Entering a modern classroom can be a treat to the eyes. There are learning materials everywhere. However, it is vital to design the learning aids in a way that students can connect with the skills being taught.
The Need for White Space on Bulletin Boards and Classroom Walls
Just as the margins on a paper or photographs allow the brain to frame the concept, the white space on learning material – whether it be a paper, poster, or bulletin board – allows the student to digest one idea at a time.
When a wall or other area is too crowded, with no space between items being portrayed, the reader can be overwhelmed and overstimulated, thereby not receiving clear instructional exposure to a specific concept. If a wall or other such space is covered with learning material and excessive bright colors and pictures, a student may find attention hopping from one to another without actually seeing and comprehending any one thing clearly. Worse yet, it can become just background to be ignored.
In order to make material presented on a wall or other surface visually available to the students, teachers might consider leaving adequate white space around important items. Subject areas may be grouped together with plenty of white space between subjects. For example, a grouping of science posters may be surrounded by a non-busy area. This highlights their importance and increases the chance of their actually being read and absorbed by students.
White Space in Visual Material Defined
White space is the negative space that serves as a spacer between stimulating materials designed to draw one's attention to them. The use of white space is clearly understood in areas of graphic design including PowerPoint presentations, business flyers, and business cards.
Effective use of white space is also strongly suggested in developing or improving a resume. People are advised to make a good impression by framing important information with enough white space to let the ideas sink in.
White space has long been considered a necessary element of visual design, of use in both important communication and encouraging the eye to rest on a particular area to cement the concept being shown. People involved in visual art also tout the vital role of white space in their work.
White space is not dead space; white space serves just as much of a function as the printed material does. It guides the eyes to linger, move on, or if not used properly, even move away from the material. White space costs a premium in advertising because marketing professionals know its value.
The Concept of White Space for Visual Availability in Instructional Materials
There is no doubt that educational materials are designed to "make a good impression" on students. Therefore, all the general elements of good visual and graphic design apply to instructional materials as well as they do in the advertising field or in other business endeavors.
White space – on pages or worksheets as well as on the walls – allows the reader to concentrate on one concept till it is digested and lets the observer "change gears" from one topic or concept to another.
Special education has known about white space and used it for years, but many of the techniques and ideas which are used with special education students can also apply to any learning situation. Tutors and family members may fold a sheet in half or make sure a work area is clear of distractions. These are a few of the more common examples of white space being used to enhance learning.
Using a teaching strategy which involves presenting material in a "visually available" way can make any instructional materials more effective. Regular use of white space in both paper and pencil activities as well as projected or other wall materials make the concepts easier to grasp. It can be helpful to use wisdom from professional organizers and either get rid of some things or store them out of sight.
Just like students and others need time to transition between holidays or other busy times, they also need white space on visual materials. This need for white space includes instructional materials on bulletin boards and classroom walls. The same good design sense which is used in advertising is helpful in the classroom in order to allow students to fully grasp concepts as well as transition from one topic to another. Such classroom use of white space makes the materials "visually available" to the pupils. This may be a good day to take a hard look at the classroom walls with a view to adding white space!
Hildra Tague - Mrs. Hildra Tague is a freelance writer, consultant, and teacher dedicated to issues of education and parenting. This all started when she ...
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