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How Does Color Impact Learning- What to Consider when Building Your Online Courses

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How Does Color Impact Learning- What to Consider when Building Your Online Courses

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Oh yeah - then how do you explain traffic lights, warning signs, and rainbows? Color is important, and it's time we pay attention to color in eLearning too. Not convinced? What If we told you that

Learning is a difficult field to understand, and there's so much research out there discussing these issues that it's hard to know where to begin. What's pretty obvious though is that color plays a key role in creating an environment that fosters learning.

So let's talk about color - What colors help learning? What colors might be annoying or distracting to online learners? And how can we mitigate that risk? That's what we'll be delving into here.

color, as part of the electromagnetic spectrum , is in its purest form energy, a wavelength, which has its own magnetic frequency? What if we told you that colors can affect neurological pathways in the brain? And that they can create a biochemical response? Now, facing that evidence, it's clear that color has been overlooked for far too long. Dr. Robert Gerard recognizes this and has pioneered research, which suggests that every color has a specific wavelength, and each of these affect our body and brain in a different way. Using the right color, and the correct selection and placement can seriously affect feelings, attention, and behavior when learning. It's time that we leveraged that to our advantage. Even research with Alzheimer's patients has shown that color cues improve memory and that learners recall images in color more easily than images in black and white - amazing, right?

Now listen, we're not expecting you to be the next Picasso- but a fundamental understanding of which colors work will benefit your eLearning to no end. So that's what we're going to do now. We'll be going through the colors and having a look at what they mean to you and your learners - and the biological response they can elicit. Bear in mind of course, that this isn't a definitive science. It might be that you're scared of blue because you're scared of water - there are unique elements to color choice. But what we're going for here is a broad-strokes approach that helps us appeal to the most learners with the right colors for our projects. Okay, boilerplate done, let's begin.
Read more: The Complete Guide to Color Combinations in eLearning
You probably know this already, just by taking a look at a forest or a field. Low wavelength colors promote restfulness and calm, and they improve efficiency and focus.

So that's why green is an excellent color for improving concentration. Apart from being one of the easiest colors on the eyes, it reminds us of nature. That's why TV stars stay in the 'green room'. It's a relaxing space.

Green is a good color for keeping long-term concentration and clarity, making it a good choice for an office - as opposed to red, which is seen as stimulating and exciting. Maybe it helps in the short term, but stimulation has to tail off sometimes.

Interestingly enough, there's some real scientific evidence for this. Some studies have shown that people who work in green offices have higher rates of job satisfaction, and consumers have been shown to spend more time shopping in stores that are painted green [1].

Another study, led by Dr. Kate Lee, examined 150 university students. She gave the group a boring, monotonous task that dragged their attention span to a breaking point, pressing a series of numbers over and over as they read off a computer screen. The students were told not to press keys when the number three appeared on the screen. Then break time came, and in a 40-second window half of the group viewed a green roof, while the others looked out onto a bare concrete roof. Amazingly, the research showed that students who looked at the green view made fewer errors and had overall better concentration. [2]

Dr. Lee hypothesizes that the green roof provided a 'restorative experience' which helped boost the mental resources of the students involved in the study. If true, that's a major consideration. If your learners are tired and bored of their compliance material, add in a restorative green screen, a forest scene, or something else for a bit of a break. Lee believes that just a moment of looking at a green space could provide a moment of revitalization for workers who were struggling to concentrate.

Think about the orange sun setting over the horizon. Nice, right? It's true, orange can be a welcoming and mood-lifting color for learners, which in turn promotes comfort and improves neural functioning.

Some theorists argue that an environment rich in the color orange increases the oxygen supply to the brain, stimulating mental activity while simultaneously loosening peoples' inhibitions. An increased oxygen supply also leads to feeling invigorated and getting ready to 'get things done.' Some have even suggested that test centers be painted orange to stimulate exam-takers. The secrets of orange were known in ancient China too - in Feng Shui, orange is seen as a "yang" color which stimulates focus and promotes organization [3]. Of course, we need to remember that

But this comes at a cost - avoid bolder orange colors if your learners are young and naturally energetic. This isn't a good color for those prone to overstimulation as well, for instance if your group of learners have attention deficit hyperactive disorder or another health concern which leads to easy overstimulation.

