Displays

Test yourself

Displays

Familiarise yourself with guidelines and tips that can quickly improve the quality of your next display board creation.

Scale

Research

In 2015, the University of Salford Manchester published their report "Clever Classrooms" that examined several design factors that affect learning and behaviour.
- Learning scores were higher in sparse classrooms than in decorated ones (Fisher et al 2014).
- Time on task along with learning scores were more favourable in low visual distraction rooms than in high visual distraction ones (Godwin and Fisher 2014).

Lettering

Oliver says that, when he first started teaching in the mid ‘70s, most teachers were adept at lettering, at any size.
Get hold of some very wide felt tips and try it out (using the grid to ensure a horizontal line).
Printing out individual letters onto A4 is a good idea. But think about their kerning.
- A technical word to describe the individual spacing between them. It’s not regular, as you can see in the image.

Checking if You Have Good Displays

Follow these steps to check whether you have good displays.

Squinting

As David Hockney does, squint.
- It helps you see the bigger pattern.
Stepping back and squinting helps you see the overall shape of the display.
This can give you feedback about what stands out, what is too small for the scale of a display board, and where the eye is led.

Thumbnails

Sketching up some thumbnails has a similar purpose as squinting.
With only bold shapes possible on the small size available, you are forced to look at the core design.
What will become apparent is the need to establish a simple order that makes the information displayed look accessible and inviting.

Tape up a grid

Use masking tape to establish your grid.
After the first time of measuring up, it’s a good idea to make some marks on the edge of the wooden border for the following times.
You might find using your thumbnail sketches a good time to decide on your grid’s ratios.
- Masking tape is cheap and easy to use.

Geometry and hierarchy

Use the grid to place and align your content.
Resist the urge to fill every space.
Create contrast between areas that have items close together, with empty space.
Use repetition to show order which helps the reader scan the display quickly.
Have different sized letters to indicate hierarchy of information.

1Dual Coding With Teachers

1.1The Limitations of Working Memory

1.1.1The Limitations of Working Memory

1.1.2To Try in Class

1.2Design Guide

1.2.1Design Guide

1.2.2To Try in Class

1.3Pen Craft

1.3.1Pen Craft

1.3.2To Try in Class

1.4Slides

1.4.1Slides

1.4.2To Try in Class

1.5Documents

1.5.1Documents

1.5.2To Try in Class

1.6Displays

1.6.1Displays

1.6.2To Try in Class

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