Ever wonder why businesses use bright and flashy colors in their advertisements?  It is not only to attract attention.  Studies have shown that we remember what we see in color better than what we see in black and white.

In fact, according to Eric Jensen in Brain-Based Learning (1996), we remember colors first and content next. Colors affect us on both a physiological and a psychological level. Therefore,using color can be a great way to help students study more efficiently.

  • Add color to homework paperwork
  • Print notes and alternate two colors for each individual point
  • Hang colorful posters around the house to reinforce the concepts being learned

According to research, color communicates more effectively than black and white. How much more effectively?  Here’s what the research says:

  • Color visuals increase willingness to read by up to 80 percent
  • Using color can increase motivation and participation by up to 80 percent
  • Color enhances learning and improves retention by more than 75 percent
  • Color accounts for 60 percent of the acceptance or rejection of an object and is a critical factor in the success of any visual experience
Excerpted from Memorization and Test-Taking Strategies by Susan Gingras Fitzell.