Loudspeaker array system for exhibition support into museum Effectiveness verification of sound spot for science education

This paper describes the new design of the exhibition support system in a museum. ldquoIt is a support system which can be suitable individually in a learner´s diversity and situation.rdquo The loudspeaker array system can form the high-sound pressure area. This area is called sound spot. The loudspeaker array system is a noncontact sound interface. In this paper, the effectiveness of this system is verified for science education. The two experiments are conducted. First experiment, the effectiveness of sound information and paper information are compared. The comparison between explaining exhibition by texts and sounds is performed at the museum. We search the effective of explaining by letters and sound by questionnaire and quiz of examinees. Second experiment, the ease of listening is compared by the loudspeaker array system and a loudspeaker. We search the effective of ease of listening by questionnaire. In all the experiments, elementary school students are targets. A participant is a sixth grader from a third grader.