Environmental impact
Learning can be affected in a number of ways. A noisy or chaotic environment can make it hard for children to focus on their studies. If they do not have a dedicated space to study or complete their homework, they will find it difficult to concentrate. A well-lit area that is quiet and organised can help them concentrate, learn and retain information. A well-designed classroom will help students focus during lessons. It can also promote a positive learning environment and make them feel more engaged. For advice from an Education Architect, contact Quattro who offer Education Architect services.
The learning environment of a student is not just the space that surrounds them. This can include their social and cultural environment. If a student comes from a different background than the dominant culture of the school, they might feel excluded. It can also affect their ability to study.
What Schools Can Do
Many studies have demonstrated the importance of classroom environment changes in relation to academic success. The University of Salford conducted a study in 2015 to examine the impact of classroom design. Researchers studied 153 classrooms from 27 different primary schools. They looked at everything, including air quality and room colours.
Researchers found that a well-designed classroom can boost learning. Differences in the classroom environment were responsible for 16 percent of the variance in student learning progress. Lighting can influence how students learn. A study, published earlier this year, showed that low lighting levels could improve neurophysiological activity and memory skills.
Five classroom design factors that shape learning
The physical layout of a classroom affects learning as much as the wider study environment. A clean, uncluttered space helps pupils focus, and research at the University of Salford identified five design elements with a significant impact on how well students learn: colour, choice, complexity, flexibility and light.
Light shades on most walls combined with one bright feature wall gives the right level of visual stimulation. Choice refers to furniture, such as ergonomic chairs and tables and accessible storage. Complexity is about balance: displaying pupils’ own work personalises the room and gives them a sense of pride, but too much visual stimulation can distract.
Flexibility means a space that can be arranged in different ways for a wide range of activities. Natural light is best for learning, though glare on whiteboards and other reflective surfaces needs managing. Where artificial lighting is needed, good quality sources are better than fluorescent tubes, which can reduce pupils’ attention.