What are instructional materials?

These are materials that are used to aid in the transference of information from one to another. For example, a teacher may use instructional materials to aid in include: Power Point presentations (visual aids) Books Articles Materials for project development the list can go on and on. Some call them instructional materials, while others may call them learning or teaching aids.
When do we used instructional materials You use instructional materials when you teach something. Some examples of instructional materials might be books, worksheets, samples of items you are teaching about, pictures of things you are teaching about, CDs with music from places you are teaching about, audio CDs with samples of a language you are teaching, charts and graphs which give visual information about something you are teaching about.

Importance of instructional materials Improve the delivery of instruction Creation of effective, meaningful lessons Helps students make sense of information Effective lessons help students cut through extraneous information to encourage your student in their lesson and get their attention Instructional Materials serve as the channel between the teacher and the students in delivering the instruction. They may also serve as the motivation on students in delivering the instruction. They may also serve as the motivation on order for them to experience boredom.

Principles of selection and use of instructional materials For Optimum learning, Lets us observe the following general principles in the use of instructional materials (IMs). 1. All instructional materials are aids to instruction. They do not replace the teacher. 2. Choose the instructional material that best suits your instructional objectives. Decide what you want to accomplish and then employ the tools that are most likely to achieve results. Do not let the media that is available to you determine how or what you will teach. 3. If possible, use a variety of tools. Using videos, computers, overheads and the chalkboard not only keeps students interest but also responds to the needs of those who receive information in different ways. 4. Check out your instructional materials before class starts to be sure it is working properly. Nothing is more frustrating to you or to your students in the process of the instruction than to find that the overhead projector, for instance, does not work in the process of instruction. 5. For results, abide by the general utilization guide on the use of media given below: Learn how to use the instructional material. Before using it, make sure you know how to manipulate it to obtain the desired product. Listen to the record or view the film ahead.

Check the correct size and complete parts of real objects, photographs or models to be presented. Prepare introductory remarks, question or initial comments you may need. Provide a conducive environment; arrange the chairs, tables and the equipment and materials. Provide sufficient lightning and ventilation. Explain the objective of the lesson. Stress what is to be watched or listened to carefully. State what they will be expected to do with the information they will learn. Discussion or a test may follow. There is need to summarize or review the experience. Prepare measures that can assess their gains based on the objectives.

Types of IM 1. Audio recording Audio recording include tapes, records and compact discs. Tapes may be in the form of teacherrecorded, student recorded or ready-made tapes that are commercially produced. Audio media is used by the teacher in connection with speech rehearsals, drama, musical presentation, radio and television broadcasting. Advantages Improve listening skills Easy to operate Safe way of storing information Can be used in small or big groups Best used to improve speech skills Lessen distraction when used with headphones

Disadvantages Extended use may bore students Costly compared to actual oral presentation 2. Overhead Transparencies and overhead projector (OHP) By using the overhead projector, a transparency will can show pictures, diagrams and sketches at a time when they are needed in a discussion. Step-by-step instruction, enumerations or any sequenced illustration can easily be presented through transparencies. Advantages Transparencies can easily be prepared by teacher or the students. The teacher is able to maintain eye to eye contact while the transparency is on.

Transparencies are reusable OHP presentation can be used with large or small groups. OHP is easy to operate

Disadvantages The overhead projector may be costly for some. Moving it around needs as much care When overhead, transparency can be damaged 3. Bulletin Boards A bulletin board is usually stationary on a wall or it can be movable. The surface is made of cork or soft wall boards for attachment of display items. Its contents may be used for the duration of unit being studied. The learning materials may be pictures, newspaper clippings, real objects or drawings.

Advantages It can start a preview if the lesson to be presented as a way of motivating the students, The attractive displays can add life and color to a drab room atmosphere. A display can allow a number of students to browse over its contents at the same time.

Disadvantage A good one needs time to plan and execute. If hurried, the display may fail in conveying the message desired. 4. Chalkboard This includes not only those with flat and wide surfaces but also the portable types which can be moved or even serve as dividers. Using chalk, it is a convenient writing area where illustrations can instantly be drawn even during a discussion. An eraser can easily keep it clean and ready for continuous use.

