This presentation is about suggestions for the proper use of text, colour and sound in designing a learner software.

1. PRESENTED BY:
EVANS EDJAH (ED/MIT/14/0014)
UNIVERSITY OF CAPE COAST
COLLEGE OF DISTANCE EDUCATION
COURSE CODE: EIT 801
TITLE: COMPUTERS IN EDUCATION AND HUMAN DEVELOPMENT
TOPIC:
PRESENTING INFORMATION IN LEARNER SOFTWARE: TEXT,
COLOUR AND SOUND

2. OUTLINE
 Introduction
 What is learner software?
 Text
 Suggestions for proper use of text in learner software
 Colour
 Suggestions for proper use of colour in learner software
 Sound
• Suggestions for proper use sound in learner software
 Conclusion

3. o The purpose of this essay is to explore some of the effective ways of using these
elements when presenting information in a learner software.
INTRODUCTION
o Text, colour and sound are some of the elements of multimedia which play
very important roles in a learner software.
o The effective use of these elements in a learner software enhances the
communication and understanding of whichever information you want to put
across.
o Communication and understanding of the information may however be
hampered if attention is not given to these elements when presenting information
in a learner software.

4. In all the examples mentioned above, text, colour and sound are some of the
elements used to present information to the users (learner).
WHAT IS A LEARNER SOFTWARE?
A learner software is a computer based software that aids learners to learn.
Examples of learner software include;
• Mavis Beacon,
• Microsoft Encarta,
• Cambridge Student Dictionary, and
• Games such as Hangaroo, Limbo, Super Mario, etc.

5. o Insufficient attention and flow of text within a learner software can result in
failure to communicate the presentation’s central message.
TEXT
o They are characters that are used to create words, sentences and paragraphs.
o It is an important component in learner software.
o Text is the simplest and often the most effective way to get one’s message
across.

6. 8. Avoid too much use of stylish font that are more of graphics. They tend to
make reading difficult.
Some Suggestions for Proper Use of Text in Learner Software:
1. Follow the general convention of sequencing in which text should be read.
2. Sentences and paragraphs should be well formatted on a display
3. The text size should be legible enough so that readers do not strain their eyes
in order to read the information you are presenting.
4. Consistently use indentation or blank lines to indicate new paragraphs
5. Do not squeeze text into half of the display leaving the rest almost blank.
6. Use bold to emphasize text or to give power to words instead of underlining.
7. Present the information in conventional upper and lower case text

7. COLOUR
o Studies by Dwyer (1978) and Pett & Wilson (1996) show that colour, if
effectively used enhances learning and motivation.
o The use of colour in a learner software is effective for attracting attention,
though only when used in moderation.
o The attention-getting effect of colour is used to attract attention to important
information.
o Colour may also increase the information capacity of a display and be used to
emphasize differences.
o However, misuse of colour can be detrimental to learners.
o Those who are colour-deficient may also lose information presented in colour.

8. Some Suggestions for Proper Use of Colour in Learner software:
o Pay attention to colour combinations when dealing with backgrounds and
foregrounds
o Be consistent with the use of colour in your program.
o The use of colour should be consistent with common usage in the society.
o Pay attention to colour symbolism by culture and use colour accordingly to
suit the potential users of the software.
o Be aware of the effects of colours on mood and use colour to set the right
mood for the user.
o Cater for the colour-blind user.

9. o Speech, music and sound effects are all sounds that can be used in designing a
learner software.
SOUND
o Sound is one of the most important elements in multimedia.
o Sound is the terminology used in the analogue form and the digitized form of
sound is called audio.

10. 1. It is excellent for gaining attention, even when the learner is distracted and not
looking what is displayed.
2. Speech is useful to non-readers, poor readers and the visually impaired.
3. Sound can also add interest to a learner software.
4. Sound effects have a contextual function to interpret visuals as they appear.
(e.g. rainfall).
5. Sound can also be used to establish the pace of an action or event in a display
by rhythm.
Some Advantages of Sound in Learner Software:
One major disadvantage of using sound in a learner software is that it is not
useful to the hearing impaired and for most people, audio is not as memorable
as visual media.
Disadvantages:

11. 8. All sound used in learner software must be of high quality.
Some Suggestions for Proper Use of Sound in Learner Software:
1. Use sound for getting attention, for direction and for dual coding.
3. Provide both text and speech as options
4. Allow user control of audio so that users can choose turn of the speech
option, pause, repeat, skip, increase or decrease the volume.
5. Add sound effects to visuals to make them real. ( e.g. rainfall, night, etc).
6. Use sound to provide feedback. (e.g. the sound of a breaking glass to signify
an error).
7. Use sound (rhythm) to establish the pace of an activity/event on a display.
2. Provide speech for readers who have difficulty reading text.

