The Role of the Physical Environment in Education

The article focuses on how the physical environment in school buildings affects students’ academic and behavioral outcomes. It builds on the bioecological model, which identifies schools as one of the microsystems that are critical partners in students’ learning and overall development. Students engage in important interactions with other people and with the physical environment in school buildings. The research presented addresses the role of general building conditions and design, as well as specific attributes (noise, density, lighting, and the ambient environment) in influencing student academic and behavioral outcomes. Additionally, the discussion includes gaps in the research and methodological issues, along with recommendations for future work in this field.