• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

My TechDecisions

  • Best of Tech Decisions
  • Topics
    • Video
    • Audio
    • Mobility
    • Unified Communications
    • IT Infrastructure
    • Network Security
    • Physical Security
    • Facility
    • Compliance
  • RFP Resources
  • Resources
  • Podcasts
  • Subscribe
  • Project of the Week
  • About Us
    SEARCH
Facility

How Does Classroom Lighting Affect the Students? Part I

In the first of a three part series, we explore how classroom lighting can help keep students alert

July 14, 2016 TechDecisions Staff 2 Comments

Classroom lighting can be an overlooked factor for children’s success in school. However, studies have shown that lighting quality affects students’ abilities to see clearly, concentrate and perform well in the classroom. Since lighting plays a critical role in our everyday lives, it’s worth our while to understand the quality of light that’s shining down on our children.

In the first part of our series we’ll explain how replacing traditional classroom lighting with full-spectrum lighting helps students’ performance in the classroom.

Classroom Lighting and Visual Acuity

Could it be possible that different classroom lighting, or the use of fluorescent classroom light filters, could improve children’s abilities to see clearly?

Visual acuity (VA) commonly refers to the clarity of vision. Visual Acuity is dependent on optical and neural factors, i.e. (i) the sharpness of the terinal focus within the eye, (ii) the helath and functioning of the retina, and (iii) the sensitivity of the interpretative faculty of the brain.

A 2006 study by Berman et al. on lighting and visual acuity suggests this is exactly the case. The study compared the use of standard color temperature fluorescent lighting with the use of high color temperature fluorescent lighting on children’s visual acuity in the classroom.

Let’s quickly define visual acuity: Visual acuity is the clarity or sharpness of vision. The graphic below shows the Snellen chart, a common method for measuring a person’s visual acuity.

Read Next: What Are The Differences Between CFL Lighting and LED Lighting?

Classroom Lighting Study Results

The results from the study were quite enlightening, if you’ll pardon the pun.

The study showed that high color temperature fluorescent lighting helps students see clearer and allows them to read faster. It also reduces the visual fatigue and glare that are typically experienced with standard color temperature fluorescent lighting.

Classroom lighting used in the study included standard 3600K correlated color temperature (CCT) lights and 5500K CCT fluorescent fixtures.

To better explain what this means, we’ve provided a breakdown of correlated color temperatures:

  • 2000K CCT is equal to sunlight at sunrise or sunset under clear skies
  • 3500K CCT is the equivalent to direct sunlight an hour after sunrise
  • 4300K CCT is like morning or afternoon direct sunlight
  • 5400K CCT is akin to noon summer sunlight

In short, high-quality classroom lighting improves students’ visual acuity, giving them the sight they need to perform well in school.

Pupil Size Matters

What does a smaller pupil diameter mean? When the pupil is smaller, the depth of the vision field increases and visual acuity improves. This, in turn, results in a reduction in visual fatigue, faster reading times and less visual glare. Essentially, the eye is seeing at its most optimal level.

Whether you are using high color temperature classroom lighting bulbs or classroom light filters to increase the color temperature, you will find your students benefit from improved visual acuity and often perform better in the classroom. By adding more blue/green into the color spectrum, you are essentially creating full spectrum light.

The study also notes a strong correlation between pupil size and reading performance, where light spectrum, not brightness is the driving factor. In a follow-up blog, we will examine exactly how replacing lighting in classrooms with full spectrum lighting has proven to increase reading and math test scores.

 

Read Next:

How Does Classroom Lighting Affect the Students? Part II

How Does Classroom Lighting Affect the Students? Part III

 

Erik Hinds is Vice President of Helping People at Make Great Light. For more information on how fluorescent light filters for classrooms can improve the learning environment, please visit the resource center.

Citations
Berman, Sm, M. Navvab, Mj Martin, J. Sheedy, and W. Tithof. “A “Comparison of Traditional and High Colour Temperature Lighting on the near Acuity of Elementary School Children.” Lighting Research and Technology Light Res Technol 38.1 (2006): 41-52. Web.

 

Tagged With: K12, Lighting

Related Content:

  • Students running down a campus hall and following signs on a Samsung digital display. Samsung Electronics Unveils First Look at New Education…
  • The Moment Vault at Orlando International Airport Terminal C The Moment Vault Multi-User Interactive Technology Solution at…
  • Screen Cloud deskless worker How To Improve Deskless Employee Engagement With The…
  • Microsoft Retail Microsoft Announces New Smart Store Tech, Retail Communication…

Free downloadable guide you may like:

  • Blueprint Series Cover: What works for hybrid workBlueprint Series: What Works for Hybrid Work

    Download this free resource to learn about how IT leaders can effectively manage and implement a hybrid work model.

Reader Interactions

Trackbacks

  1. Can we design learning environments geared for maximum motivation? – Instant Expert Success says:
    June 19, 2018 at 9:08 am

    […] natural, fluorescent, or some combination of alternative lighting—must be bright enough for students to complete their work. If possible, place SMART boards or other demonstration […]

    Reply
  2. 4 Ways To Help Your School Run Smoothly - My TechDecisions says:
    January 4, 2019 at 2:51 pm

    […] Read Next: How Does Classroom Lighting Affect the Students? […]

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Get the FREE Tech Decisions eNewsletter

Sign up Today!

Latest Downloads

Harnessing the Power of Digital Signage
Harnessing the Power of Digital Signage

Choosing the best solutions for messaging, branding, and communicating in today’s content-everywhere landscape

Blueprint Series Cover: What works for hybrid work
Blueprint Series: What Works for Hybrid Work

Download this free resource to learn about how IT leaders can effectively manage and implement a hybrid work model.

Guide to creating a ransomware response plan download
Blueprint Series: Creating a Ransomware Response Plan

Chances are ransomware hackers are researching your company right now. They’re investing time and money to choose the most profitable targets and a...

View All Downloads

Would you like your latest project featured on TechDecisions as Project of the Week?

Apply Today!
Sharp Microsoft Collaboration HQ Logo

Learn More About the
Windows Collaboration Display

More from Our Sister Publications

Get the latest news about AV integrators and Security installers from our sister publications:

Commercial IntegratorSecurity Sales

AV-iQ

Footer

TechDecisions

  • Home
  • Welcome to TechDecisions
  • Subscribe to the Newsletter
  • Contact Us
  • Media Solutions & Advertising
  • Comment Guidelines
  • RSS Feeds
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Linkedin

Free Technology Guides

FREE Downloadable resources from TechDecisions provide timely insight into the issues that IT, A/V, and Security end-users, managers, and decision makers are facing in commercial, corporate, education, institutional, and other vertical markets

View all Guides
TD Project of the Week

Get your latest project featured on TechDecisions Project of the Week. Submit your work once and it will be eligible for all upcoming weeks.

Enter Today!
Emerald Logo
ABOUTCAREERSAUTHORIZED SERVICE PROVIDERSTERMS OF USEPRIVACY POLICY

© 2023 Emerald X, LLC. All rights reserved.