Here in the northeast U.S. we are enjoying the beautiful colors of the changing leaves. Thousands of people make a special pilgrimage for ‘leaf peeping’ in Vermont, Maine and New Hampshire.  As I have been enjoying the changing season and the vitality of color in our landscape, it has prompted me to reflect on the effects of color and learning…and most notably in the use of color in lesson plan design.

When you bring in visual images and colored digital text into the classroom, I believe it has a profound effect on learning and this effect is still being researched and documented.

Questions to consider:  What color shall I use in a classroom environment? How do we prepare a classroom environment for learning? What colors for the walls?  What colors are used in posters and graphics? What colors are optimal for lesson plan design on your interactive white board.

When considering color, consider commercial logos for color combinations that work…the top name brands offer logos and color schemes that catch the eye.  Also consider home décor or restaurant choices that seem to invite an atmosphere for learning.

Browse an interesting and comprehensive multidisciplinary discussion about color on the Color Matters website where Jill Morton writes “Color plays a vitally important role in the world in which we live. Color can sway thinking, change actions, and cause reactions. It can irritate or soothe your eyes, raise your blood pressure or suppress your appetite.”  In the pages of this site, you can explore the social, cultural and brain stimulating effects of color as well as some interesting comments on color theory.

Whether you are a teacher who has resorted to using repetitive color schemes…or a teacher who is always experimenting with the use of color, please read on.  You may want a rationale for spicing up your concept of using a unique color palette. 

Did you know that there are some students with Dyslexia, headaches and other visual impairments that can be corrected with the use of color? Have you heard that some students who could not read black words on a white page can read printed words using colored overlays? You may want to observe how students react to color in your classroom. It may have a more profound effect than you realize.  If colored overlays can help with reading…what can happen if we change the background color on a lesson page in the ActivClassroom?

The research and documentation of the Irlen Institute can be a good place to begin. Using a diagnostic test and nine colored overlays, adults and children are matched to the color scheme for optimal learning. The use of colored eyeglasses also can have an effect on people who suffer from Irlen syndrome headaches.

I propose that color has an effect on many more learners than indicated by the Irlen research. The widespread gain in academic achievement using the ActivClassroom could be analyzed with color use in mind.  I posted this simple assessment lesson to get teachers started as they poll their students about their preferred colors. Using the ActivClassroom the teachers can customize their color palette to match the Irlen diagnostic colors. If course the quality of the color is dependent on the quality of the classroom projector.  Use the fill tool to change background colors readily and consider the effects of filling text with color in order to optimize learning.

Please consider researching this concept and share your stories of success here or in the Promethean Planet Forums!