College Classroom Environment

Abstract

Effects of classroom physical environment were studied by adding bright wall paint, posters, kites, rugs, softer lighting, cushions, and plants to a college classroom while an identical control classroom was left barren and sterile. Two Introductory Psychology classes (students and instructors) were exposed to both experimental and control classrooms for one-half quarter (five weeks). Dependent variables were: amount of learning as measured by scores on academic tests taken in each room, student evaluation of teacher performance, student-teacher interaction, student attitude toward classroom environments, and amount of vandalism in each room. It was found that students had significantly higher percentage correct on the tests (F = 5.11, df = 1.90, p <.0005), and teachers were rated significantly more positively in the experimental room. Differences in student-teacher interaction were not significantly different between the class-rooms. Student attitudes toward the experimental room were significantly more positive than toward the control room, and no vandalism occurred in either room.