A 1999 study by the Heschong Mahone Group (Daylighting in Schools: An Investigation into the Relationship Between Daylighting and Human Performance) found that students in classrooms with the most natural light progressed 20% faster in math and 26% faster in reading than those in classrooms with the least natural light. This is a significant impact natural lighting can have on student academic success and overall well-being. The Ask a Tech Teacher team decided to dig into this more. Here’s what we found:
Why Natural Light Is So Important in School Design
Students studying in classrooms with enough daylight have been shown to perform better on tests and exhibit less behavioral issues, something which may seem obvious but is sometimes neglected during school space design.
Daylight is an integral element of learning, proven to reduce absenteeism, improve focus and raise mood. Here, we explore why daylight should be integrated into school design as an integral component.
Why daylight?
Make natural lighting a priority in schools for one main reason: It improves academic performance. Students exposed to daylight scored 20% higher on math and reading tests compared to their counterparts in artificially lit classes, according to one study.
Daylighting also plays a key role in keeping children healthy. Direct sunlight stimulates their brain, prompting their bodies to produce serotonin and Vitamin D production – this has been demonstrated to elevate moods, alleviate stress and ward off seasonal affective disorder (SAD).
Daylighting saves energy by lowering peak electricity demand when electric lighting is switched off or dimmed during the day. This is especially helpful in school buildings with limited budgets. Shading systems help regulate how much sunlight enters a room to avoid excessive glare or heat gain.
How to design with daylight
Lighting with natural daylight as the main source helps save both money and the environment, while simultaneously improving wellbeing by creating a positive learning environment.
An effective design begins with an understanding of the sun’s daily and seasonal movements, building orientation, layout, window size placement and glazing as well as overall daylighting needs.
A well-designed system should incorporate diffusing materials and shading, which can help reduce contrast and eye strain. Furthermore, providing easy-to-use blinds or controls so occupants can adjust lighting levels themselves can prevent overheating or glare issues from occurring.
Controlling excessive glare
Glare can disrupt students’ visual performance and cause eye strain in classrooms, forcing students to compensate by squinting or shifting their heads – this approach is inefficient; for optimal performance a uniform level of illumination should be employed instead.
Building orientation alone cannot ensure optimal daylighting design, however. Windows play an equally significant part. Sun control devices and shading devices should also be considered when designing classrooms facing south to avoid overheating and glare issues.
Recent research shows that students whose classrooms feature natural lighting scored 15% higher on tests compared to traditional side-window rooms. It may be because natural light helps elevate mood and concentration levels as well as reduce student absenteeism; exposure to it stimulates hormone secretion that benefits bone and mental health, so schools are now seeking ways to bring daylight into learning spaces.
Windows vs. skylights
Windows and skylights play a crucial role іn creating optimal learning environments. Natural light has been shown tо enhance student focus, mood, and overall well-being. While windows are a traditional source оf natural light, skylights offer a unique opportunity tо maximize daylighting, especially іn classrooms with limited wall space.
Skylights can significantly increase the amount оf natural light іn a classroom, reducing the reliance оn artificial lighting and creating a more open and inviting atmosphere. However, it’s essential tо consider factors such as heat gain, glare, and shading tо ensure optimal lighting conditions.
By carefully considering the placement and type оf windows and skylights, educational institutions can create classrooms that promote student learning and well-being.
Proper window installation and maintenance are essential for maximizing the benefits оf natural light. Issues such as poor windows installation can lead tо energy loss, drafts, and discomfort. Regular inspections and repairs are necessary tо ensure optimal performance and prevent costly replacements.
To enhance the aesthetic appeal and functionality оf educational spaces, consider incorporating custom window design for Winnipeg home. This allows for tailored solutions that address specific lighting needs and architectural styles.
Building standards and light levels
A building’s orientation and layout determine how much sunlight enters its spaces. For optimal classroom results, orientation should be optimized to allow sunlight in without excessive shading or glare; additionally solar control measures should be provided to avoid overheating or excessive illumination levels.
Artificial lighting may be necessary in certain spaces, such as janitor’s closets and classrooms without windows; however, most school spaces should utilize natural light whenever possible for optimal performance. Modern electric lighting systems use significantly less energy than older fluorescent tubes or heat-shedding incandescent bulbs.
Studies have demonstrated the positive results of proper daylighting in schools on test scores and overall student performance. Alongside air temperature and acoustics, light is one of the key design parameters of schools and classrooms.
Here’s the sign-up link if the image above doesn’t work:
https://forms.aweber.com/form/07/1910174607.htm
“The content presented in this blog are the result of creative imagination and not intended for use, reproduction, or incorporation into any artificial intelligence training or machine learning systems without prior written consent from the author.”
Jacqui Murray has been teaching K-18 technology for 30 years. She is the editor/author of over a hundred tech ed resources including a K-12 technology curriculum, K-8 keyboard curriculum, K-8 Digital Citizenship curriculum. She is an adjunct professor in tech ed, Master Teacher, webmaster for four blogs, freelance journalist on tech ed topics, contributor to NEA Today, and author of the tech thrillers, To Hunt a Sub and Twenty-four Days. You can find her resources at Structured Learning.
