Instructional resources
In order to improve the quality learning environment teachers use varied “instructional resources” (Barry, K. & King, L., 1998) such as books, pictures, videos, audio recordings, and internet and so on. Do they really enhance or decrease students’ engagement and participation in class activities.? I will try to answer this question through observing two separate classes: Religion and Mathematics.
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| "Instructional resources" in Year 5 classroom |
The first class commenced with a short video of “Creation” and Luis Armstrong’s song “What a wonderful world”. Students’ engagement in class activity and their participation in the subsequent discussion was impressively high. As a task students had to design the front page of a Religion book using different forms of expressions: words, pictures and sentences related to the topic. Use of “instructional resources” made the learning more meaningful and encouraged students to use their imagination and creative thinking to transfer their thoughts and ideas onto paper. What surprised me was how a good introduction made all the boys very interested in the topic and had a positive impact on reflective thinking and attitude towards learning.
Mathematics lesson did not provide similar effect, even though the pre - graduate teacher used an interactive web page to summarize additions. The class activities mainly depended on an interactive website. The “instructional resource” was clearly overused, and consequently students’ interest clearly decreased within the time. Only two students at a time were taking part in a math web quiz, where other peers were either watching the activity or focusing on something else.
I agree that “instructional resources enhance learning if used appropriately” Salomon (1986), Kemp & Smellie (1989). In order to provide meaningful quality learning and have all the students motivated and engaged in class activities, “instructional resources” should be treated only as a supportive tool. They should be used in moderation and not overtake the role of the teacher.
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| "Instructional resources" |
References:
Barry, K. & King, L. (1998). Developing instructional skills.
In Beginning Teaching and Beyond, (3rd ed.), (pp144-167).
Social Science Press.
"Instructional resources" Image retrieved from
http://www.caringbahlearningcentre.com.au/assets/images/
computer.JPG on 14.10.10
In Beginning Teaching and Beyond, (3rd ed.), (pp144-167).
Social Science Press.
