UNIT 26: Selection and use of teaching aids

Let’s start by defining what teaching aids are; these are all the resources and equipment available in the classroom. This entry will outline some of them and their use.

To start with one of the most useful and available aid is the board, where we can build up ideas by creating word maps or mind maps,  as well as whole class compositions.  Another aid is the computer, where we can have supplementary materials to reinforce language. There are also different visual aids as realia, which are real objects that serve as prompts for showing and specifying information, like when we teach the parts of the body, our body serves as realia so that we can point at different parts to clarify and relate to the word said. Indeed the most important teaching aid is the teacher since we can provide context, and clarification by using gestures and facial expressions, like when we cover a topic about numbers and the student forgets one so we use our hands to show the number and to help the student remember.

Remember that what it is important is to choose the best teaching aid for a specific teaching purpose and context to arise interest in your class.

For additional information check:

Cijffers, D. (Lecturer). (2015, September 10). 4 Principles of Engaging Online Task Design [Video file]. Retrieved January 15, 2016, fromhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k-6x3Ui2oRU

Dimond-Bayir, S. (Director). (2014, November 19). Using Images to Stimulate Learner Engagement[Video file]. Retrieved January 16, 2016, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lxSVlzk-dwg&list=PL-oYKB0D9-E0jhYdYscPMrcPwFjR4xqJm&index=31