That's not it on the science for orange, though - many studies have found that when colors are used to emphasize a feature or piece of content on the screen, learners' attention levels increase. Of course, the best colors for this are warm colors, like orange. So we can say that when you're looking to highlight certain facts or important information, orange can be a better choice than the traditional red. But, because of its energy and brightness, orange can be an overwhelming choice. Orange is, in other words, best in small doses.

brightness and saturation also come into it, and too bright a color will probably give you a headache! Looking to the experts, color psychologist Angela Wright states that bright orange hues stimulate while low saturation is more soothing. So for boosting energy, go bold, and for relaxing, go mellow. Makes sense, huh? So to close out orange as a color, in eLearning courses it can be used to highlight key facts and figures, communicate energy, life, and activity. Orange is a vibrant color that demands attention, giving it an edge as a choice for highlighting. But again, use with caution!
Read more: Color Psychology: Use Warm Hues to Energize Your eLearning
Some research suggests that people with highly intellectual work, which requires a high cognitive load, for instance, programmers or academics, are Blue is best used for learning situations which are challenging. Blue paper, blue ink, or blue highlighting can be used to help improve reading comprehension too. Blue in general it seems is a relaxing and calming color, but more productive in a blue environment. That said, though; we can't keep life too monochromatic - it should be balanced with warmer colors. These can be found by using the opposite side of the color wheel.

lighter shades will seem more 'friendly' while darker ones seem a little more somber.

Back to the experts, many color psychologists recommend using blue colors, but adding a bit of extra kick with orange, especially for highlighting information (like we mentioned earlier!).

So in summary, blue is great for promoting high levels of thought, but too much can create a sense of detachment and coldness.
Read more: Color Psychology: Use Cool Colors to Set Just the Right Mood for Learning
Hopefully, by now you're having a dramatic rethink of the color of your courses, your house, and maybe even your car. That's great - that's what we want. Take note of the lessons above and let us know how you've implemented them in your eLearning courses. Remember, color is fundamental to the human experience. It's a huge part of our lives and our perceptions, and we should leverage that in our eLearning courses.
REFERENCES:
1.Effect of Different Colors on Human Mind and Body http://humannhealth.com/effect-of-different-colors-on-human-mind-and-body/243/8/

2. Seeing green boosts your concentration, research shows. May 25, 2015. http://www.smh.com.au/technology/sci-tech/seeing-green-boosts-your-concentration-research-shows-20150525-gh8udh.html

3. Best Color For Concentration And Productivity Is Orange http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/09/18/best-color-concentration_n_3949427.html

4. Brain-Based Learning by Eric Jensen, 2000 (p.54-70)

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How Do Colors Influence Learning? - Shift E-learning

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Color plays a key role in creating an effective eLearning. Learn the impact of colors and how to use them strategically to foster learning. Read Now!

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From Simply Psychology

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Perhaps Freud's single most enduring and important idea was that the human psyche (personality) has more than one aspect. Freud's personality theory (1923) saw the psyche structured into three parts (i.e., tripartite), the id, ego and superego, all developing at different stages in our lives.

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Perhaps Freud's single most enduring and important idea was that the human psyche (personality) has more than one aspect. Freud's personality theory (1923) saw the psyche structured into three parts (i.e., tripartite), the id, ego and superego, all developing at different stages in our lives.

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The American Psychological Association defines "psychology " as the study of mind and behavior.

Using this definition, studying psychology is often associated with the experience inside the four walls of a therapist's office and the common image of someone sitting on a couch. Or maybe you connect it to the research and statistics found inside academic textbooks. Although each of those examples are certainly part of it, the truth is that psychology is all around us.

From the decisions we make each moment of the day, to the people we interact with, understanding human behavior is at the heart of psychology. Look around your world and you'll find plenty of everyday examples of psychology in action. Read on to discover how psychology plays a major role in five areas of everyday life.

Advertising

Have you ever noticed that certain ads appeal to you-or even totally convince you to buy something? It was probably because that ad used an advertising tactic based on psychological principles.

Three advertising tactics that take advantage of social psychology concepts include:

1. The scarcity principle

2. Consensus

3. The mere-exposure effect

The scarcity principle means that people want what they can't have, or what they think they can have but others cannot. Advertisers simulate scarcity through emphasizing things like limited time offers, last chance products, and rare items. This makes products and services seem more valuable and desirable.

Just think about the last time you heard that something you wanted was about to go out of stock permanently, how did you feel? Were you more likely to consider buying it?

Advertisers use consensus to show that an item is popular and well-reviewed. If an ad highlights positive testimonials and reviews, or how many happy customers they have, they want to show you the positive consensus about their service or product. This makes you trust the advertiser and service or product more.

Many online marketers include reviews of products in their stores to help consumers make better choices; however, there have also been controversies about whether advertisers are faking their reviews and/or censoring the number of bad reviews for the same reasons.

The mere-exposure effect means that when individuals are exposed to a stimulus more often, they're more likely to prefer that stimulus. Businesses want to get their advertisements in front of your eyes as often as possible, so you build familiarity with their products and maybe even purchase them.

