Date of Award
1-1-2009
Degree Name
Master of Architecture
Department
Architecture
First Advisor
Wendler, Walter
Abstract
AN ABSTRACT OF THE THESIS OF Garrett P. Lunsford, for the Masters degree in Architecture, presented on July 10th 2009, at Southern Illinois University Carbondale. TITLE: ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS ON STUDENT PERFORMANCE MAJOR PROFESSOR: Dr. Walter Wendler With the increasing concern for sub par student performance in America, it has become more vital than ever for designers to create optimal learning environments. Student performance is significantly dependent on the quality of teaching as well as the pupil-instructor relationship. However, it is rare for even our best instructors to receive adequate performance from their students when teaching in poor environments. Research for more than 30 years has displayed explicit correlation between physical characteristics of school buildings and educational outcomes. These physical characteristics include lighting, acoustics, thermal control, indoor air quality, as well as class size. By taking each of these factors into consideration, architects can produce settings that do not hinder student performance. Better educated children today will make the world a smarter, improved, more sustainable environment tomorrow.
Access
This thesis is only available for download to the SIUC community. Current SIUC affiliates may also access this paper off campus by searching Dissertations & Theses @ Southern Illinois University Carbondale from ProQuest. Others should contact the interlibrary loan department of your local library or contact ProQuest's Dissertation Express service.