The Effects of Environmental Noise to the Academic Performance During Online

Learning of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics students in La

Verdad Christian School

(A.Y. 2020- 2021)

A Research Paper

Presented to

LA VERDAD CHRISTIAN SCHOOL

In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements in

Practical Research II

By:

Santos, Lj Mhey

Ocampo, Mariel

Isip, Laurence Joie

Grande, Sania

Villanueva, Rhynah Francheska

Tejuco, Daniele Victor

January 2021

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 CHAPTER I

THE PROBLEM AND ITS BACKGROUND

INTRODUCTION

Amidst this pandemic, studying is still necessary. But, since the traditional

learning which is the face-to-face learning is not yet allowed, the Department of

Education (DepEd) initiated to start the school year through modular or online learning.

Online learning is the new set up in today’s education. However, during online

learning, environmental noises are inevitable. This study focuses on identifying the

effects of environmental noise on the students’ academic performance during an online

class. Not just students who can experience this problem, but also teachers that can be a

factor to affect student’s academic performance also.

The reliability of teaching and learning is hugely affected by internal variables.

An example is the output of the teacher since teachers can influence the achievements of

their students. Many researchers have indicated that online learning has increased the

noise factors teachers and students may experience (Ibossanti & Matondang, 2017).

The relevance of the research field in this study is to know the scope of

environmental noises to our target respondents, the students and teachers, that can be a

factor to affect the performance of a student. Several factors may affect the performance

of students. The researchers wanted to study specifically about the different

environmental noise that may affect the academic performance that is one of these

factors.

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 In the common learning environments available to students in the Philippines,

undesirable background noise frequently exceeds the maximum amount recommended

during teaching or study sessions by the World Health Organization (WHO). For students

in many schools and homes across the country, these intense background noises are

burdensome. Such noises lead to unhealthy learning conditions and cognitive, academic

and educational risks for students (Diaco, 2014).

It was shown that exposure to prolonged or unnecessary noise causes a variety of

health issues. From stress, poor focus, loss of working efficiency, communication

difficulties and exhaustion due to lack of sleep, to more severe problems such as

cardiovascular disease, cognitive impairment, chronic fatigue, and hearing loss (Housley,

2017).

In modern cities, noise becomes a global problem which has been examined

extensively around the world. From the effect of noise in online learning, several

disorders can be made. These include hearing, communication, and intelligence of the

students (Buchari & Matondang, 2017). Previous research has shown that noise has

detrimental effects upon children’s performance at school, including reduced memory,

motivation and reading ability. External noise was found to have a significant negative

impact on performance, the effect being greater for the older children.

Some researchers found that children's performance had a sudden drop because of

an increase in background noise, specifically in learning to read (Hetu et al., 1990).

Whereas, according to Mackenzie (2000), children performed better in word

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intelligibility tests when their classrooms were treated acoustically. This treatment

reduced background noise levels and reverberation times than the children in untreated

classrooms.

Since the onset of the Coronavirus online learning was implemented. It was then

observed to have an increase in low-performance risk factor which is environmental noise

(Ibossanti & Matondang, 2017). Environmental noise is a pervasive pollutant that may

lead to annoyance and can perceive as stressful. Some of the environmental noise include

chicken crows, dog barks, vehicles passing by, in which these are just a few of the noises

we encounter during online classes. These noises are only one of the barriers that affect

the academic performance of the students.

As the students practice learning with the new implemented learning style, online

learning, students encounter different opportunities as they study. Also, students will

possibly encounter problems in a new way of learning. The researchers believe, with the

new environment currently experienced in online classes, comes different new

distractions. Furthermore, the hypothesis states that noises, internal or external, affect

individuals uniquely.

In conclusion, the researchers will determine the different environmental noises

and their possible obstructive effects on the students’ academic performance. With this,

the researchers will be able to provide solutions, thus, resulting to plausible

recommendations.

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BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

As the year 2020 started, a virus known as the Corona Virus begun

spreading. Because of this virus, activities that involve physical interaction was

prohibited. However, amidst this pandemic, studying is still necessary. But, since

traditional learning, face-to-face learning, is not yet allowed, the Department of

Education (DepEd) initiated the school year through modular or online learning.

With the newly implemented system, online learning, many factors caused

struggles and dissatisfaction to both parents and students. These are barriers that affect

students’ academic performance, factors specifically, environmental noise. Chicken

crows, dog barks, vehicles passing by are just a few of the noises we encounter during

online classes.

The World Health Organization (WHO) defines environmental noise as noise

from all sources except for workplace noise. Noise is all unwanted sound or set of sounds

that can bother or can implement a health impact. The impact of noise in different areas

experienced by people can have effects mentally. One example would be distractions and

stress that is caused by noise exposure from machines and vehicles.