Many of us can sing along with popular commercial jingles almost as well as songs on the radio. Or we get some well-done taglines in our heads like "Can you hear me now?", "A Diamond is Forever", "The Breakfast of Champions", "Just Do It", or "Got Milk?", among many others. These marketing hits help with the exposure effect.

Health

Psychology also impacts how we think and act about our diet and exercise.

For example, a study in Psychological Science demonstrates that people under stress tend to eat high-calorie foods. Individuals who think in a "live for today" mindset ate 40 percent more calories than the control group.

This showcases how much our mental state can affect healthy eating habits. And if eating habits are impacted by our mental state then other lifestyle habits and choices can be as well, like exercise.

Another study illustrates how "gamifying" exercise improved performance. Showing accelerating scores on a screen encouraged individuals to exert more energy and work harder. Even though the scores were meaningless, they still had a clear psychological and physiological impact on the study's participants.

Relationships

Psychology and understanding human behavior also play a role in how we develop our closest relationships. According to researchers, positive relationships have an important impact on your mental health and physical health in the same way that healthy eating and not smoking can.

In fact, studies have shown that children who grow up in a stable home with positive familial relationships are happier as they age in comparison to other children.

The hormone oxytocin, which is produced in the hypothalamus, is key to helping us build and maintain strong social bonds. In addition to helping parents and children form these bonds, oxytocin also has an effect on the romantic relationships we form in life.

According to researchers at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, oxytocin's effect on the brain gives partners "rose-colored glasses" and a more positive outlook on the relationship's big picture.

If you are interested in learning more about how psychology can impact relationships, a degree with a specialization in the field of marriage and family therapy can provide you even greater insight.

Work

One of the most stressful workplace situations is navigating how to ask for a raise. To build your confidence and increase the chance of receiving what you ask for, it's important to be prepared. Some psychological principles, like knowledge of recency bias, can help with this.

Recency bias is when people recall things that happened more recently over things that happened a long time ago. Remember this when approaching your manager. Make a list of your successes, positive feedback, and important contributions over a long period and clearly outline them specifically. This will help to combat any potential recency bias and remind your manager that you deserve more.

Psychological concepts can also help you become a better manager. Companies like Google and Aetna have emphasized the importance of mindfulness in management. Victor Lipman, author of The Type B Manager, discusses how being more self-aware, empathetic, and patient helps you become a more effective and mindful manager.

If you're interested in the interplay of psychology and employee engagement, retention, and productivity, you may consider a psychology degree with a minor in business.

Politics

Have you ever considered how psychology impacts the political world and your political views?

Childhood can actually foreshadow what one's political leanings might be as an adult. A study from the United Kingdom found that a child's early personality traits can be linked to their political views in adulthood. The study found links between traits like anxiety and hyperactivity and being more politically dissatisfied as an adult.

Psychological concepts can also be used to increase voter turnout. Studies suggest that candidates who demonstrate authentic gratitude toward their potential voters before an election increase the likelihood of their voters turning out. This appeals to our desire, as voters, to feel important and needed, and can work in favor of civic engagement.

Want to learn more?

Using a psychological lens, you can continue to find more and more applications of psychology in action in our everyday world.

If you're fascinated by psychology's impact on daily actions, a psychology degree could be the right choice for you. Fill out the form below to request more information about the different programs we offer, read this blog to learn more about the different types of psychology degrees, or visit our general psychology programs page to learn more about our different minors, concentrations, and specializations.

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5 Everyday Examples of Psychology in Action | The Chicago School

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The American Psychological Association defines "psychology " as the study of mind and behavior. Using this definition, studying psychology is often associated with the experience inside the four walls of a therapist's office and the common image of someone sitting on a couch. Or maybe you connect it to the research and statistics found inside academic textbooks.

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Psychology classes are sometimes a struggle for students, especially for those with little or no background in the subject. For this reason, it is extra important to establish good study habits.

Because psychology is such a diverse field, students may occasionally feel overwhelmed by the sheer amount of information on the subject. Students of psychology soon realize that the subject covers a huge range of material. An introductory course alone encompasses discussions of psychology's philosophical background, social statistics, biological influences, experimental methods, and much more.

The diverse topics students might study include social behavior, personality, research methods, therapeutic techniques, and much more. Because psychology consists of such a broad range of topics, it is important to develop ways of studying and mastering new theories and concepts.

Following a few simple study tips can help psychology students effectively learn new concepts and theories. With good study habits, students can achieve academic success in psychology. The best part? Creating good study habits won't just help you in your psych classes. These same skills and routines will pay off in a big way in all of your college courses.