12. CONCLUSION
 A learner software is supposed to provide educative information to the learner.
 It should therefore have the power to convey information to the learner in such
a way that the primary purpose of the software would not be defeated.
 Thus, it is important for the designer of the learner software to know the proper
ways of using text, colour and sound to communicate the information to
learner in a way the learner would easily perceive the information for proper
understanding.
 This is because these elements- text, colour and sound, if not properly used
would rather cause harm than good.

13. REFERENCES:
1. Alessi, S. & Trollip, S. (2001). Multimedia for Learning: Methods and
Development. Boston: Allyn and Bacon.
2. Hye-Yeon Lim, Effects of Colours:An Essay Paper for the course EDC 385G
Interactive Multimedia Design & Production at the University of Texas -
Austin.
3. Muthukumar, S.L (2005). Creating interactive multimedia-based educational
courseware: cognition in learning. Cognitive Tech Work, 7: 46-50.
4. Stephen A. Brewster & Philip D. Gray (2006), Guidelines for the Use of
Sound in Multimedia Human-Computer Interfaces: Department of Computing
Science, University of Glasgow
5. University of Saskatchewan Teaching and Learning Centre. Using
instructional Media[Web Page].Accessed 2014 dec.Available at:
http://www.usask.ca/tlc/ut/teaching guide/utl using it.html.

15. o Speech, music and sound effects are all sounds that can be used in designing a
learner software.
SOUND
o Sound is one of the most important elements in multimedia.
o Sound is the terminology used in the analogue form and the digitized form of
sound is called audio.

16. 8. Avoid too much use of stylish font that are more of
graphics. They tend to make reading difficult.
1. Follow the general convention of sequencing in which
text should be read.
3. The text size should be legible enough so that readers
do not strain their eyes in order to read the
information you are presenting.
4. Consistently use indentation or blank lines to
indicate new paragraphs
6. Use bold to emphasize text or to give power to words
instead of underlining.
7. Present the information in conventional upper and
lower case text

17. COLOUR
o Studies by Dwyer (1978) and Pett & Wilson (1996) show that colour, if
effectively used enhances learning and motivation.
o The use of colour in a learner software is effective for attracting attention,
though only when used in moderation.
o The attention-getting effect of colour is used to attract attention to important
information.
o Colour may also increase the information capacity of a display and be used to
emphasize differences.
o However, misuse of colour can be detrimental to learners.
o Those who are colour-deficient may also lose information presented in colour.

18. COLOUR
o Studies by Dwyer (1978) and Pett & Wilson (1996) show that colour, if
effectively used enhances learning and motivation.
o The use of colour in a learner software is effective for attracting attention,
though only when used in moderation.
o The attention-getting effect of colour is used to attract attention to important
information.
o Colour may also increase the information capacity of a display and be used to
emphasize differences.
o However, misuse of colour can be detrimental to learners.
o Those who are colour-deficient may also lose information presented in colour.

19. Pink: soothes, acquiesces; promotes affability and affection.
Yellow: expands, cheers; increases energy.
White: purifies, energizes, unifies; in combination, enlivens all other colors.
Black: disciplines, authorizes, strengthens; encourages independence.
Orange: cheers, commands; stimulates appetites, conversation, and charity.
Red: empowers, stimulates, dramatizes, competes; symbolizes passion.
Green: balances, normalizes, refreshes; encourages emotional growth.
Purple: comforts, spiritualizes; creates mystery and draws out intuition.
Blue: relaxes, refreshes, cools; produces tranquil feelings and peaceful
moods.

20. o Speech, music and sound effects are all sounds that can be used in designing a
learner software.
SOUND
o Sound is one of the most important elements in multimedia.
o Sound is the terminology used in the analogue form and the digitized form of
sound is called audio.