A case study of introductory teaching method for architectural/environmental acoustics using a smartphone

A case study of introductory teaching method for architectural or environmental acoustics using a smartphone is discussed. The results of a trial exercise to make a sound map with the physical measurement results by a smartphone assigned to the students are examined in this case study. The trial exercise is supposed to be a possible assignment in the introductory course on environmental acoustics in the first or second year students of university. It has been in the preliminary study that Android smartphones show large scatter in the measured results of sound pressure levels regardless of which applications are used. Investigations also reveal that devices using iOS do not show such a scatter but, the measured results are all in good agreement. The findings of the study reveal that devices using iOS are suitable for the purpose of the existing case study.