HOW IMPORTANT ARE BLINDS FOR A CLASSROOM AT SCHOOLS AND HOW CAN YOU DESIGN THEM
Posted on 30 May 2018 by Phil Coleman
DAYLIGHT IN THE CLASSROOM AND WHY YOU NEED BLINDS
Ever wonder why many of the best schools use blinds in their classroom? This article will tell you why. Blinds are used not only for decorative purposes but also for safety and learning reasons.
Daylight makes a difference in the learning process. It has wide-ranging effects on a child’s capability to learn. It is vital to pupils in terms of their physical and mental states. It has been argued that they behaviourally and academically respond well to classroom daylight. Light affects our mood. The darker a room, the less conducive it is to learning. The brighter it is, the more favourable it is to constructive lessons. One study (by the Heschong Mahone Group) found out that students who enjoyed a strong daylight in their classrooms performed better than those with weak daylight.
Teachers must be oriented to just let windows serve their function—viewpoints, instead of using them as stick boards for their post-its and other papers. However, one must also be careful of the distraction that glare or reflected light can give to the children. You can avoid this by using blinds.
But, there are perils of light, too, that we must avoid. Too much light can make the temperature rise inside the classroom. As an effect, students will have a difficult time focusing on their lesson. They will feel some level of discomfort. Glare can also become a source of diversion. The key is to balance light and learning. Thus, the need for blinds.
HOW CAN YOU DESIGN THEM?
Before even thinking of design, you must first consider that the blinds should be for frequent usage, have light and heat control, and are safe. Who does not want a sturdy set of blinds? No one. That is why you must get blinds that are strong—for frequent usage, especially if you’re thinking of long-term use; also, fire retardant ones for maximum safety.
Inside the classroom, select blinds that have light colours. Dark-coloured ones can be a disturbance during lessons. The goal is to install blinds that will protect the children from glare and excessive light but can still usher in a little light when needed. For this reason, it is best to use roller blinds for their ease of operation. To get the children involved, you can allow them to paint on the blinds so they show a beautiful design when rolled. If you’re not a fan of painting, you can use stickers or decals on your windows. You can also use colourful blinds, especially for children who are still in their playful learning stages.
Outside the classroom, you can include windows in contiguous halls. Then, you can install blinds, as well. Again, you should use blinds that are easily rollable, so that light can be diffused when needed, but also blocked as the case may be. In the corridors, you may opt for blinds that are beads-based as well. They add a different touch to the area.
At the end of the day, the welfare of the child is the primary concern. Blinds not only protect them, they also facilitate their learning process.