turn this into a 1250 word essay When I was younger I went to a school in Baltimore that had no windows, dark gray walls, and dim lights. Everyone in my classes never felt like doing work and always said they felt down or depressed. For my final project, I will look at the effect of light on students' productivity.

Light has a profound effect on human well-being. In particular, lighting plays an important role in students’ mental and physical development. A well-lit environment has been shown to positively impact students’ academic performance, motivation, and overall health. Unfortunately, school buildings across the country are not always adequately lit, which negatively impacts students.

Before we can explore how lighting affects students in a school, it’s important to understand the types of lighting. Natural light is the safest and most effective form of daylight and lighting. Artificial light is produced using household appliances such as fluorescent lights, fluorescents, and LEDs, and comes in different colors such as cool white, bright white, and daylight. Lumens are used to measure luminance and color temperature in kelvins. Appropriate lighting, angle, distribution, and intensity can positively affect a student’s mood, performance, and performance.

Incorrect classroom lighting can cause many problems for students. According to a study in the UK, children performed better on reading, spelling, and math tests when exposed to natural light compared to dim light, which was associated with decreased academic achievement (Cooper, 2018). Also, in the presence of unnatural light, excessive blue light interferes with sleep patterns, leaving students tired and less productive the next day as stated by the American Medical Association (AMA), light that is more blue in the evening and late at night Associated with a group (AMA, 2019).

The lighting in the classroom also affects the mood. Researchers at the University of Twente in the Netherlands found that the color of light can affect students’ emotions. The results of their study showed that people who were exposed to “blue” light for half an hour in the morning felt more alert and sleepy than those who were exposed to amber light (Kalsbeek & Meijer). , 2008). Another similar study from the same university showed that students’ circadian patterns could be improved if artificial lighting resembled natural daylight levels (Vos et al., 2018).

In addition to bright colors, it is also important to consider the amount of lighting when it comes to a student’s performance in the classroom. Low light levels can cause migraines, blurred vision, drowsiness, and difficulty concentrating (Bol et al., 2014). Poor lighting can make classroom and school work stressful, leading to decreased motivation and creativity, which can hinder academic achievement (Draaijer et al., 2018).

Although a lack of lighting in a school is detrimental to student well-being, many effective lighting strategies can improve student mood and well-being One strategy is to choose natural light. Adding natural light, such as windows and skylights, is the most effective way to promote student well-being. Classroom environments with high levels of daylight positively impact learning, performance, and overall health. Natural light not only enhances academic performance but also enhances creativity and supports science teaching and art education topics (Fonseca et al., 2013).
Here are some positive examples of how natural light affects students’ productivity:

Increased alertness: Adequate light exposure during the day has been shown to increase alertness and cognitive function, leading to better productivity in academic tasks. This is especially true when students are exposed to blue-enriched light, which mimics the natural daylight spectrum.

Reduced fatigue: Poor lighting conditions, such as low light levels or high glare, can lead to visual discomfort and fatigue, reducing students’ productivity. Research has shown that improper lighting can also lead to headaches, migraines, and a decline in work quality, which can ultimately affect academic performance.

 Improved focus: Exposure to natural light has been shown to improve students’ focus and attention span, leading to increased productivity. In contrast, dim lighting can compromise visual acuity, making it difficult for students to focus or read small text.

 Better performance in standardized tests: Studies have shown that students exposed to natural daylight in classrooms outperform students in classrooms with poor artificial lighting conditions when it comes to standardized tests and other academic assessment tasks.

 Increased motivation: Proper lighting can contribute to a positive learning environment, which has been shown to increase motivation levels in students. On the flip side, poor lighting conditions can make students feel demotivated and disengaged, leading to reduced productivity levels.

Another option is to use proper artificial lights. LEDs in particular have tremendous potential to improve classroom lighting. LEDs are more affordable, environmentally friendly, and provide long-lasting, color-adjustable, and energy-efficient light. When used properly, LEDs can mimic natural daylight, helping students’ circadian rhythms and increasing their alertness. A study by Tulsi University in Switzerland found that classrooms with better lighting, more bright light, and color display improved visual performance and halved errors committed by students (Perry et al.). , 2016).

When it comes to lighting in the classroom, there are some important things teachers can consider to support student well-being. For example, well-placed windows that allow plenty of natural light can positively impact a student’s learning. At the same time, teachers in the classroom should avoid direct sunlight, as excessive glare or glare can distract students. In addition, teachers can use artificial lighting that mimics natural daylight—or even the color of natural sunlight—by adjusting the color temperature. Adjustable, simple lighting and computer screens with adjustable blue lights can greatly improve student sleep.

In conclusion, lighting plays an important role in students’ cognitive and physical development, thus prioritizing the need for effective lighting in school settings Poor classroom lighting conditions can reduce motivation, has reduced academic achievement, and negatively affected student well-being. It is therefore important for schools and teachers to implement cost-effective and efficient lighting systems and prioritize natural light and LED lighting while avoiding sun or direct glare. In turn, good lighting conditions can keep students motivated, productive, and successful.