The Two Hour Rule: The general rule is that for every hour of time you spend in class, you should spend two hours of your own time studying the material.

Plan Your Study Time: The amount of time you need may vary, but you should set aside time each week for reviewing study materials. At the beginning of week, consider the material you need to cover and estimate how long you will need to complete your assignments, readings, and reviews.

Schedule Study Time: Ideally, you should schedule a specific block of time to devote to each subject. Even when you are busy, set aside short periods of time each day to concentrate on your class work.

Think Critically About the Material: Effective studying involves more than just reading the assigned text and skimming through your notes. You need to analyze and understand the material.

Take Notes: Read through your materials slowly and write down key points. Write down any questions you have about the materials that you can later discuss with your classmates or course instructor.

Test Your Understanding: Quiz yourself on the material you have just read. If you struggle with certain questions, make not of these areas for additional study.

Summarize the Main Points: Once you have studied the material, see if you can answer these questions: Can you identify the main concepts covered by the material? Can you think of your own examples of each theory, problem or concept?

Take Effective Class Notes: Your psychology class notes should be a summary of what you learned in class, not a transcription of everything your instructor or classmates discussed. Practice taking brief, effective notes that summarize the key points of what was said.

Go to Class Prepared: Read the assigned chapters before class. If you approach each class discussion with a good understanding of the material, you will be better able to participate in class discussions.

Individual Study: Your initial study sessions should take place alone. By doing this, you are better able to concentrate on the material.

Group Study: Once you have a good grasp on the material, utilize review sessions with classmates or study groups. These sessions are a good way to refresh your knowledge of the material before a quiz or exam.

However, even students with good study habits sometimes find themselves needing to cram the night before a big exam.

While cramming for an exam is definitely not the best way to study (and you certainly shouldn't make a habit of it), there are things you can do to help ensure that your last-minute study session is more effective.

Tara Kuther, Ph.D., a Graduate School Expert, has a handy reference guide with tips for how to cram for an exam. She suggests prioritizing the topics you are going to study, reviewing class notes and required readings, and answering questions about the material in your own words.

Other tips that might come in useful:

Create a quick outline of the topics that will most likely be on the exam. Put a star next to the subjects that are giving you the most trouble, and then study these topics first. Next, move on to the material that you are more familiar with for a quick refresher.

Don't take on too much. Trying to learn an entire semester's worth of material in one night is an impossible task. Instead of trying to cover every single thing, focus on the material that is most likely to appear on the exam. A quick rule of thumb - if your instructor talked about it in class, it is very likely that it will show up on the test. Use your class notes as a guide for what you should focus on in your cram study session.

Get some sleep. It might be tempting to stay up all night to try to learn as much of the material as you possibly can, but this strategy can backfire. In all likelihood, you will just end up so exhausted and burned out that you won't be able to perform your best on the exam. Instead, study what you can during your cram session, but still try to get some uninterrupted sleep the night before your exam. If you really need more study time, wake up early the next morning and go through your review materials one more time.

At the start of every new class, sit down and come up with a study plan that will lead to success in the course. A little planning now can save you from a lot of last-minute stress.

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Psychology classes are sometimes a struggle for students, especially for those with little or no background in the subject. For this reason, it is extra important to establish good study habits. Because psychology is such a diverse field, students may occasionally feel overwhelmed by the sheer amount of information on the subject.

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How we thought about ourselves and human development prior to the late 1800s

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Top 4 Tips To Spot Bad Science Reporting

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Learn from Dr. Ali Mattu in the Psych Show

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Get to know the APA as a resource and a writing format

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The American Psychological Association (APA) is a scientific and professional organization that represents psychologists in the United States. APA educates the public about psychology, behavioral science and mental health; promotes psychological science and practice; fosters the education and training of psychological scientists, practitioners and educators; advocates for psychological knowledge and practice to inform public policy; and champions the application of psychology to promote human rights, health, well-being and dignity.

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Crash Course Psychology Brief Lectures on YouTube

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Crash Course Psychology Brief Lectures on YouTube

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In 40 episodes, Hank Green will teach you psychology! This course is based on the 2013 AP Psychology curriculum.

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Why do so many degrees require study in psychology?

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Why do so many degrees require study in psychology?

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10 Things We Can All Learn From Psychology

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Get details on 10 great reasons why we all have something to learn from the study of psychology.

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But, when you need to know more about your therapist and their style, start here.

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Psychology Today: Health, Help, Happiness + Find a Therapist

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View the latest from the world of psychology: from behavioral research to practical guidance on relationships, mental health and addiction. Find help from our directory of therapists, psychologists and counselors.