Does colour really matter for learning?
Research shows that while background colours don’t impact comprehension, they influence engagement, satisfaction, and preference in digital learning environments.
I often spent hours designing PowerPoint slides, carefully choosing colours to make lessons engaging for students. Yet, I wondered if those decisions truly made a difference.
This research, Effect of background colours in digital material on comprehension (Gong et al., 2024), examines how the background colours in digital educational materials influence comprehension, response times, and user preference.
For me, this confirms the importance of designing with intention — choosing colours that calm, engage, or even support neurodiversity.
Despite no direct effect on comprehension, native and non-native English speakers showed different preferences, with native speakers favouring blue and purple, and non-native speakers preferring yellow and blue.
While background colours did not affect comprehension or response times, the study highlights the importance of (neuro)aesthetic elements in digital learning environments to enhance engagement and user satisfaction.
This has some implications for the design of digital educational resources in our classrooms, especially Powerpoint heavy slide decks!
Credit: Gong et al., 2024
Reflection questions for teachers
- How might background colour preferences vary among students in your class?
- Are your digital resources meeting the needs of your neurodiverse students?
- What design adjustments could make your materials more engaging?
- How often do you consider accessibility in your design choices?
- Could cultural differences influence how students perceive colour in learning?
- Do your resources support EAL learners effectively?
- How would a student survey help refine your digital materials?
- How could colour choices align with students’ needs?
- How would colour decisions in your Powerpoint slideshows influence outcomes?
- What other elements in your resources could enhance engagement?
The research supports considering aesthetic preferences for better engagement. Teachers who consider designing digital learning resources should incorporate calming colours like blue, ensure strong text-background and contrast; seek feedback from your students to learn what works!
The research concludes:
“While colour does not affect comprehension directly, it does influence learner satisfaction and engagement. This underscores the importance of considering aesthetic elements like colour in the design of digital educational materials.”
Download the full paper to explore more context.