Artifact #4: Annotated Bibliography

For my annotated bibliography I choose to research an article that discussed autism and

how the effects that acoustical design of a classroom has on children with autism. The goal of

the research was to create new ideas and to use these ideas when creating new classrooms that

will help ensure that students with autism have an environment that is supportive.

I choose this artifact as I may one day have a student who has autism and I want to make

sure I have all the tools I need to ensure they have a supportive environment. This artifact

proves that I am able to analyze the data of an article and make connections to the classroom.

The annotated bibliography discusses the purpose of the article, the target population, a brief

summary of the article and the outcomes. Most importantly it demonstrates how I was able to

use this research and apply it to a classroom which is the most important part.

INTASC Standards

Standard #2: Learning Differences. The teacher uses understanding of individual

differences and diverse cultures and communities to ensure inclusive learning environments that

enable each learner to meet high standards.

NYS Code of Ethics for Educators

Principle 2: Educators create, support, and maintain challenging learning environments

for all.

Educators apply their professional knowledge to promote student learning. They know

the curriculum and utilize a range of strategies and assessments to address differences. Educators

develop and implement programs based upon a strong understanding of human development and

learning theory. They support a challenging learning environment. They advocate for necessary
resources to teach to higher levels of learning. They establish and maintain clear standards of

behavior and civility. Educators are role models, displaying the habits of mind and work

necessary to develop and apply knowledge while simultaneously displaying a curiosity and

enthusiasm for learning. They invite students to become active, inquisitive, and discerning

individuals who reflect upon and monitor their own learning.

The Ontario Ethical Teacher Standard

Care - The ethical standard of Care includes compassion, acceptance, interest and insight

for developing students' potential. Members express their commitment to students' well-being

and learning through positive influence, professional judgment and empathy in practice.

TEAC/CAEP Claims 1-3

Claim 3: Medaille College graduates are caring educators.
Council for Exceptional Children (ECE)
1. Using evidence, instructional data, research, and professional knowledge to inform
practice.

Annotated Bibliography

Article Reference
Kanakri, S. M., Shepley, M., Tassinary, L. G., Varni, J. W., & Fawaz, H. M. (2017). An

observational study of classroom acoustical design and repetitive behaviors in

children with autism. Environment & behavior, 49(8), 847-873.

doi:10.1177/0013916516669389

Objective/Purpose

The author choose to write this study to demonstrate the effects that acoustical design of

a classroom has on children with autism. Through empirical research, information was provided

on “how interior space features and spatial environment characteristics can be used to support the

learning and developmental needs of children with autism” (Kanakri, Shepley, Tassinary, Varni,

& Fawaz, 2017, p. 847). The study was conducted within four different classrooms and

narrowed in on “the connection between repetitive behaviours and ambient noise levels within

the classroom” (Kanakri et al., 2017, p. 847). The goal of the research was to create new ideas

and to use these ideas when creating new classrooms that will help ensure that students with

autism have an environment that is supportive.

The target audience for this study is students with autism.

Target Population/ Participant Number

The participants consisted of 42 students, 37 males and 5 females. These students have

high functioning autism and are in the second and third grade. The students who participated in

this study ranged in ages from 6 to 9 years old and all of these students have normal hearing.

Research Method

I believe that mixed methods was used. Qualitative research provides us insight into a
problem we may be experiencing. Also, the author used participants who participated in the

study and made observations, which are two components of qualitative research. At the end of

every day observations were conducted. The researcher gave the teachers of the four classrooms

a questionnaire to complete which allowed them to express their opinions about their classroom

environments. This would be a component of quantitative research.

There were two schools that participated in this study. The classrooms used for this study

were carefully selected based on where they were located within the school. Specifically they

were chosen if they were close to common areas and or the HVAC system as most loud noise is

generated from these two areas of the school. The four classrooms were situated in schools for

students with autism.

Participants in this study were students with autism, specifically high functioning autism.

