Ramen Munir Baloch1, Cara Nichole Maesano1, Jens Christoffersen2, Corinne Mandin3, Eva Csobod4, Eduardo de Oliveira Fernandes5, Isabella Annesi-Maesano1, On Behalf Of The Sinphonie Consortium. 1. Epidemiology of Allergic and Respiratory Diseases (EPAR) Department, Saint-Antoine Medical School, INSERM, Pierre Louis Institute of Epidemiology and Public Health (IPLESP UMRS 1136), Sorbonne Université, 27 rue de Chaligny, CEDEX 12, 75571 Paris, France. 2. Velux A/S, Ådalsvej 99, DK-2970 Hørsholm, Denmark. 3. Scientific and Technical Centre for Building, University Paris Est, 77447 Marne-la-Vallée, France. 4. Regional Environmental Center for Central and Eastern Europe (REC), 9-11 Ady Endre ut, 2000 Szentendre, Hungary. 5. Institute of Science and Innovation in Mechanical Engineering and Industrial Management (INEGI), Porto 4200-465, Portugal.
Abstract
: Aims and objectives: Lighting constitutes a critical issue in school design because of its importance as a strong enabler of performance, which is crucial for child development. However, data on light impacts on school performance are scarce. The main objective of this study was to assess the relationship between daylighting conditions in classrooms and mathematical and logical test scores. METHODS: The population-based SINPHONIE (Schools Indoor Pollution and Heath: Observatory Network in Europe) study provides information on relationships between lighting conditions and school performance for 2670 elementary schoolchildren, aged 8-13 years from 155 classrooms in 53 schools across 12 European countries. These data were acquired through direct physical assessments and questionnaires completed by teachers, schoolchildren, and their parents, allowing for estimations of multiple objective daylight indicators, as well as subjective parameters such as the perception of lighting. Schoolchildren performed an attention/concentration exam that included simple mathematical exercises in addition to a logical ciphering test. The corresponding performance scores were compared against multiple daylighting parameters. RESULTS: A positive relationship was found between performance scores and type of window shading, latitude, percentage of window facing south, and window glazing, with the highest impact due to the window-to-floor area ratio. CONCLUSION: Data collected in the SINPHONIE study across 12 European countries indicate that daylighting parameters are relevant to schoolchildren's performance. As SINPHONIE was not designed specifically with lighting in mind, dedicated studies covering a wide range of classroom configurations would be enlightening.
: Aims and objectives: Lighting constitutes a critical issue in school design because of its importance as a strong enabler of performance, which is crucial for child development. However, data on light impacts on school performance are scarce. The main objective of this study was to assess the relationship between daylighting conditions in classrooms and mathematical and logical test scores. METHODS: The population-based SINPHONIE (Schools Indoor Pollution and Heath: Observatory Network in Europe) study provides information on relationships between lighting conditions and school performance for 2670 elementary schoolchildren, aged 8-13 years from 155 classrooms in 53 schools across 12 European countries. These data were acquired through direct physical assessments and questionnaires completed by teachers, schoolchildren, and their parents, allowing for estimations of multiple objective daylight indicators, as well as subjective parameters such as the perception of lighting. Schoolchildren performed an attention/concentration exam that included simple mathematical exercises in addition to a logical ciphering test. The corresponding performance scores were compared against multiple daylighting parameters. RESULTS: A positive relationship was found between performance scores and type of window shading, latitude, percentage of window facing south, and window glazing, with the highest impact due to the window-to-floor area ratio. CONCLUSION: Data collected in the SINPHONIE study across 12 European countries indicate that daylighting parameters are relevant to schoolchildren's performance. As SINPHONIE was not designed specifically with lighting in mind, dedicated studies covering a wide range of classroom configurations would be enlightening.
Entities:
Keywords:
illuminance; indoor air quality; natural light; performance; schools