Headphones in the Office
My first use of office headphones took place several years ago when I attended an international online conference on online teaching, and – ever since – their use has become multi-purpose, including selection of video and audio material for courses and listening to background music while I work.
In this blog post I would like to focus on the latter application: background music. What is it for? Well, calm music can create a mildly stimulating yet relaxing atmosphere. I’ll have to admit though that I find it more appropriate when involved in routine, simple office work such as straightforward typing than when the work requires deep concentration or focused reading. The headphones also help muffle any intruding noise from corridors, neighbouring offices, etc.
Before AUB subscribed to the online Naxos music database, available on campus through the University Libraries, one would have to play audio clips (or CDs) over and over again, but now one has a wider choice from the database. The bulk of the music seems to be classical/ instrumental though one can still find other genres such as opera. Search for Pavarotti, and you’ll see. Searching for Fairouz though won’t deliver any hits, nor will searching for pop groups such as ABBA, which you’ll have to find on sites such YouTube; any accompanying videos should preferably be kept in the background away from view as they can be distracting!
Basically, when there is external noise in the office, rather than ask people to be quiet, one can try to muffle the sound – but should one have to? When people take a break, talk in the corridors, or chat loudly with their students, shouldn’t they remember that someone else is working and may need to concentrate? Or is the “real” work of a teacher supposed to take place at home these days, with the office being a mere transitional stop between the classroom and the home? Deliberate noise should, in my view, be considered a form of harassment, but most workplace noise does not seem to fit into that category. Disturbance from campus construction and student events is an example I’ve encountered complaints about in faculty emails.
Am I recommending the use of headphones as a solution? Yes, it could be a partial solution. One must be realistic though: it won’t block out all the noise and may be interpreted as burying one’s head in the sand rather than confronting the source of the problem.
Posted by May Mikati on 29 August 2011, 11:28 AM
My first use of office headphones took place several years ago when I attended an international online conference on online teaching, and – ever since – their use has become multi-purpose, including selection of video and audio material for courses and listening to background music while I work.
In this blog post I would like to focus on the latter application: background music. What is it for? Well, calm music can create a mildly stimulating yet relaxing atmosphere. I’ll have to admit though that I find it more appropriate when involved in routine, simple office work such as straightforward typing than when the work requires deep concentration or focused reading. The headphones also help muffle any intruding noise from corridors, neighbouring offices, etc.
Before AUB subscribed to the online Naxos music database, available on campus through the University Libraries, one would have to play audio clips (or CDs) over and over again, but now one has a wider choice from the database. The bulk of the music seems to be classical/ instrumental though one can still find other genres such as opera. Search for Pavarotti, and you’ll see. Searching for Fairouz though won’t deliver any hits, nor will searching for pop groups such as ABBA, which you’ll have to find on sites such YouTube; any accompanying videos should preferably be kept in the background away from view as they can be distracting!
Basically, when there is external noise in the office, rather than ask people to be quiet, one can try to muffle the sound – but should one have to? When people take a break, talk in the corridors, or chat loudly with their students, shouldn’t they remember that someone else is working and may need to concentrate? Or is the “real” work of a teacher supposed to take place at home these days, with the office being a mere transitional stop between the classroom and the home? Deliberate noise should, in my view, be considered a form of harassment, but most workplace noise does not seem to fit into that category. Disturbance from campus construction and student events is an example I’ve encountered complaints about in faculty emails.
Am I recommending the use of headphones as a solution? Yes, it could be a partial solution. One must be realistic though: it won’t block out all the noise and may be interpreted as burying one’s head in the sand rather than confronting the source of the problem.
Posted by May Mikati on 29 August 2011, 11:28 AM
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