Study of attentional performance in children in classrooms with different lighting conditions

Lighting is one of the most critical physical characteristics in a learning space. This paper aims to evaluate by two experimental instances attentional performance in a detection task related to monochrome details in classrooms under different lighting conditions, considering correlated color temperature variables (CCT: 6500 degrees K -nw/4000 degrees K) and horizontal illuminance (Ehor: 300 lx - nw/500 lx). The experimental design was a within-nw/subject design experiment and the sample consisted of 34 students between 8 and 9 years old. CARAS-nw/R Test was administered to assess efficacy (EA), efficiency (FA) and attentional performance. In attentional efficiency (Z = 2470, p = .013) and attentional performance (Z = 2385, p = 0.16) of children, significant differences in the conditions of CCT were observed. No differences in Ehor occurred. It was found that providing efficient lighting designs in the classroom may promote its occupants cognitive performance.