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 I was interested in educational psychology and how color, lighting, temperature, and room design all play an important role in creating an optimal learning environment.  Certain colors in a classroom have an impact on a student’s mood and ability to focus (Dagget et al).  Preferred colors for college-age students are green (evoking feelings of comfort and nature) and light yellow (happiness, lively) (Dagget et al).  These colors play a large role in attention span and can produce different physiological responses (Dagget et al).  Long wave colors such as red, orange, and yellow stimulate the autonomic nervous system so students are more alert in class rather than approaching learning passively (“Brain-based Learning 1—Optimal Learning Environments”).   Lighting in a classroom also impacts mood.  A study done by psychiatrist Wayne London found that soft full-spectrum lighting is optimal for learning because it is closest to natural light (Brain-based Learning 1—Optimal Environments).  During cold and gloomy winter months, these lights help boost energy, happiness, and keep attendance high.  In large college classes, the design of a room can have a large impact on the ability of students to hear the professor.  Carpet on the floor can reduce echoes that may distract from what the professor is saying (Lang).  The feeling of cleanliness and newness can also positively impact learning, and so newly refinished buildings often improve a student’s learning environment (Lang).  By creating classroom environments that nudge students toward a certain mood, it can result in more alert and active learners.    

Dagget, Dr. Willard R., Jeffrey E. Cobble, Steven J. Gertel. “Color in an Optimum

            Learning Environment.” International Center for Leadership in Education

            March 2008. 11 Nov. 2009.  http://www.leadered.com/pdf/Color

%20white%20paper.pdf

The article discusses how different colors produce different physiological responses.  In the classroom, green, light yellow, blue, and purple can reduces stress, boredom, and passivity.  Red keeps students alert because it stimulates the autonomic nervous system, and blue results in a sedation effect.  Because these colors can result in physiological responses, using more than six colors can be overwhelming and have a negative impact on learning.  Colors can have different moods associated with them depending on a person’s cultural background.  In general, however, red will create an alert mood. 

Lang, Dale. “Essential Criteria for an Ideal Learning Environment.” New Horizons for

            Learning.  1996.  11 Nov. 2009.  http://www.newhorizons.org/strategies

/learning_environments/lang.htm

Five main factors are associated with creating an optimal learning environment.  Noise control is essential for students to be able to hear the professor.  Large walls with ventilation in them helps block out noise from outside of the classroom, and carpet decreases any echoing that may occur.  Lighting that causes a glare on the chalkboard or walls can be distracting. Easy control of both temperature and technology in the classroom is also important.  If teachers are distracted by fluctuations in temperature or flustered by technological devices, it impacts instruction time and sometimes quality of the teaching.  The final important factor is the cleanliness and newness of a classroom environment.  Studies have shown that attendance and test scores go up in a cleaner environment.

“Brain-based Learning 1—Optimal Environments.” Nutshell Notes.  Nov. 2000. 11

            Nov. 2009.  http://www.isu.edu/ctl/nutshells/old_nutshells/8_8.htm

Lighting and color are two important factors in the learning environment.  In 1988, psychiatrist Wayne London replaced fluorescent light bulbs with full-spectrum lighting in some classrooms.  This lead to a 65% drop in student absences.  Full-spectrum lighting is more similar to natural sunlight than fluorescent lighting.  This boosts mood, creating a more open attitude towards learning.  Color also impacts mood.  Red, orange, and yellow stimulate an active brain response, while green, blue, and violet are associated with relaxation.