Educational aids can be defined as pictures, objects and other things an instructor uses for the benefit of his students by looking at or listening to.
My aim, in this short paper, is to verify three issues that concern
visual aids. Why we should use audio-visual aids is the first question.
The second question is how to use them effectively.
The final question deals with what materials we can use as educational
aids.
Teachers in general need to -use educational aids, as defined above, in order to guarantee the following advantages: -
a. Focus on a number of human senses
b. Help simplify explain difficult concepts.
c. Leave longer lasting impressions.
d. Give realistic impacts.
e. Enhance level of teaching.
f. Break monotony.
g.
Help inform students of their levels, skills and knowledge.
These advantages, however, never
suggest that teachers use excessively. Teachers will discover that there are the
aids they intend to use in their classrooms.
Some of the things that teachers, planning to use instructional aids, find disadvantageous include:-
a)
Audible materials Visual aids are not audible
b)
Visual aids are not really visible enough.
c)
The use of educational aids hinders the traditional lecturing.
d)
Aids are sometimes complex and difficult to operate hence to use in a
classroom.
e)
Aids are often costly.
Therefore, it is very wise to consider the above disadvantages prior to using any one individual educational aid. Teachers must take all necessary precautions that the educational aids they intend to use give learners the opportunity to feel and examine them aids at a closer range. Teachers, therefore, should make sure that these aids benefit all learners concerning the time allotted to each student in the classroom.
| What educational aids can we use in the classrooms? |
Some common examples of educational aids include: -
1.
Overhead
projects
2.
Slide
projectors.
3. Opaque projectors.
4.
Audio video tape recorders.
5.
Film
projector.
6.
Flip
charts.
7.
Chalk/white
board
8.
Magnetic
boards.
9.
Posters.
10. Charts and cards.
11.
Reallia.
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Avoid leaving
the light on when you have no transparency on the stage.
Remember
not to allow head or shoulder to get in the way of projector.
Do
not move the projector while it is on.
Projector
must be pre-focused and tested, and lenses must be cleaned before class period.
Projector must
be firmly and securely in position, with electric cords protected.
The
projected image should fill the screen.
Darken
the room when necessary.
If
material is colour, complete darkness is necessary.
Do
not project for lengthy periods due to heat and heat damage.
Do
not use flammable objects.
It
is an effective aid for self-development, demonstrations, case study, and
role-playing. Before starting to record the presentation, get to know the
recorder. Run tests before your recording and playing back to determine proper
settings of controls for volume and tone.
Pre-focusing
and adjusting of equipment is a must.
Be
sure projector is firmly positioned and electric wires are protected.
Thread
the film prior to lesson.
Make
proper introduction before you start.
Choose
the theme of your film carefully.
Have
a spare bulb ready.
Turn
the pages carefully.
Be
sure colour and size of writing or class can see printing.
Stand
to the side.
Do
not lean against the stand.
You
should know the contents of your flip chart presentation so you know what comes
next.
Do
not leave chart on display after it has been used.
Plan the material, considering:
The
surface size of the board.
The
distance between the board and the last row.
Do
your chalkboard presentation on a piece of paper prior to class. Print legibly,
neatly, and large enough.
Use
the eraser not your fingers when correcting your writing.
Clean the
whole board.
Do
not talk when writing.
Be
sure objects are not too heavy for magnet.
Plan
your presentation, piece by piece.
Have
the board tilted at a slight angle.
Do
not talk to the board.
10- Charts and cards:-
11- Realeia: -
Teachers
can also bring real objects to class such as real food items.
Teachers
are invited to use gestures, facial expressions and miming to ensure that the
meaning of a certain concept is well illustrated and understood by the students.
Instructors in this sense must keep up with the new materials and uses
for them. They should read excessively about these materials in professional
journals. On top of this, they should develop a sense of learning outcome.
An active imagination will reveal unlimited relative ideas. There is always a better way to achieve what one aspires to.
By:
Younis Dawood Younis