How Does Environmental Noise Impact Collaborative Activities at the Main Library of Tecnologico de Monterrey?

Abstract

Environmental noise is an important social issue that directly affects the efficiency of the students. The aim of this study is to investigate how environmental noise generated in the library affects the performance at learning commons. For this study, the noise of the library was recorded and sixteen students of Tecnologico de Monterrey, were recruited. They were divided into four groups, and two collaborative activities were undertaken with and without noise. In both scenarios, the performance and the physiological reaction of students were investigated. The results showed that the students had a 4% higher performance in a quiet environment than in a noisy one, in the same way, the heart rate increased by 3.48% and the blink rate by 22.91%. Finally, the neural electrical activity was reduced by at least 3%. The findings of the present study suggest that collaborative work is difficult to undertake in noise scenarios such as learning commons, where no appropriated policies are established and followed. Cognitive performance is lower in noisy than in quiet conditions.