February 1998 — Features
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Does the Right Software a Great Designer Make?
Divide the space in an interesting way. Students are easily turned off by visuals that consistently present information in the same way. Keeping in mind the idea of quadrants, vary from visual to visual the location of the text with the graphic. Just make certain that the graphic leads the eye to the text.
Design Hints
There are several design hints that will enable teachers to create effective visuals. These techniques, commonly called attention-getting devices, are effective in helping students maintain a reasonable level of attention and interest in the material. They include:
- Using a headline;
- Presenting one idea;
- Beginning with a large first letter;
- Checking carefully for errors; and
- Using a framing device.
Using a headline will draw the student's attention to the topic of that visual. A headline mentally prepares the student for what follows and serves to reinforce the main idea. Presenting only one idea per visual also is critical. Following this principle helps to focus the reader and to avoid any distraction. Beginning with a large first letter attracts attention and helps students concentrate on the material. Errors detract from the visual's effectiveness and lessen the presenter's credibility; checking carefully for errors is essential. Using a framing device to distinguish a line of text or a graphic is effective. This technique is an excellent method for emphasizing text; it provides a visual display of information.
Color
Color is effective for attracting and focusing attention. However, the more color is used, the less effective it will be, because attention is not always drawn to what is novel. The attention-getting effect of color can and should be used to focus on important information. Color should function as a redundant cue, not as an essential part of instruction.[3] Some colors, especially yellow and green, are easier to perceive than others. Red and blue are the most difficult colors to perceive. Also be aware that colorblind students cannot perceive either green or red.
The use of color should be consistent with common usages in our society. Green signifies growth and movement; it is appropriately used when discussing fiscal growth. Blue conveys calm. It is extremely useful when students are hostile to the information being presented or when their attention span is limited. Red, although snappy and peppy, can bleed, especially when used with a green background. If the color d'es bleed, students will have difficulty reading the text and find themselves concentrating on the variations in the color rather than on the speaker's message. Yellow serves to highlight; it is best used when the teacher wants students to pay particular attention to a point.
Text
The appearance of text has a message of its own. Fleming and Levie wrote that "text, like pictures, diagrams, or charts, communicates a great deal of information by its appearance on the page or screen that is independent from the information conveyed in its words."[4] The look of text impacts on learning as much as the message.[5]
