Use of colors
I have always used different colored dry erase markers to help organize information as I'm putting it on the board. That's about the only resource we have for colors, but I do find that using colors helps students understand how some concepts are linked together.
I use different colored markers to differentiate information, when a new thought or fact is presented, I change the color I am using. Also, getting the students to use different colors in their notes and on their study index cards really helps to keep them interested and makes it easier for them to remember the facts.
Elinore,
it really does help in these areas & its inexpensive to implement.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
I, too will use different color markers on the board-it keeps things organized as well as highlights different subject matter-especially when some items are more important than others.
Paul,
it definitely applies & I think anytime we can add elements like this it's only helpful to the students to engage them with the material & concepts.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
I hope this applies to the use of colors in the classroom, but I like to use posters to help set a mood in my classroom, I teach a construction blueprint reading class and I like the poster of the men working on a high rise building in what I assume is Ney York sitting on a I-beam nonchalantly having lunch in the sky. This kind of picture is a conversation starter and has pretence to my subject matter may be this has more to setting a mood, more than color but I wanted to put it in somewhere.
In Anatomy, we have found that students who are required to complete their Anatomy of the Human Body Coloring books, generally, performed better in tests and retained more knowledge after the class.
This course will certainly cause me to think more about the colors used and highlighting! It was interesting to learn that bright color paper could create negativity or anxiety about doing homework assignments! I was of the opinion that a bright color would stand out among note pages--but in a positive way. Good to know there is a better way to address importance.
connie,
this is a great example of how we can use colors in a variety of ways, even when we are limited.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
i agree the ability to use colors is limited, however I use color on the board when teaching. I find that when grading red usually signifies bad so I like to use another color such as green to improve thought process
i love using different colors! i think it brings excitement to the lesson and attention to reading off the dry erase board
Henry,
and to use the different colors for the different concpets can really help the students retain the information.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
I use lots of bright colors. Seems to help items stand out better.
Bob,
yes, the use of colors to set items apart or highlight is very helpful.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
color helps to focus students on some special moment of instructor's explanation
Using different colors helps to differntiate different items as well as something for students to remember later
I never thought of using alot of colors for the dry erase boards, I guess because im a black and white learning (traditional) I didnt even consider to use colors to keep the students interested. I will buy them and use them for color coding in what is very important to FYI, to let the students know what should be note taken and what is just lecture.
