Memory Retention and the Effects of Background Color in Non-Traditional Students in Online Education Settings

Abstract

This study aimed to determine whether background color of online reading passages would have a significant effect on memory retention. An online survey was provided to adult online non-traditional students; 210 responded. Three background colors were presented within the survey: white—the industry standard for current online education; yellow-a primary color; and purple-a hybrid color. There was a statistically significant difference between yellow and purple backgrounds, with student performance on yellow background exceeding performance on purple background by 9%; t = 2.876, df = 199, p = .004. There was also a significant difference between white and purple backgrounds, with student performance on white background exceeding performance on purple background by 13%; t = 4.522, df = 209, p = .0001. Implications were discussed for improving reading retention by modifying the reading environments of online students and students with learning and developmental disabilities.