Introduction
Personal music players, such as iPods, are used by many students to enjoy music, relax and help them focus when working. However, listening at high volumes, the use of earbuds and the time spent listening to music may have damaging effects on the ears. Damage to the ear from excessive noise can lead to hearing loss.
Noise induced hearing loss is preventable- an understanding of sound, the ear and strategies to protect your hearing, may save your own ears!
Task
Your task is to:
Write a letter to Apple Australia (manufacturer of the iPod and iPhone) outlining your recommendations for responsible listening to personal music players.
Your letter will be:
- written as a formal letter
- a persuasive text
- based on scientific evidence
- no more than 2 A4 pages long
Due Date: Monday 19th September
Before you write the letter complete the Webquest Process. This will provide you with the evidence to make recommendations.
Your teacher will allocate class time to complete some of the Webquest Process. The Webquest Process will be marked by your teacher.
The Webquest and the letter are each worth a maximum of 20 marks.
Process
Answer each question below using the websites suggested and other sources.
Your answers can be presented in any format, eg Word document, PowerPoint, Pages, make sure you can print out a copy to hand to your teacher.
1a. What is sound?
- define sound, include a diagram of a sound wave.
- define the terms pitch and volume
Start by viewing these websites:
http://scienceprojectideasforkids.com/2010/sound-pitch-loudness/ Follow the link embedded in the diagram for greater detail
http://www.physicsclassroom.com/Class/sound/u11l1c.html Answer the question at the bottom of the page and click on the next chapter for info on pitch
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=px3oVGXr4mo
1b. How does the ear work?
- list the structures and function in the human ear, include an image
- create a flow diagram explaining how sound is transmitted from outside the ear to the brain
Use these websites
** Some sites require a Flash player and will not work on iPads or devices without Flash capability**
http://www.childrensuniversity.manchester.ac.uk/interactives/science/br… Try the quiz after the animation
https://www.hearing.com.au/how-we-hear/
http://www.physicsclassroom.com/class/sound/Lesson-2/The-Human-Ear
2a. How is sound measured?
- state the units for measuring volume of sound
- include a volume scale in your presentation
- clearly rank iPod volume on the scale
Read the articles and look for the volume scales
http://www.dangerousdecibels.org/virtualexhibit/6measuringsound.html
http://www.gcaudio.com/resources/howtos/loudness.html
http://www.physicsclassroom.com/class/sound/Lesson-2/Intensity-and-the-… (Higher level site)
2b. What causes hearing loss?
- list the factors that lead to hearing loss
- explain how the use of earbuds increases the damage to the ear
View the sites to read about earbuds (earphones)
http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hearing-loss/basics/risk-…
http://www.smh.com.au/digital-life/how-your-ipod-could-be-damaging-your-ears-20110606-1fpt8.html
Take this digital hearing test (use ear phones)
http://egopont.com/hearing_tests.php?soundID=1000 n.b This is NOT a professional hearing examination.
3a. What are the current recommendations for responsible use of music players?
- list the recommendations from these and any other sources to prevent noise induced hearing loss
Scroll down to the section on Recreational Hearing Loss (RHL)
http://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Senate/Communit…
http://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/generation-deaf-doctors-warn-…
http://www.livescience.com/9742-loud-ipod.html
3b. Compare the recommendations to the Apple site
- view the recommendations from Apple, compare this to the other sources.
view the Apple site
http://www.apple.com/au/sound/
Now write your letter, using all the evidence, recommending responsible use of personal music players.
Evaluation
Marking Criteria
Process 1 and 2 (Research), mark /20
|
Process |
Maximum mark |
Mark |
|
Definition of sound |
1 |
|
|
Diagram of a sound wave |
1 |
|
|
Definition of terms pitch and volume |
1 |
|
|
Structures and function in the human ear |
2 |
|
|
Ear image |
1 |
|
|
Flow diagram- sound through the ear |
2 |
|
|
Units for sound volume |
1 |
|
|
Volume scale, iPod rated on scale |
1 |
|
|
List of factors that lead to hearing loss |
2 |
|
|
Explanation of earbuds increasing damage to the ear |
3 |
|
|
Summary of recommendations |
3 |
|
|
Comparison to Apple recommendations |
2 |
|
|
Total /20 |
Letter mark /20
|
|
0 |
1 |
2 |
3 |
|
Audience and Text structure |
|
Simple letter Format |
Address and letter format correct |
|
|
Introduction |
No introduction |
Simple introduction, no outline |
Introduction outlines reason for letter and briefly addresses the topic |
Thorough introduction outlining topic and addressing recommendations |
|
Recommendations |
Copy and paste recommendations |
Recommendations in own words from a variety of sources |
Recommendations in own words, variety of sources used and linked to evidence |
Extensive list of recommendations, well researched and supported by evidence |
|
Supported by evidence |
No supporting evidence |
Minimal link to evidence |
Attempts to link recommendations to evidence |
Strong links to evidence explaining recommendations |
|
Vocabulary and Scientific terminology |
Minimal use of scientific terminology |
Some scientific terms used |
Scientific terms used appropriately and used to explain recommendations/ evidence |
Extensive use of scientific terminology and high level vocabulary |
|
Paragraphs, Punctuation and Spelling |
Many errors in formatting and spelling |
Minimal errors in spelling and formatting |
No errors in spelling and formatting |
Excellent layout, paragraph structure, grammar and spelling |
|
Conclusion |
No conclusion |
Brief conclusion, no summary |
Conclusion summarises recommendations briefly |
Thorough conclusion summarising recommendations and concluding the letter |
|
Total / 20 |
|
Conclusion
After completing all three sections of the Wequest Process you should now have an understanding of how scientific evidence can support recommendations.
It is possible that your personal practice of listening to music may have been changed according to your own recommendations.
Credits
For use at The Jannali High School, 2016.
Please seek permission for use.
Teacher Page
Outcomes addressed,
Science Understanding concepts include:
• Energy transfer through different mediums can be explained using wave and particle models (ACSSU182).
• Multi-cellular organisms rely on coordinated and interdependent internal systems to respond to changes to their environment (ACSSU175).
Science as a Human Endeavour concepts include:
• People can use scientific knowledge to evaluate whether they should accept claims, explanations or predictions (ACSHE160).
Science Inquiry Skills include:
• Critically analyse the validity of information in secondary sources and evaluate the approaches used to solve problems (ACSIS172)
• Communicate scientific ideas and information for a particular purpose, including constructing evidence-based arguments and using appropriate scientific language, conventions and representations (ACSIS174)