The impact of air quality of classrooms on learning

Students spend a large part of their lives in classrooms, namely in indoor spaces during their education process. In a negative indoor space where the level of carbon dioxide, dust particles, and biological pollutants increases and which is not well ventilated, students spend a long period of time together with their teachers. Considering the negative effects of polluted air conditions on human health, such as distraction and drowsiness, its negative effects on learning cannot be ignored. Although the amount of carbon dioxide in the classrooms during the summer and winter months of education continues to be below the limit value of 1000 ppm before the lesson, this limit is easily exceeded within the first 10 minutes. This situation creates negative effects on learning and success level of the students' and makes it essential for education managers to take measures on this issue. In the study, five-minute measurements were made by a carbon dioxide measurement device in the classrooms where different sizes and number of students for 8 months, and the averages of the five-minute values of each lesson were calculated. These data were determined quantitatively, and students were observed when the carbon dioxide was above 1000 ppm, which is accepted to be the limit value. Using the semi-structured interview form developed in accordance with the "indoor air quality and study area symptoms form" of NIOSH, 25 participants' opinions were obtained. These data were modelled for interpretation by means of NVivo12 qualitative data analysis program. In accordance with these data, it was determined that many complaints such as distraction, drowsiness, higher breathing rate, and cough increased in the processes when the amount of carbon dioxide increased above the level of 1000 ppm, which is accepted to be the limit value. In order to improve air quality, clean air circulation should be provided in school buildings and classrooms. There will be increases in student and teacher performances in classrooms with good air quality. Keywords: Indoor air quality, carbon dioxide, learning