Have you ever struggled to focus in a classroom that felt overly hot if not freezing cold? Even though the temperature of a room may possibly seem like a minor issue, it can cause a significant impact when it comes to a students ability to learn as well as staying motivated. It can boost someone’s mood just as much as it can decrease it, playing a rather important role in shaping a classroom atmosphere.
The temperature of a classroom can directly influence a students’ ability to focus as well as complete their work. If a room is too hot, students may feel tired and distracted as their brains become overwhelmed, leading to slower reactions as well as difficulties absorbing and retaining the information given during said class. Even so, colder rooms can force the body to work harder to stay warm, which diverts energy away from concentration and causes fatigue. According to a research report from Pennsylvania State University’s Center for Evaluation and Education Policy Analysis, the optimal temperature for effective learning when it comes to reading and math ranges between 68 and 74 degrees Fahrenheit. Being in these ranges allows students to work better and more efficiently in their classrooms.
When doing a survey at our school, we asked 15 different students to answer questions in regards to temperature and its effects on them. The students stated that in a colder classroom, they feel more uncomfortable yet still somewhat focused, while in a hotter classroom they expressed they felt distracted, sleepy, and uncomfortable. A student directly stated that they would prefer for the school to be “Warm enough to have a sweater on but not too warm that my coat feels like i’m overheating, a neutral temperature where I feel comfortable and don’t have to focus so much on how cold or hot it is.”
In order to enhance learning, schools should prioritize maintaining a consistent and moderate room temperature. This not only improves students’ ability to stay focused but also positively impacts their mood, creating an environment that encourages productivity as well as academic success rather than struggling to stay comfortable.
