Instructional Technology and Media for Learning

Instructional Materials and Displays

RAKESH KUMAR CHINDAM

OVERVIEW

Learning Centers

Instructional Modules

Manipulative

Printed Materials

Free and Inexpensive Materials

Display Surfaces

Exhibits

LEARNING CENTERS

A self-contained environment

Promotes individual or small-group

learning

Should encourage active participation of

students

Advantages

Self-pacing

Active Learning

Teacher Role

Limitations

Cost and Management

Student Responsibility

Student Isolation

INSTRUCTIONAL MODULES

A self-contained instructional unit

Used by a single or small-group learners

without teachers presence.

The Instructional module must gain

Student’s attention

Introduce the topic

Present new content

Provide practice-and-feedback activities

Test for mastery

Assign follow-up remediation or

enrichment

Components of Modules

MANIPULATIVES

Are the objects that can be viewed and

handled in a learning setting

Are often included in learning centers and

instructional modules

Field trips, displays, and dioramas include

manipulative

3 Types of manipulative

Real objects

Models

Mock-ups

Real Objects

Coins, tools, artifacts, plants, animals, etc.

There is no substitute for real thing when

learning some content

May be used as is, or may modify them to

enhance instruction

Also plays a valuable role in the evaluation

phase of instruction

Models

Are three-dimensional representations of

real objects

Provide learning experiences that real

things cannot provide

Assembly activities help sharpen both

cognitive and psychomotor skills

Mock-ups

Are sometimes constructed as working

models

The recommended media when realism is

essential for learning

PRINTED MATERIALS

Include textbooks, fiction and nonfiction

books, booklets, pamphlets, study guides,

manuals, etc.

Most common application is presenting

information

Advantages

• Availability

• Portability

• Flexibility

• User friendly

• Economical

Limitations

Reading level

Memorization

Vocabulary

One-way presentation

Curriculum determination

FREE AND INXEPENSIVE MATERIALS

Include posters, games, pamphlets,

brochures, reports, charts, maps, books,

audiotapes, etc.

Another resource that has become very

important for obtaining free and

inexpensive materials is the Internet

Advantages

Up to date

In-depth treatment

Student manipulation

Limitations

Bias or advertising

Special interests

Limited quantities

Sources for Materials

There are local, state, national, and

international sources of free and

inexpensive materials

Local government agencies, community

groups, private businesses, public

libraries, Trade and professional

associations, etc. to name only a few.

DISPLAY SURFACES

Chalkboards and Whiteboards

Are universally recognized as a flexible and

economical display surfaces

The white surface is also suitable for

projection of video, PowerPoint frames,

slides, etc.

Electronic Whiteboards

Allows to “capture” digitally anything written on

them

Especially valuable for brainstorming sessions

and for summarizing group discussions

Copies could be particularly helpful for students

who miss class

Two types of electronic whiteboards – standard

and interactive

Bulletin Boards

Brief news announcements of urgent

interest are posted for public notice

In practice, bulletin board displays tend

to serve three broad purposes –

decorative, motivational, or instructional

Cloth Boards

Are constructed of cloth stretched over a sturdy

backing material such as plywood, etc.

Shy students may particularly profit from this kind

of activity

Magnetic Boards

Visuals are backed with magnets and then

placed on the metal surface of the board

Major advantage is that maneuvering visuals is

easier and quicker than with cloth boards

Flip charts

Is a pad of large paper fastened together at

the top and mounted to an easel

Is an extremely versatile, convenient, and

inexpensive media format

Is an exceptionally valuable aid to any group

discussion

EXHIBITS

Are collections of various objects and visuals

3 types of exhibits

Field Trips

Displays

Dioramas

Field Trips

Field trips are an exhibit of real things in their natural environment

Displays

A display is an array of objects, visuals, and printed materials (e.g., labels and descriptions)

Dioramas

Dioramas are static displays consisting of 3- dimensional foreground and a flat background to create a realistic scene

Thank You