Several noises could affect the students since there are varieties in their homes

and environments. This means that several noises come several effects too. One example

is from research concerning the effects of noise pollution. It states that children with high

obnoxious sound exposure can have a lesser concentration (Evans & Maxwell, 1997).

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 According to the noise reaction model introduced by Babisch and colleagues,

chronic low levels of noise can cause so-called nonauditory effects, such as disturbances

of activity, sleep, and communication, which can trigger several emotional responses,

including annoyance and subsequent stress (Munzel, Sorensen, Schmidt, Steven, Kroller-

Schon, & Daiber, 2018).

In young children, noise-induced complications hinder teacher-student

communication and eventually affect the learning process. It can be associated with the

criteria for giving performance-based incentives. The teacher’s voice is the point of real

interest. Because, speech perception, as the excellent task of knowledge transmission,

depends on it, and it must be clear, harmonious, intelligible, and beyond all and any

competitive noise. Otherwise, the students will not follow the teaching (WHO, 2015).

Since the beginning of education, noises have been a factor in learning both on

students and teachers’ performance and effectiveness. However, since online learning

initiated as an alternative learning style for the new normal adaptation, noise is believed

to have a sudden increase which may affect students’ academic performance. Moreover,

it is more likely to hear other types of noises in homes because of different environments

than inside a classroom.

In conclusion, the researchers’ hypothesis states that knowing the different

environmental noise that negatively affects the academic performance of students, who

have low concentration and have a high risk on distraction, and how it affects them will

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help to conclude possible solutions. Furthermore, a set of actions can be formulated and

provide feasible preventions.

STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

This study aims to look for the effects of environmental noise to the academic

performance during online learning of Science, Technology, Engineering, and

Mathematics students in La Verdad Christian School in the academic year 2020-2021

manifested in test results. The researchers specifically wanted to seek the answer to the

following questions: 

1.) What is the demographic profile of the respondents in terms of:

1. Age

2. Gender

3. Year and Section

2.) How many are the students who experience environmental noise?

1. How many are distracted?

2. How many are not distracted?

3. What kind of noise?

3.) What are the test results of the students in the January monthly exam?

1. Which subjects are available for review?

2. What is the average of all the results?

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SCOPE AND DELIMITATION

This study focuses on the effects of noises, on different circumstances, that

students experience to their academic performance. In which, the basis would be from the

response of the chosen respondents. The respondents of this study were comprised of

50% of the total population of the students on the strand - Science, Technology,

Engineering, and Mathematics. The result of this study applies to all students and

teachers in La Verdad Christian School.

The study habits of the respondents could also affect the outcome of the data

collection. Study habits include the time, place, and frequency of studying apart from

synchronous sessions. The researchers could measure the distraction index by basing on

test results of the respondents. The test results to be compared would be from the subjects

Physics, Chemistry, and Personal Development. The test results, to be compared, shall be

from selected monthly examinations. As another anticipated variable, which would affect

the respondents' answers, the researchers would also ask how much interest students have

towards the given subjects.

The researchers considered working on this study to determine the different

environmental noise that gives a negative impact on the academic performance of the

students. Also, to help find ways to minimize noise and maintain good academic

performance during the online learning of the students in La Verdad Christian School.

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SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

Identifying the effect of environmental noise to the academic performance of

students is significant not only because it is a distraction but also has a great impact on

students’ and teacher’s behavior that can affect the academic performance of students.

The findings of this study will be of great benefit to the following:

Students. This study will help the students to gain knowledge about how their

academic performance is affected by the noises they are experiencing in online schooling.

In this study, students can assess the environmental noises that they are experiencing

during online learning. By this, the researchers may significantly come up with the

conclusions on how to minimize the noise during online learning. 

Teachers. The result of this study can help educators to identify the reasons why

their other students’ academic performance changed since online schooling started.

Teachers can also affect a student’s academic performance because it is based on how

they teach and perform during online learning. Learning the effect of environmental noise

on the academic performance of students is significant for the teachers because they can

give fair considerations to the students that are being affected. Also, not only students can

benefit from this study, but also the teachers given they are also doing online meetings to

go along and continue with their job.  

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 Parents. Parents of the students want their child to be more focused on their

online learning. The result of this study will also be benefited by the parents of the

students because they are the first person that can help their children to further reduce the

struggle experienced while taking an online class. Thus, parents will be happier with the

grades of their child. The environmental noise also affects them because they are getting

old and they become more irritated with loud noises. It is inevitable, but it can help them

at least minimize the problem. 

Future Researchers. The findings of the study will serve as reference material

and a guide for future researchers who wish to conduct the same study or any study

related to the topic.

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