Color, graphics, and animation in a computer-assisted learning tutorial lesson

Purpose. The effectiveness of the computer in learning has been generally acknowledged. However, it has not been determined which characteristics of computer-assisted learning (CAL) are most effective in students' learning. The purpose of this study was to determine the relative effectiveness of color, graphics, and animation in a CAL tutorial lesson. Methods and procedures. The 119 subjects were randomly assigned to one of the six groups which resulted from a 2 x 3 (Color x Group (Text, Graphics, and Animation)) design. Each subject participated in a single 20-minute CAL session. After the learning session, each subject completed a demographic questionnaire and a pencil-and-paper performance test which served as one of the dependent measures in this study. The analysis of covariance procedure was used to determine the relative effectiveness of color, still graphics and animated graphics. The covariate was the performance pretest. Results. On the performance test, which was based on the mathematical rule for average speed, the subjects who reviewed the animated graphics version of the CAL scored higher than any other group. The subjects who reviewed the still graphics version of the CAL scored higher than the subjects who reviewed the CAL without any graphics and animation. The subjects who reviewed the color version of the CAL did not score higher than the subjects who reviewed the black and white version of the CAL. Conclusions. No color effect was found in this study. Color was not used to emphasize certain content in this particular study. Thus, if the designer of a CAL lesson expects the color to affect student performance, it is recommended that the color be used to draw the user's attention to a particular point. Finally, in a CAL tutorial, animated graphics are more effective than still graphics while still graphics are more effective than text-only materials. However, these characteristics of CAL lessons should be carefully designed and programmed into the material in order to be effectively used.