Development of a Horn Speaker by Bending Wood as a Teaching Activity

Abstract

This research was conducted to develop a teaching activity for producing a horn speaker by bending wood. The aim was to introduce compound teaching materials by “materials and processing" with “energy conversion" in technology education curriculum used at a Japanese junior high school. The speaker was stereo type with front loading horns consisting of three pieces of thin woods bent to produce the rich, mid-low range with a horn acoustic effect. An inexpensive two-inch speaker unit with a relatively high acoustic range was used. In addition, a hinged joint between the upper front of the horn speaker and the lower enclosure controlled and modified the acoustic quality by insulating the amp system inside the enclosure. An expected outcome was improved technological literacy based on an experiential understanding of acoustic mechanisms balanced with processing. As a preliminary step, the quality of the horn speaker was verified and modified with acoustic testing. Then, its effectiveness as a teaching material was investigated by incorporating it into teaching practices. Consequently, listeners responded positively the acoustic listening test because of the horn's influence on increasing mid-low frequencies in the acoustic range. Finally, results of the questionnaire disseminated to evaluate the lesson indicated that the teaching material was highly effective.