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In this blog post, we explore the significant role colour plays in enhancing student learning outcomes. By incorporating colour into learning resources, educators can improve focus, memory retention, emotional engagement, and readability. Research supports the strategic use of colours such as blue and green for focus, and red and yellow for motivation. Additionally, colour-coding and visually appealing materials aid memory retention and comprehension. Teachers can create effective learning environments by applying the psychological impact of colour to their classrooms, ultimately catering to the diverse needs of students and fostering academic success.
1. Enhancing Focus and Memory Retention
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Colourful learning resources can aid students in maintaining focus and improving memory retention. Research has shown that certain colours, such as blue and green, are associated with calmness and focus, which are essential for effective learning (Mehta & Zhu, 2009, Blue or Red? Exploring the Effect of Color on Cognitive Task Performances).
Mehta & Zhu conducted six experiments to investigate the effects of red and blue on cognitive task performance and found the following.
- Exposure to red before a detail-oriented task led to better performance in comparison to exposure to blue or a control condition (neutral grey).
- Exposure to blue before a creative task led to better performance compared to exposure to red or a control condition (neutral grey).
- For detail-oriented tasks that require attention and precision, such as proofreading or maths problems, red accents or backgrounds can be used.
- For creative tasks that encourage brainstorming, problem-solving, or open-ended discussions, blue accents or backgrounds can be incorporated.
Additionally, colour-coding information has been found to improve memory retention by helping students create associations between specific colours and types of information (Dzulkifli & Mustafar, 2013). For example, using consistent colours for important terms or key concepts can make them more memorable and easier to recall during the comprehension process. This strategy can be particularly helpful for visual learners, who tend to process and remember information better when it is presented in a visually appealing and organised manner.
2: Facilitating Emotional Engagement and Motivation
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Colours can evoke different emotional responses, which can, in turn, influence students' motivation and engagement with learning materials. According to the Mehrabian-Russell Model (1974), warm colours like red and yellow stimulate arousal, while cool colours like blue and green promote a sense of calm and focus.
By strategically using colours that evoke positive emotions or facilitate focus, schools can create an environment that encourages students to engage more actively with the learning material. A good general rule to follow is that outside of classrooms, you will want to create a calming environment as students move around the school and cool colours such as blue and green are best.
When it comes to classroom decoration, less might actually be more. A study conducted by Fisher, Godwin, and Seltman (2014) found that moderately decorated classrooms with colour accents can keep students engaged without overstimulation, which is crucial for optimising student learning. Excessively decorated classrooms could negatively impact students' focus and learning due to overstimulation. Striking the right balance between visual complexity and simplicity in learning resources can help maintain students' motivation and interest in the subject matter. When it comes to learning, every little advantage helps!
3: Improving Readability and Visual Organisation
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Perhaps the most well known use of colour in the learning environment is in how colour can be used to enhance the readability and visual organisation of learning materials, making it easier for students to comprehend and retain information. For example, using different colours for headings, subheadings, and main text can improve the overall structure and readability of documents (Hall & Hanna, 2004). This visual organisation helps students quickly identify and focus on the most important aspects of the content, leading to better comprehension.
The same research found that using high contrast colours for text and background can minimise visual strain and improve readability. Choosing colour combinations that provide optimal contrast, such as black text on a white background or dark blue text on a light yellow background, can make it easier for students to read and process information. Improved readability directly supports better comprehension and learning outcomes.
Incorporating colour into learning resources is an effective strategy to boost student learning by enhancing focus, memory retention, emotional engagement, and readability. By understanding the psychological impact of colour and using it strategically, educators can create visually appealing, engaging, and effective learning environments that cater to the diverse needs of students.
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References:
- Mehta, R., & Zhu, R. (2009). Blue or Red? Exploring the Effect of Color on Cognitive Task Performances
- Dzulkifli, M. A., & Mustafar, M. F. (2013). The Influence of Colour on Memory Performance: A Review. The Malaysian Journal of Medical Sciences
- Fisher, A. V., Godwin, K. E., & Seltman, H. (2014). Visual Environment, Attention Allocation, and Learning in Young Children: When Too Much of a Good Thing May Be Bad. Psychological Science
- Hall, R. H., & Hanna, P. (2004). The impact of web page text-background colour combinations on readability, retention, aesthetics and behavioural intention. Behaviour & Information Technology
- Mehrabian, A., & Russell, J. A. (1974). An approach to environmental psychology. Cambridge