In order for the students to participate the administration was asked to provide prove that the

students had a ASD diagnosis. The students were in grade two and three and were of the ages 6

to 9 years old. In school 1, twenty students were selected. 16 of the students were males, while

the other 4 students were females. In school 2, twenty-two students were selected. 21 were male

students and there was only one female student in this group. In order to conduct the study, the

researcher set up a video recorder in the classrooms which also measured decimal levels.

Article Summary

This article focuses on the correlation between ambient noise levels and repetitive

behaviours in students with autism. Some of the repetitive behaviours are “repetitive motor

movements, repetitive speech, ear covering, hitting, loud vocalizations, blinking, and verbal

complaining” (Kanakri et al., 2017, p. 847). This research is important as there is a rise of

students with autism and they need to be considered when schools are designing classrooms.
Many educators believe that students with autism should be integrated into general classrooms

and need to learn the appropriate coping techniques, however studies have shown that by

creating a classroom for these students helps them be more successful. The article also discusses

how noise can affect us all. “Noise is generally defined as the unpleasant sounds that distract the

human both physically and physiologically” (Kanakri et al., 2017, p. 850). Loud noise can make

us lose our hearing whereas “low levels of continuous noise can have other damaging impacts”

(Kanakri et al., 2017, p. 850). If we are exposed to low levels of noise all the time, this can

makes us angry which in turn could give us high blood pressure. Noise has an extreme impact

on students with autism as they are very sensitive to noise levels. Knowing this, the article

outlines how noise levels within classrooms can cause students with autism to exhibit certain

behaviours.

Results/Outcomes

In school one, the researcher found that when the decimal levels in the classroom was

high, students “tended to complain, exhibit repetitive speech, producing loud sound, repetitive

motor movement ad covering ears” (Kanakri et al., 2017, p. 861). Students in school two

exhibited different behaviours when the decimal levels were high. These behaviours were

“complaints, repetitive speech, hitting, producing loud noises and repetitive motor movements”

(Kanakri et al., 2017, p. 861). In both schools researchers found that students complained more

in the classrooms were the noise was loud.

These findings are useful to me as a future teacher as it proves that students with autism

have a difficult time in classrooms that are loud and full of noise. As a future teacher, if I have

students in my classroom who have autism, I need to ensure that I provide a classroom

environment that will support their needs. This might be ensuring that our classroom is away
from any main doors and the staffroom. If this is not possible then I need to ensure that I create a

space for them where they can go and have some quiet time. One limitation of this study is that

every student with autism is different and different factors affect them. It seems extremely

difficult to design a classroom that can accomodate all the students needs.

Classroom Application

This research is important as it provides insight to how the classroom environment plays

a major role in how students with autism function. Not every school will have the option to have

a classroom dedicated to students with autism, however if teachers find themselves at a school

that is thinking of creating a special classroom, they will be able to participate in the creation and

voice their opinion on where the classroom should be located and what should be included. As a

teacher if you are teaching in a regular classroom and have a student that is autistic, then you will

need to keep in mind some strategies that you can use to help reduce noise level, such as

providing earphones and a quiet area for that students to go as needed. I would apply the

information found in this research in my classroom by ensuring that I have a noise level chart.

The chart will have 5 colours on it, which represents 5 levels of talking. I would teach my

children the appropriate level of noise per colour and that the colour yellow which is a noise

level two is the appropriate noise level while inside the classroom. During the day if the noise

level is getting too high, then I would remind the kids to bring it down. I would also educate

them on why the noise level is important. It is important as we have some children in the

classroom who are sensitive to loud noise, therefore we must be respectful of them. Secondly, I

would apply the information found in the research by ensuring that I have the door to the

classroom shut at all times. Students with autism are sensitive to background noise and

eliminating the noise from the hallways will greatly benefit those students. This article has me
thinking about how I can make changes to my current classroom. Also, I will be conducting

observations on some of my students and their behaviours when the classroom gets a bit noisy to

see if the noise level is having an affect on them.