Summary ---from Alison

Summary

Summary of “Setting the Stage for Learning”

In the introduction in page 167 to 169 of the article, “Setting the Stage for Learning” (1977), the author, L. B., Rosenfeld, stated that we can shift the learning efficiency by three ways which are: arranging the setting, controlling the colours that surround us, and planning our body type.

Rosenfeld (1977) indicated that in the colour aspect, the colours of the environment affect achievement and behaviour (p. 169). The author provides several examples of using colours in sport teams. In this example, cool colours can calm and relax aggressive behaviour, and warm colours have the ability to stimulate and encourage achievement (Rosenfeld, 1977, p.169). Most importantly, the author (p.169) mentioned that students in the schools that are painted with colour dynamic principles (such as cheerful colours), have greater achievement than in the schools that are painted in traditional colours or unpainted schools. (Ketcham quoted in Rosenfeld, 1977, p.169)

In conclusion, utilizing colours properly can affect students in positive ways (Rosenfeld, 1977, p.169). Based on Rosenfeld (1977), colour choices usually depend on the person’s age (p.169). The younger students use warmer colours in the classroom, yet for older children, the suggestion is to use cooler colours in their learning environment to avoid distraction. (Thompson quoted in Rosenfeld, 1977, p. 169)
Summary of “Using Color in Presentations”

Base on Business Communication Quarterly, 59:1, in the article, “Using Color in Presentations” (1966, p.90-92), the author, Marie E. Flatley, stated that the color can mislead people’s eyes; however, using the color effectively can improve presentations because of its effect on creating people’s interests and making the presenter’s points clearer. Some of the ways to enhance a presentation’s appearance are: paying attention to the background, text, and color rules, mentioned by M. E. Flatley (1966, p.90-92).

According to M. E. Flatley (1966), the background colors mean the room lighting which depends on the presenter’s location, and the sources of natural light (p.91). In the aspect of color rules, the colors are classified by emotion into three color groups: warm colors such as red which stands for stimulant, cold colors such as blue which represents a soothing feeling, and neutral colors such as green which symbolizes safety, indicated by Flatley (1966, p.91). The text color should contrast with the background color, especially between the title and the background color, suggested Flatley (1966, p.91). In addition, the author (1966) mentioned that limiting the amount of colours avoids confusing the audience’s cognition in the presenter’s message (p.91). To highlight the point one must use it with a high contrast colour (Flatley, 1966, p.92). As the author said (p.92), by using a matching and accurate color in your graph, the information will be explained more efficiently (1966).

In conclusion, although using colour in presentation may confuse the audience, utilizing colour properly and paying attention to the relationship between background, text, and color rules can significantly enhance the quality of presentation (Flatley, 1966, p.90-92).

Summary of “Learning to see creatively”

In the chapter, “Color”, in page 76 to 85 of the book, “Learning to see creatively” (2003), the author, Bryan Peterson, stated that color is certainly noticeable in our life, and people should be acquainted with colors. In addition, he introduced that colors have two main positions which are named primary color and secondary color.

According to Peterson (2003) in page 76, primary color, red, blue, and yellow, cannot be created by other mixing color, has two major sets which are called subtractive color and additive color. However, secondary color, orange, green, and violet, can be produced by mixing any two primary colors, explained by Peterson (2003, p.76). The author, Peterson further mentioned that subtractive color should be especially kept in mind when people work with color (2003, p.76).

To sum up, B. Peterson briefly introduced colors which are placed in two: primary color and secondary color, and he mentioned that primary color is divided into two main sets which are subtractive colors and additive colors(2003, p.76). He then suggested that people should keep subtractive colors in their mind when working with colors (Peterson, 2003, p.76).