Mobile Crowd Sensing-based noise monitoring as a way to improve learning quality on acoustics

The astonishing and continuously growing diffusion of mobile devices, especially amongst youngsters, represents a promising opportunity to improve learning quality in scientific disciplines for both high-school and university students. Mobile embedded sensors allows the development of complete and large-scale environmental monitoring solutions, according to the Mobile Crowd-Sensing (MCS) paradigm. In this research work, we present a MCS-based platform to engage students more effectively in learning acoustics and noise monitoring topics. The proposed system can be used for including experiential activities in didactic coursework on acoustics, as well as for performing fast and inexpensive preliminary monitoring campaigns to assess noise pollution levels. Actual research outcomes show how this approach offers students the possibilities for learning how to use sound level meters and how to perform measurements correctly.