The Indoor Climate And Students' Learning Performance In Schools

• Published in: WIT Transactions on Ecology and the Environment 2015-01, Vol.199, p.287
• Main Authors: Koiv, T-A, Mikola, A, Saar, A, Silm, G
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Air quality; Air temperature; Carbon dioxide; Classrooms; Climate; Climate studies; HVAC equipment; Indoor environments; Learning; School buildings; Schools; Students; Ventilation
• ISSN: 1746-448X; 1743-3541
• DOI: 10.2495/RAV150241

The paper gives an overview of indoor climate studies in various schools in Estonia. It is based on various measurements of indoor air temperature and CO sub(2) concentration in six different schools and provides an overview of the principle of determining the CO sub(2) level. The indoor climate in six school buildings was investigated and students' relative performance was determined. The study showed that indoor air temperature in the classes of the studied schools is at a satisfactory level. At the same time even in renovated schools, there are problems with air quality (the CO2 level is usually very high and air change is modest). The outcome is low learning performance. Because the ventilation in classrooms is modest, students' relative performance is not high. This study shows that well-organized ventilation in classrooms is important, not only from the aspect of indoor climate comfort, but also significantly affects students' performance. To improve this situation it is necessary to raise the quality of renovation and the operational level of HVAC systems.