Study after study shows that the work environment is important for how we perform and thrive in our workplaces. Nevertheless, very little is being done to address the problem.
An exception is Gislaved’s municipality, which actively and concretely chose to address the issues surrounding the sound environment in schools. Today, the vast majority of classrooms in the municipality have sound equalization systems that distribute the sound evenly over the classroom with the help of wireless microphones and speakers that are adapted for speech.
The teacher Ann Bohlin Andersson has her workplace at Isabergskolan in Hestra and experiences the benefits clearly. “I feel that the teaching changes with the sound equalization system in the classrooms. It develops students’ opportunities to follow during lesson time and it increases their concentration time. All in all, it makes it easier for me in my work. I absolutely want a sound equalization system when I teach”.
In addition to the fact that the climate in the classroom has improved and the level of study has increased, the educator’s situation has also improved. This is something that teacher Annie Lind can confirm. “I feel that my work environment has been significantly affected by the sound equalization systems. I do not feel as tired in my voice as I did before. Now I do not have to raise my voice, but everyone clearly hears what I say no matter where they sit in the classroom”.
For Jan Pettersson, who is team manager for children and education at Gislaved municipality, there was never any doubt. “It was not a difficult decision, it felt so obvious that we would make that investment to create a better working climate for students and teachers in our municipality,” he says.
