Teaching is hard work, and learning isn’t easy. It’s not easy being a teacher. Teachers aren’t just Teachers. They play multiple roles, simultaneously. Teachers go to various lengths to ensure that the learning is effective. Students need to understand the concepts in the best possible way. Teachers make use of teaching aids in the classroom to make classes more interesting and effective; arouse interest in the teaching-learning process.
Teaching aids are tools and equipment used in teaching as a supplement to classroom instruction to enhance the interest of students. Teaching materials are important catalysts of effective instruction. Besides the traditional teaching methods, there are wide varieties of teaching aids available to the teacher.
There are many different types of Instructional materials that can be used in class. Here are examples and also the most commonly used Instructional materials.
- Visual Instructional materials: Visual aids use the sense of vision. It includes actual objects, charts, maps, flashcards, pictures, flannel boards, whiteboards, flip charts, models, etc.
- Audio Instructional materials: Audio aids are common teaching tools that include classroom stereo systems, individual headsets, radio, etc. In languages class, teachers use recordings to demonstrate how the language is spoken. It is used as a recreational activity. It involves the sense of hearing.
- Audio Visual Instructional materials: These aids can have a great impact on teaching. It involves the sense of vision as well as hearing. Audio Video aids are multi-sensory materials. They can be produced, distributed, and used as planned components of education programs. Teachers can use instructional or documentary video to enhance specific subjects or topics. It usually requires a television, digital video player, projection, film strips, etc.
- Mobile Technology Instructional materials: Mobile technology is everywhere. Mobile learning is a relatively less expensive opportunity. It is convenient as it is accessible from anywhere. In the classroom, it can replace the traditional mode of teaching which creates boredom. A mobile device provides information inside or outside the class so there is all time connection between friends and teachers. It gives new opportunities to both teachers and students.
- Language games Instructional materials: It develops basic skills i.e. listening, speaking, reading, and writing. It also develops the self-confidence and communication skill of the students.
- Language Lab Instructional materials: It is a modern teaching method used as audio or audio-visual aids. A variety of listening and speaking skills are exposed to the students. It is provided with a computer, video, electronic testing, word games, quizzes, debates, etc.
- News Paper Instructional materials: It develops students reading skills. The selection of newspaper material is also very important because it strengthens creative writing and knowledge of structure and grammar. A teacher can make it interesting by giving different tasks to the students.
Instructional materials technologies used in the classroom.
- Whiteboard – mini
- Digital book
- Videos
- Internet
- Powerpoint
- Onlinegames
Importance of Instructional materials
- Instructional materials make lessons more enjoyable, clear, and comprehensible for students. They can be used at all levels of the learning process to enrich vocabulary and
- Instructional materials for a second language motivate the students so that they can learn a language easily without having any difficulty.
- Instructional materials are effective to increase students’ memory. What they learn with the help of these aids imprints in their mind. It also makes their learning permanent. Supportive teaching materials provide advantages to remembering the second language
- Instructional materials can facilitate a better understanding of the subject which discourages the act of confusion. It makes the subject and every aspect of the lesson very clear and makes them successful in learning a second language
- Activities used during the teaching of language make their learning process like a game and students enjoy the learning process. The frequent use of supportive teaching materials increases the learning activities and chances of
- Instructional materials also increase students’ interest and motivate them to learn a second language better.
- Instructional materials provide a natural learning atmosphere and help them to actively involve in learning, teaching, and experiencing
- The use of Instructional materials in the class can heighten students’ desire of learning. All the students participate in the learning process vividly. It enables the students to express their concepts effectively.
- Instructional materials make the classroom live and active and avoid dullness because of the involvement of every student. It provides direct experience to the
- The use of proper Instructional materials saves lots of time and money also. It saves time from long and boring explanatory classes and helps the students to understand the complex subjects
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