Skip to main content
Add as a preferred source on Google

Tunable Lights for A Better Learning Environment

  • 02/01/17

Fifth graders in Ms. Jones’ science and math classes at Dale B. Davis Elementary School in Carrollton, Texas are unusually curious about measuring color temperatures using the Kelvin scale, and the number of lumens emitted from the bulbs of their classroom lighting system. Since when do fifth graders study such science? Generally, they don’t, but this classroom has a new BLT Series Tunable White Luminaire system manufactured by Lithonia Lighting from Acuity Brands.

Today’s schools are adding smartboards, tablets for student use, and flexible furniture, but many classrooms across the country still have outdated fluorescent lighting with no dimming capability. The old on/off toggle, sometimes combined with shaded window, is a poor tool for helping to manage the moods, alertness and readiness for learning.

Outdated lighting systems are also maintenance intense and energy inefficient. The school district’s current fluorescent lights deliver less consistent illumination and require frequent maintenance according to Victor Melton, Energy Manager for the school district.

Catherine Hollenshead, engineer with Estes, McClure & Associates, brought the Tunable White lighting system with LED and flexible controls to Davis Elementary as part of a research partnership with Acuity Brands. Tunable White creates a more ideal classroom learning environment. It allows the light color temperature to be adjusted to optimal light levels for specific classroom activities.

One system with simple controls allows the teacher to create scenes by controlling the intensity of lights as well as dimming in selected zones. For example, the teacher can dim the lights at the front of the room when the class is utilizing a whiteboard or A/V screen.

Jenna Jones, fifth grade math and science teacher at Davis Elementary, confirms, “It’s not just the grades. It’s how they feel. They feel more in control. If they feel in control, they will focus more and get it done. That’s when they’re going to be really successful.”

Ms. Jones says she can change the lighting scene in her room at the touch of a button, which helps the students focus on the task at hand. She now adjusts the lighting four to six times each day.

www.acuitybrands.com

This article originally appeared in the issue of .

Featured

  • UNH Marks Construction Milestone on Oceanic Exploration Facility

    The University of New Hampshire in Durham, N.H., recently celebrated a major construction milestone with a beam-signing ceremony for the new Center of Excellence for Operational Ocean and Great Lakes Mapping, according to a news release. The facility’s ultimate goal is to support research, training and technical assistance in ocean mapping.

  • Myrtle Grove Elementary

    Phased Construction Keeps Students on Campus During Rebuild

    When Escambia County School District needed to replace most of Myrtle Grove Elementary School in Pensacola, Fla., it had three distinct challenges: honor the school's legacy in the community, bring state-of-the-art learning environments to the county, and be seamlessly built on the same site as the active school campus.

  • Campus Safety Requires Using Every Resource Available

    Across the U.S., school and campus leaders are facing a security landscape that has changed dramatically over the past decade. Incidents on school property have increased in recent years, with several consecutive years setting record totals. According to analysis of data by CNN, dozens of shootings now occur on school grounds annually across K-12 and higher education environments.

  • ZeroEyes, Academic Innovators Partner to Provide Safety Solutions

    ZeroEyes, which produces a multi-analytics weapons detection and threat intelligence platform, recently announced a partnership with Academic Innovators, according to a news release.