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Color research and its application to the design of instructional materials

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Abstract

This paper is divided into three major sections: Color as Seen—Physiological; Color as Seen—Psychological; and Color and Learning. The first section deals with color adaptations and the effects of color on acuity and relates these to the design of instructional materials. The second section covers color meanings and preferences, as well as color harmony and the relationships of these factors to the design of instructional materials. The third section provides an overview of research on color and learning. It includes the effects of color on attention, search tasks, other objective and non-objective measures of learning, and the use of color for cathode ray tube (CRT) displays. Although the measurable effects of color may be slight, colored materials are preferred and they are used almost universally. Therefore, designers of instructional materials need to use color wisely by paying attention to the physiological and psychological effects of color and the effect of color on learning.

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  1. Emeritus of Indiana University, USA

    Dennis Pett (Professor)

  2. the Department of Art at the University of Southern Maine at Gorham, USA

    Trudy Wilson

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Pett, D., Wilson, T. Color research and its application to the design of instructional materials. ETR&D 44, 19–35 (1996). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02300423

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