Connecting with Your Audience: 2. Practical Matters
Making Adjustments for Student Grade Level or Age
The original Dangerous Decibels program was designed to target 4th and 5th graders in order to obtain changes in knowledge, attitudes, beliefs and behaviors regarding hearing health. This does not mean the program cannot be delivered to other age groups or grade levels.
Older Students
For older students, the Dangerous Decibels educator would familiarize themselves with the knowledge basis of the older students in each of the modules and adjust accordingly. For instance, when reviewing ear anatomy and physiology, the students may have learned the names of other parts of the ear and more about auditory physiology. In this case, the relevant level of science would substitute for the more basic level. Another example, might be when discussing decibels as a measurement of sound, a high school student may have learned about logarithms and would understand the formula for a decibel and the magnitude of differences in decibels. Classroom teachers will be especially helpful and adept at identifying these knowledge areas. Older students may also be able to engage in more classroom discussion and self-reflection, so additional time may need to be allowed for expanded discourse and questioning.
For older students, the Dangerous Decibels educator would familiarize themselves with the knowledge basis of the older students in each of the modules and adjust accordingly. For instance, when reviewing ear anatomy and physiology, the students may have learned the names of other parts of the ear and more about auditory physiology. In this case, the relevant level of science would substitute for the more basic level. Another example, might be when discussing decibels as a measurement of sound, a high school student may have learned about logarithms and would understand the formula for a decibel and the magnitude of differences in decibels. Classroom teachers will be especially helpful and adept at identifying these knowledge areas. Older students may also be able to engage in more classroom discussion and self-reflection, so additional time may need to be allowed for expanded discourse and questioning.
Younger Students
For younger students, the module content is simplified and concepts are general and not as detailed. The Dangerous Decibels program was originally evaluated in first graders, but the youth had difficulty understanding concepts and managing the hands-on aspects of the program. For this reason, the Dangerous Decibels Program is not recommended for very young students.