New Evidence on the Influence of Coloured Lighting on Students’ Cognitive Processes

Abstract

Although there is a large amount of scientific literature on the impact of colour on learning, there is considerably less research on the impact of coloured lighting on learning. Numerous studies have explored this traditional approach, but their results are inconsistent and lack systematic rigour. However, the logical technological evolution towards coloured lighting remains a nascent field, with most research focusing on colour temperature (CCT) rather than coloured lighting per se. Studies such as this one highlight the benefits of coloured LED lighting on students’ cognitive processes, as it is a technology which can overcome the limitations of traditional colour applications by introducing the concept of “dynamic colour” as a key component of smart classrooms that can be integrated into artificial intelligence (AI)-based decision making. This study, conducted in a primary school classroom, employed a quasi-experimental design with a pre-test and a control group, and had a duration of three months. The effect of coloured lighting on students’ cognitive processes, such as attention, impulsivity control and figurative creativity, divided into four dimensions, was investigated. Descriptive, variance-based and comparative analyses of the overall results reveal that coloured light significantly influences cognitive processes, and some results are even generalisable across the variables analysed.