Classroom lighting and its effect on student learning and performance: Towards smarter conditions

Abstract

The main objective of this study was to determine which lighting factors intervene in the learning processes taking place in a physical classroom, in regard to smart classroom conditioning. It was performed by means of a systematic literature review. Two research questions were posed: What aspects of classroom lighting have studies focused on? And how factors of classroom lighting influence learning processes? From a sample of 130 papers chosen, we identified seven aspects of classroom lighting. One of the aspects is “cognitive processes”, treated in eighteen of the papers. Classroom lighting does affect cognition, and it is proven in terms of academic achievement, attention rates, working speed, productivity and accuracy among other reported effects. LED lighting appears to be the most suitable to improve psychological and cognitive processes in the classroom. Particular importance is given to using higher correlated colour temperature (CCT) and the balance between daylight and artificial light. From the results, it is clearly stated that a dynamic lighting is necessary to host different activities in classroom. Research is now focusing on automation of a dynamic lighting system as the first step towards smart classroom lighting.