UNIT III
CHAPTER 6
Selection and Use of Instructional Materials
"We learn by example and by direct experience because there are limits to the adequacy of verbal
instruction." - Malcolm Gladwell
Learning Outcome:
• Explain the guiding principles in the selection and use of instructional materials and their
implications to teaching - learning
Focus Questions:
• What are some guiding principles in the selection and use of instructional materials?
• How should these materials be used for learning to the maximum and optimum?
Introduction
There is no drab lesson if appropriate media are used in its presentation. Properly selected and used,
their impact on the attention, sustained interest, participation of students has long been recognized to a point
that this wide collection of teaching tools earned the title "sub-strategies". It is not surprising to see these
materials, devices and instruments accumulated in every teacher's storehouse. Of late, more teaching
technologies such as recordings, projectors and computers, CD-ROMS, videos have been available in some
schools.
There are two subjects in Educational Technology of three units each, where the use and selection
of instructional materials will be exhaustively discussed.
Principles
For optimum learning, let 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
are 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 material before class starts to be sure it is working properly. Nothing
is more frustrating to you or to the students in the process of instruction than to find that the overhead
projector or the LCD, 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, questions or initial comments you may need.
• Provide a conducive environment. Arrange the chairs, tables and the equipment and materials.
Provide sufficient lighting and ventilation.
• Explain the objectives 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 a need to summarize or review the experience. Prepare measures that can assess their gains
based on the objectives.
More details on instructional materials will be discussed in your course on Educational Technology 1.
Reference:
Corpuz, Brenda B. (2015). Principles of Teaching 1. Lorimar Publishing, INC.
