LED lighting in schools – the right lighting is this important

The type of lighting has a major influence on our ability to concentrate and learn. That makes it all the more important for schools to implement suitable lighting concepts. But what should you pay attention to when choosing LED lighting for schools? How can a pleasant learning environment be created with light? I answer questions like that in the following article.

Often underestimated: the influence of lighting conditions on concentration

It has long been known that a good quality of lighting has a positive impact on our ability to concentrate and absorb things. Nevertheless, numerous schools still underestimate the huge importance of lighting in the classroom. The current state of affairs at many schools is sad testimony to that. Out-of-date lighting systems that have been in use for well more than 15 years are anything but an isolated case. The consequences of these inadequate systems are not only poorly lit classrooms. Pupils also tire far sooner as a result of the poor lighting conditions – and so perform less well than they could. So let’s hope that schools soon see the light.

Illuminance – recommended levels for good LED lighting in schools

What should good LED lighting at schools look like in detail? Up front: Simply installing state-of-the-art lighting systems is not the be all and end all. A key factor for a pleasant climate to learn and work in is illuminance. The DIN EN 12464-1 standard on the lighting of indoor workplaces recommends an illuminance of not less than 300 lux. An illuminance of 500 lux is even more conducive to concentration in classrooms.

Performance-enhancing lighting in schools – the role of color temperature

The attention of pupils is not only affected by illuminance, but also by the color temperature, which is expressed in kelvin. That’s not surprising – after all, the atmosphere of a room can be changed selectively by means of the color temperature. The combination of illuminance and color temperature allows two learning scenarios to be realized:

1. Relaxed learning environment: Low illuminances and warm light colors are ideal for creating a pleasant and relaxed climate for learning in rooms. That combination creates a soothing learning environment.
2. Concentrated work atmosphere: In contrast, high illuminances and cool light colors sharpen the concentration. Such lighting should be implemented in classrooms intended for concentrated work and examinations.

Implementing lighting concepts in schools – tips and tricks

There is also a whole raft of other criteria that should be applied to LED lighting in schools. Here are some of the most important:

• Use daylight: In order to ensure an ideal light quality, the incident daylight should be used as best possible – supplemented with additional sources of light as and when needed.
• Illuminate the blackboard: The blackboard is a very important part of teaching in classrooms. It should always be illuminated separately. Lighting it with an illuminance of 500 lux is recommended.
• Take the room’s equipment and furnishings into account: Rooms in schools have different equipment and furnishings, depending on what they are used for. The number and arrangement of tables, chairs and learning materials must be taken into account as part of the lighting concept. Only then can homogeneous and functional illumination be achieved.
• Retain flexibility: It is also advisable to use dimmable lighting sources so that the lighting conditions in the room can be adjusted flexibly.
• This background knowledge can be used to implement lighting concepts that truly reflect the needs of pupils.