Xerox Survey Shows Color Could Improve Learning and Boost Student Performance

Color is surprisingly absent in classroom handouts, according to a survey commissioned by Xerox (NYSE: XRX) of students in grades 3-12. In fact, seven in ten noted that very few or none of their handouts have pictures (72 percent) or charts or graphs (69 percent) in color.

According to a survey of students in grades 3-12, conducted by Harris Interactive on behalf of Xerox (NYSE: XRX), color is surprisingly absent in classroom handouts, even though color has been shown to have an impact on comprehension. Students agree - surveyed students indicated that color materials are particularly effective for more complex subjects, with 58 percent saying they would learn more in science if materials were in color. (Photo: Business Wire)

Color has been shown to have an impact on comprehension, and students agree. A majority who receive copies at school believe that words or pictures in color would help make schoolwork more interesting (77 percent agree, including 26 percent who strongly agree) and homework more fun to do (70 percent agree, including 25 percent who strongly agree).

The surveyed students indicated that color materials are particularly effective for more complex subjects, with 58 percent saying they would learn more in science if materials were in color.

“With shrinking budgets, color printing does not have to be cost prohibitive. There are affordable options like the new ColorQube® 8900 Color Multifunction Printer, which creates documents inexpensively on a wide range of media, including recycled paper,” said Leah Quesada, vice president, Marketing, Enterprise Business Group, Xerox. “With the right tools in place, color can be maximized in the classroom to the benefit of the students.”

To help school administrators affordably manage their print costs, Xerox offers the Hybrid Color Pricing Plan, which automatically analyzes the amount of color used in a document and charges accordingly. Access to color printing devices can also be controlled via a PIN or school ID badge.

For more information on how Xerox can help K-12 schools, visit http://www.xerox.com/k12edu.

Survey Methodology

This survey was conducted online within the United States by Harris Interactive on behalf of Xerox from Nov. 16-28, 2011 among 1,002 students in grades 3-12. Figures for age, sex, race/ethnicity, parental education, urbanicity and region were weighted where necessary to bring the overall sample into line with their actual proportions in the population of U.S. 8-18 year olds. Because the sample is based on those who agreed to be invited to participate in the Harris Interactive online research panel, no estimates of theoretical sampling error can be calculated.

About Harris Interactive

Harris Interactive is one of the world’s leading custom market research firms, leveraging research, technology and business acumen to transform relevant insight into actionable foresight. Known widely for the Harris Poll and for pioneering innovative research methodologies, Harris offers expertise in a wide range of industries including healthcare, technology, public affairs, energy, telecommunications, financial services, insurance, media, retail, restaurant and consumer package goods. Serving clients in more than 215 countries and territories through our North American and European offices and a network of independent market research firms, Harris specializes in delivering research solutions that help us – and our clients – stay ahead of what’s next. For more information, please visit http://www.harrisinteractive.com.

About Xerox

With sales approaching $23 billion, Xerox (NYSE: XRX) is the world’s leading enterprise for business process and document management. Its technology, expertise and services enable workplaces – from small businesses to large global enterprises – to simplify the way work gets done so they operate more effectively and focus more on what matters most: their real business. Headquartered in Norwalk, Conn., Xerox offers business process outsourcing and IT outsourcing services, including data processing, healthcare solutions, HR benefits management, finance support, transportation solutions, and customer relationship management services for commercial and government organizations worldwide. The company also provides extensive leading-edge document technology, services, software and genuine Xerox supplies for graphic communication and office printing environments of any size. The 140,000 people of Xerox serve clients in more than 160 countries. For more information, visit http://www.xerox.com, http://news.xerox.com or http://www.realbusiness.com. For investor information, visit http://www.xerox.com/investor.

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