Advantages It is easily available It is inexpensive and easily installed It can accommodate so, much writing space and easy to clean. Topics can be listed, deleted or revised to a final form. It is convenient to use both for formally prepared lessons and for spontaneous sessions The attention of the class can be easily be held and focused, its usually located in front of the room

Disadvantages Lessons or writings on the chalkboards are only for days uses, hence temporary and cannot be saved Chalks dust makes the area messy Writing makes one turn his back to the audience. 5. Charts Charts may be in the form of maps, graphs, photographs and cut-outs. They may be pre-pared graphic devices or posters. Advantages Charts can be used over and over again They can be moved easily from one place to another. Colored charts are more attractive Charts can be made by students

Disadvantages Charts cannot be show motion Big charts are cumbersome to handle Charts can be outdated

6. Mock-ups A mock-up is a replica of an object that can be larger or smaller in scale. It is intended to show the essential parts which are made detachable. Advantages It can be constructed by the teacher since she knows which part should be emphasized. In a mock-up structure of a flower the detachable parts could be the pistil and the stamen. It is the way of focusing observations on the desired part to be studied as well as the functional relationship of the part.

Disadvantages Its construction could be time-consuming Since the sizes are exaggerated, the students might be confused when face with the real objects. It could be costly.

7. Realia Realia stands for real things that are to be studied like using real insects or plants. They are plentiful in the children environment and around school. Advantages Real objects are easily available everywhere Examining real objects create concrete learning experiences for the learner. Real specimens can be handled and observed throughout Some are expensive Problems regarding storage and retrieval arise.

Disadvantages Some live animals and plants are potentially hazards Objects like circuit and heat source could be dangerous Some are expensive Problems regarding storage and retrieval may arise

8. Video types/films Films come in the form of 8mm and 16m type. Video tapes can be purchased or rented. Advantages Motion pictures easily motivate children. Movement or sequence of events can be shown clearly They are adaptable to large or small groups. Considering the number of times they can b used, they are relatively inexpensive. They require very little reading skills.

Disadvantages 9. Choosing films with the exact content desired may be a problem Projection equipment might be expensive for some schools. Mechanical and operational problem may arise with the projection equipment. Models Models are scaled replicas of real objects. When the real things cannot be used due to their size either too larger or too small, replicas are used. Examples are globes model cars; air-planes or houses and furnitures.

Advantages

Models provide motivation and enhance learning. Oversized objects can be reduces in size and can be studied in the classroom. Some models can be purchased from commercials firms The parts can be built as to scale and can be appearing exactly like the real object.

Disadvantages Purchase of models can be costly 10. Pictures These include flat, opaque and still pictures. Photographs or pictures clipped from newspapers and magazine are also used. The concepts to be taught could be introduced through pictures. Advantages Appropriate pictures that fit the objectives are easy to obtain. They are often free in the form of clippings. In a well chosen picture, the amount of information that can be conveyed is tremendous They are more effective than oral or written statements. They are reusable.

Disadvantages Choosing the right picture can be a problem for some teacher. Handling pictures need so much care. Sometimes the correct size or prospective if scaled in a picture can cause confusion especially fit the children are not familiar to the object. An airplane and a boat may be interpreted to be of the same size.

11. Books Textbooks and all kinds of books are also classified as media or sub-strategies. They contain information, pictures and graphics. Advantages Books are well-written. They present accurate facts and details. They serve as permanent sources of information. Owning books assures one with available information when needed. They are reusable Student can control their own pace of learning by using books at a convenient time. Books which present color, action and beautiful sceneries are enjoyed and reread a number of times.

Disadvantages

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Books on special contents can be expensive for some. At one time, the search for information can be limited to one or two readers. Some students are not readers Some students are not readers. Electronics Materials

A lot of electronic materials are now available for teaching-learning CDs, DVDs, CD-ROMS and the internet. While these are developments in the field of educational technology, it does not mean that all there that came before like textbooks have become obsolete.