Lesson 6: Development and Use of Non-Digital or

Conventional Materials

Instructional materials are essential tools in learning every subject in the school
curriculum. They allow the students to interact with words, symbols and ideas in ways
that develop their abilities in reading, listening, solving, viewing, thinking, speaking,
writing, using media and technology.

The teachers need instructional materials to enhance teaching and learning.

Instructional materials are defined as print and non-print items that are rested to impact
information to students in the educational process (Effiong & Igiri, 2015) Examples of
instructional materials are drawings, kits, textbooks, posters, magazines, flip chart,
newspapers, diorama, pictures, recording videos.

Instructional materials are the supplementary materials, which help the teacher to
make his/her presentation concrete, effective, interesting, meaningful, and inspiring.
Instructional materials play a vital role as they provide sensory experiences to the learners.

Instructional materials refer to any preexisting materials that are being

incorporated, as well as to those that will be specifically developed for the objectives
(Haigler, 2014).

There are also several factors to consider in developing instructional materials:

1. Develop a story board and working outline based on the subject

goals and objectives.
2. Identify existing institutional resources including materials and
teachers’ capability.
3. The teacher may research off the shelf materials that have been
developed by others to determine if their approach could be useful.
4. Explore the possibility of adapting concepts of other teachers
without infringing on anyone’s copy protected design.
5. Modify existing materials based on the objectives of the lesson.
6. If the instructional materials are effective, you can share them with
other teachers.
7. The teacher developer can also sell her/his materials available.

Instructional materials are a great help in stimulating and facilitating the learning
of the learners. According to Wright (1976:1) as cited in Cakir (2006) many media and
many styles of visual presentation are useful to the language learner. In the teaching and
learning process, learners use their eyes as well as their ears; but their eyes are basic in
learning. DIORAMA Are small scenes created of layers of materials, all depicting a similar
concept or theme.
 1. Diorama

A diorama is a 3-dimensional scene created to illustrate an academic subject, a plot of a

story, or an event in history. Dioramas can be used throughout all levels of education.
They pinpoint a moment of learning and show deeper levels of understanding.

2. Nature Table

Creating a nature table is a wonderful way to invite children to engage in nature

study and play-based learning at home or in the classroom. The idea is to allow children
to connect with the natural objects and the scene depicted on the nature table.

3. Writing Board

A writing board can display information written with chalk (chalkboard or

blackboard) or special pens (whiteboard). Although there are usually more effective
methods of transmitting information, the writing board is still the most commonly used
visual aid.
 4. Flip Chart

Flip charts are a useful teaching aid. You can purchase prepared or blank flip charts,
or you can make them. A flip chart is a stationery item consisting of a pad of large paper
sheets. It is typically fixed to the upper edge of a whiteboard, typically supported on a
tripod or four-legged easel.

5. Zigzag Board

It is a multi-board series of three or four rectangular boards. They are joined together
along the sides by hinges so that they can be easily folded up and carried. Each board can
be of a different type, for example, a whiteboard, a chalkboard, a flannel board and so on.

6. Wall Display

Classroom wall displays are effective and purposeful when there is a clear connection
between work displayed and student learning. Posted work should be used as a vehicle to
showcase evidence of learning, highlight quality practices, and motivate students.
 7. Rope and Pole Display Board

In the classroom, teachers use the display board to teach children different topics in a
creative way. The main advantage of teaching with display boards is that it helps in visual
learning, which helps the children remember what they have learnt for a longer period of
time.

Guidelines when designing conventional instructional materials:

a. Unity – Use only one idea for each visual aid and include a headline.
b. Simplicity – Make ideas and relationships simple and easy to recall.
Avoid cluttering a visual with too many words, numbers,
or graphics. The learners should grasp the concept easily.
c. Legibility – Make letters big and readable for all learners.
d. Consistency – use the same type of style and art style.
e. Clarity – Avoid type that is too small to read, all caps.
f. Quality – Make it neat and professional and remember to proofread.
Lesson 7: Select and Use ICT Tools for Teaching and Learning

Today we do not need to go any further than our own home or even room, to see
some form of ICT in our lives. Whether it be a computer, plasma TV, or mobile phone, we
all have them in some part of our lives. In today’s society, people as consumers of ICT, all
strive for the one dream – the dream of a connected life.

