Colour Matters!

Welcome to the first cycle of my Action Research.

My name is Kerrie Young and I have been teaching since 2010, working with 14 – 19 year olds, including a number of learners who have very few qualifications, some with no qualifications at all, as well as learners with learning differences. In my spare time I am a DJ, playing in clubs and bars as well as having my own show on a community radio station.

After achieving my PTLLS in 2011 I enrolled to do my Certificate of Education (Cert Ed), during my first year I was really struggling to get the assignments done to the correct standard and was offered additional support, subsequently I was assessed for dyslexia and was told, although I have dyslexic traits I did not have dyslexia. During the pre assessment at college I was given a green overlay to help me read and I decided I wanted to do some research on this topic as I was surprised how much it helped me. While researching online I came across the Irlen website and filled in a self assessment.  I then had an assessment which resulted in me being diagnosed with a severe case of Irlen Syndrome and needed to use 3 overlays at the same time (2x Blue-grey 1x grey). It was not long after this that the second year of my Cert Ed was coming to an end and due to personal problems I was not able to complete all the work and did not pass my final year. I decided I wanted to take a year out from study, however in this time I became a qualified Irlen assessor in the hope of helping learners I teach on a day to day basis and seem to be having similar problems to me.

After taking a year out of study I wanted to complete my course, however my manager had told me about a Level 5 Mathematics course I could complete for free due to some government funding. As this is the subject I teach I felt this would be beneficial and could complete my Cert Ed the year after. This is exactly what I did, I completed and passed the course last year and I am now studying through the University of Bedfordshire to complete the final year of my Cert Ed, which I am enjoying so far and receiving the support I need, both from my tutors and my mentor.

I am now using Irlen tinted glasses which are helping me in so many ways. For this reason I decided I wanted to look at ways I could potentially help my learners, not only learners who have a statement but any learner who struggles with reading and writing, even helping learners who may not know any different, like I have all of my life. It is for all these reasons I would like to complete this research as well as being able to gain more knowledge of how colour can benefit different people.

I hope you enjoy reading through my research project and if you would like to find out more or have any questions about my project you may contact me via kerrie.young@keytraining.co.uk or djladyk1@hotmail.com