Research

Indoor environment, university student satisfaction, and learning performance: Evidence from a randomized field experiment (JOB MARKET PAPER)

Authors: Stefan Flagner, Piet Eichholtz, Nils Kok, Rick Kramer, Steffen Künn, Wouter van Marken Lichtenbelt, Guy Plasqui, and Xudong Sun

Abstract:

This study examines the effect of the indoor environment on satisfaction and performance of university students. We conducted a single-blind, randomized treatment-control experiment in two buildings over 14 weeks. The treatment building had lower concentrations of air pollutants, continuously monitored with a sensor network. Students were more satisfied with the indoor environment of the treatment building and believed that it positively affected their performance. However, we did not find statistically significant differences in course grades between the student cohorts exposed to the two different buildings, contradicting students' belief of a positive effect of the indoor environment on their learning performance. 

Link to current working paper version: Chapter 3 of PhD dissertation (DOI)

Indoor air quality, academic achievement, and sickness absence in primary school children

Authors: Stefan Flagner, Nicolas Duran, Piet Eichholtz, Nils Kok, and Guy Plasqui

Abstract:

Academic achievement in primary school sets the foundation for children's success later on and in the labour market. A broad body of evidence suggests numerous intervention strategies to improve learning performance. However, the physical classroom environment, in particular air quality, is often disregarded, despite easy and cost-effective ways to improve indoor air quality through better ventilation. Therefore, this study examines how indoor air quality in classrooms affect exam grades of primary school children, and how adverse health effects due to poor air quality can explain this relationship. We continuously measured indoor air quality in 60 classrooms in 7 primary schools in the South of the Netherlands for one year, relating it to 3,024 exam records from two testing waves, and daily sickness absence records from 649 children. Our analysis shows that indoor air quality significantly impacts achieved exam grades. This effect is independent of individual health, quantified through sickness absence of children. Our findings emphasize the importance to invest into the physical classroom environment in primary schools as a strategy to improve learning outcomes of children.

Link to current working paper version: Chapter 2 of PhD dissertation (DOI)