. The focus of this study was to attempt to determine how the behaviors of students and teachers are affected by this type of noise exposure. More specifically, the stated objectives were to:  Develop and implement a rigorous case study methodology to identify and measure those factors at the individual classroom, student, and teacher level that influence the impact of aircraft noise on student achievement, especially as it relates to reading comprehension  Identify appropriate metrics that define the level and characteristics of aircraft noise that impact student achievement  Develop practical guidance for use by decision makers on how to reduce the impact of aircraft noise on student achievement The study team for this project was comprised of experts in aviation noise and experienced researchers in the field of psychology: Professor Stephen Stansfeld and Dr. Charlotte Clark of the Queen Mary University of London, Dr. Gary Evans of Cornell University, and Mary Ellen Eagan along with a team of consultants specializing in aviation noise from HMMH Inc. 1.1 Overview of Research Need Research studies correlating noise to cognition are not novel, and indeed this is not the first study to examine this relationship. However, previous research has been primarily aimed at establishing a correlation between noise and cognitive development, and has been conducted almost exclusively in Europe. In the passage titled "Noise and Cognitive Performance in Children and Adults" from the book Noise and Its Effects (Wiley & Sons, 2007) , Dr. Gary Evans explains: Despite 30 years of careful thinking and empirical work on noise and cognitive performance, we still have very little in the way of a clear theoretical model of how noise affects performance. Research on noise tends to focus on the question of whether or not there is an effect, but ultimately real breakthroughs will come when we are able to specify with greater precision why and how these effects occur. This suggests a research strategy where more weight is put on thinking about the underlying processes and not just demonstrating an effect. Data need to be collected on speech perception, variable memory processes, attention, interference with acoustic rehearsal, motivation, etc., along with the participate target outcome variables of interest. There are also a few cognitive processes that appear either especially resistant or even enhanced by noise. Here too, we may have some possible insights into how noise operates. The latter approach is consistent with the idea that noise affects executive, cognitive functioning like the allocation of attention, the speed of processing and the integration of materials with existing networks (explicit memory paradigms)

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From page 2...

... Chapter 1 – Introduction 2 1.2 Summary of Related Research This section provides a brief description of prior studies into the effects of transportation noise, particularly that of aircraft, on the cognitive functioning of children. In each of the cases presented below at least one member of the study team for this project was involved as a major contributor. A thorough review of the effects of noise on learning was provided in ACRP 02‐26. 1.2.1 Road Traffic Noise and Aircraft Noise Exposure and Children's Cognition and Health (RANCH Study) Charlotte Clark and Stephen Stansfeld of QMUL have conducted several studies focusing on identifying the effect of aircraft noise exposure on children's annoyance, cognition (reading and memory skills)

Read the entire page →

From page 3...

... Chapter 1 – Introduction 3 was compared to the control group (same school, but for years prior to noise reduction) . Analysis consisted of multilevel regression with "change in test scores" regressed against a range of variables such as "change in cumulative noise exposure." After controlling for demographics, the study found (1)

Read the entire page →

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