This makes ICT a lifestyle choice for much of the population. In addition, this
lifestyle choice is changing the way we communicate, increasing the rate of consumerism,
and changing how we interact and gather information (Sherringham, Dec 2008/Jan 2009).

ICT has invaded and transformed many aspects of our lives to the extent that we
live in an environment that is dominated by technology which itself is consumer-driven
(Semenov, 2005). No matter how we perceive its presence, there is no denying that it is an
important part of our lives and that it is here to stay.

Key issues to remember in relation to the importance of ICT in Education are that:
1. E-learning or Online Learning: The presence of ICT in education allows for new
ways of learning for students and teachers. E-learning or online learning is
becoming increasingly popular and with various unprecedented events taking place
in our lives, this does not only open opportunities for schools to ensure that
students have access to curriculum materials whilst in the classroom but also
allows them to ensure students outside the classroom such as at home or even in
hospitals can learn.

2. ICT brings inclusion: The benefits of ICT in education is of such that students in
the classroom can all learn from the curriculum material. Students with special
needs are no longer at a disadvantage as they have access to essential material and
special ICT tools can be used by students to make use of ICT for their own
educational needs. Despite this, it opens up new issues related to the 'digital divide'
and providing access to ICT tools and resources for those who are less fortunate.

3. ICT promotes higher-order thinking skills: One of the key skills for the 21st
century which includes evaluating, planning, monitoring, and reflecting to name a
few. The effective use of ICT in education demands skills such as explaining and
justifying the use of ICT in producing solutions to problems. Students need to
discuss, test, and conjecture the various strategies that they will use.

4. ICT enhances subject learning: It is well known these days that the use of ICT in
education adds a lot of value to key learning areas like literacy and numeracy.

5. ICT use develops ICT literacy and ICT Capability: Both are 21st-century skills
that are best developed whilst ICT remains transparent in the background of subject
learning. The best way to develop ICT capability is to provide them with meaningful
activities, embedded in purposeful subject-related contexts.

6. ICT use encourages collaboration: You just have to put a laptop, iPad or computer
in the classroom to understand how this works. ICT naturally brings children
together where they can talk and discuss what they are doing for their work and
this in turn, opens up avenues for communication thus leading to language
development.
 7. ICT use motivates learning: Society's demands for new technology has not left out
children and their needs. Children are fascinated with technology, and it encourages
and motivates them to learn in the classroom.

8. ICT in education improves engagement and knowledge retention: When ICT is

integrated into lessons, students become more engaged in their work. This is
because technology provides different opportunities to make it more fun and
enjoyable in terms of teaching the same things in different ways. As a consequence
of this increased engagement, it is said that they will be able to retain knowledge
more effectively and efficiently.

9. ICT use allows for effective Differentiation Instruction with technology: We all
learn differently at different rates and styles and technology provide opportunities
for this to occur.

10. ICT integration is a key part of the national curriculum: The integration
of digital technologies or ICT is a significant part of the Australian Curriculum for
example, and this is a trend that many global governments are taking up as they
begin to see the significance of ICT in education.

11. We live in a “knowledge economy": This is an economy where it is vital to

have the ability to produce and use information effectively (Weert, 2005). It is a time
when ICT is pervasive and permeates throughout all industries in the economy
whether it may be health, education, environment or manufacturing (Moon,
Feb/Mar 2007). The significance of ICT in the Australian economy was emphasized
in the recent article by Alan Patterson, CEO of the Australian Computer Society, in
his statement that the “ICT industry now rivals mining in terms of the contribution
to the economy” (Patterson, Jan/Feb 2013, p. 8).

ICTs will continue to be a significant part of our future as it connects itself to more and
more parts of our lives. It will continually evolve and change because as consumers we
all like a choice. We like to use ICT for personal growth, creativity, and joy,
consumption, and wealth (Semenov, 2005).

Importance of Students Engaging with ICT

It is important for students to engage with ICT so that:

1. Learn 21st-century skills and develop their ICT capability and ICT literacy.
2. Improves their attainment levels.
3. Prepares them for an integrated society dominated by ICT developments.
4. So that they learn the notion of using ICT as a tool for lifelong learning.

If you put a lot of thought into your planning, you will notice a higher degree of
engagement and this can lead to the development of 21st-century skills such as complex
thinking, creative problem-solving, and collaboration.
Technology integration in the classroom is an instructional choice by you, the
teacher, and should always involve collaboration and deliberate planning.