Review by Stacy Zeiger, Common Sense Education | Updated December 2013

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Too Noisy Pro

Name: Too Noisy Pro
Item: Too Noisy Pro
Rating: 3
Author: Stacy Zeiger

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Handy tool helps students monitor their classroom volume

Subjects & skills

Grades This grade range is based on learning appropriateness and doesn't take into account privacy. It's determined by Common Sense Education, not the product's publisher.

Pre-K–6

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Common Sense says (See details)

Teachers say (2 Reviews)

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4 images

Control the noise threshold, rewards, and other aspects of the app.

As the classroom gets louder, the mood of the image changes.

Customize the screen with multiple templates.

Being too loud results in a cracked screen and the sound of an alarm.

Pros: Rewards and background themes help keep kids engaged in monitoring their sound levels.

Cons: Microphone sensitivity may cause the alarm to sound when it is not justified.

Bottom Line: Too Noisy Pro can help kids pay attention to their sound levels and stay on task while working.

How Can I Teach with This Tool?

If teachers want Too Noisy Pro to work effectively, they must spend time talking to students about its purpose. When they first introduce it to the class, they can play a few games to introduce students to what appropriate volume levels sound like in each classroom scenario (independent work time, test-taking time, group work time, etc.) and what sound students should listen for to know they’re being too loud. While the stars themselves may be enough to motivate some students, teachers should tie them to a larger reward to provide extra motivation. For example, maybe earning 10 stars earns the class an extra 10 minutes of recess.

What Is It?

On the screen, kids see a noise detector and a cute background. Behind the scenes, teachers set the acceptable sound level, microphone sensitivity, theme, and a host of other options. After setup, most teachers will opt to display the app on a larger screen so all students can track the noise level in the classroom. If the class remains at an acceptable level for the entire interval selected by the teacher (between one minute and 15 minutes), they earn a star. If they do not, they see the noise meter increase and eventually watch the screen crack as an alarm sounds. Teachers can select from six generic alarms or opt to record their own alarm to get students' attention. Once students quiet down, the interval starts again and students have another chance to earn stars.

Is It Good for Learning?

A little noise can be a good thing in a classroom, but during some activities quiet is better. Whether sitting through a short lesson, working independently, or talking in groups, students can see Too Noisy Pro's sound meter in the background as a reminder to keep the volume at an appropriate level. The potential to earn stars motivates them, and the sounding alarm quickly reminds them to calm it down.

Rating Details

Overall Rating

Engagement Would it motivate students and hold their interest? Is it visually appealing? Would it inspire teachers to try something new or change their instruction?

Themed backgrounds encourage kids to pay attention to the screen. As they work, the constantly adjusting meter, the ability to earn stars, and an alarm when they get too loud keeps kids focused on sticking to an appropriate noise level.

Pedagogy Does the tool help teachers promote a more student-centered experience? Will students gain conceptual understanding or think critically? Does it deepen teachers’ pedagogical thinking?

Kids learn the importance of following the rules and what it means to keep the noise at an appropriate level. Different sound settings help fit a variety of learning environments.

Support Can students and teachers get assistance when they need it? Is it created with people of different abilities and backgrounds in mind? Is learning reinforced and extended beyond the digital experience?

A basic help file answers questions teachers may have and provides an overview of how to use the app.

Common Sense Reviewer

Stacy Zeiger Homeschooling parent

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Teacher Reviews

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Featured review by
Lisa B. , Classroom teacher

Classroom teacher

Hershey Middle School
Hershey, United States

Basic classroom management tool for noise levels

This is a basic tool that does exactly what it's name says. This is not something that will radically change the classroom; most teachers have other strategies they already use to monitor and control noise levels.

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