The Progressive Teacher Vol 04 Issue 04

instructional tools
Relevance of Instructional Tools
in Classroom Transaction
Ken Robinson, in one of his Ted talks titled ‘Bring on the learning
revolution’, talks about crisis in education. The most interesting
fact about his talk is that he considers human resources as natural
resources, often buried deep and that human life is organic. He
strongly suggests that there ought to be a shift from industrial
model of education to a model based more on agricultural
principles. He
further explains
that we must
recognise that
Ken Robinson
human flourishing
is not a mechanical process but an organic one.
Hence, the outcome of human development cannot
be predicted and like a farmer, educationists need
to create the conditions under which children begin
to flourish.
–Leena Satuluri
Just like the farmer, teachers
as catalysts create the right
learning environment to
facilitate students’ knowledge
and understanding. As such,
the need to use the right tools
to enhance the development of
each child in terms of cognition,
creativity and thinking come to
the fore.
Any concrete teaching-learning
materials that stimulate pupils’
senses and facilitate concept
attainment and better retention
of those concepts in pupils
simultaneously developing their
thinking and creativity can be
called ‘Instructional tools’.
They can be broadly divided into
five categories.
Visual– The chalkboard, the
content book or additional
reference material and display
boards in the class are primary
instructional resources. The
chalkboard work needs to
be planned in advance and
organised well. Using a roller
board or charts can be a time
saver. Graphic organisers,
I dream and work for a tomorrow wherein
there is less baggage on students’
shoulders and there is a marked shift from
the factory model of education to a more
meaningful model based on agricultural
principles. I am a firm believer in
revolutionizing ‘Early Childhood Education’
and professionalizing its teaching and also
presented a paper in a UNICEF sponsored
conference on the the same theme organised by Azim Premji
University and AECED. I am currently experimenting with blending
various forms of Arts into learning. In addition to being a teaching
professional, I am also a storyteller and a theatre art teacher. I
write short stories using the pseudonym Sitara on Readomania and
Storyweaver. I presently teach at Delhi Public School, Vijayawada
and can be reached at englishteacher.dps@gmail.com
Given below are examples of tools and their usage during any of the elements or components of a lesson plan.
Subject Element Topic/Concept
Age and
Level
English Induction Tenses 11 to 13
- Middle
graders
Geography Evaluation Metallic
mineral
reserves in
India
Math Modelling Mensuration
Science Induction States of
matter
14 to 15
– High
schoolers
13 to 14
– Middle
graders
8 to 10 –
Primary
Description
globes, maps, posters, practical
demonstration of experiments are
tools that appeal to the visual
sense.
Auditory– Radio, CD players
activate the hearing sense
and develop listening skills.
Such tools are mostly used in
languages or literature classes.
Audio-Visual– These tools can
be used to teach Sciences, Maths,
Social Science and languages
too. Working models, theorems,
concepts related to geography
can be taught well using the
support of Audio-Visual tools.
Visual–tactile– These materials
are primarily used at pre-school
or kindergarten levels. Pupils see
and touch things to understand
concepts. For example textures,
Audio – Visual tool – Teacher uses the video of
a celebrity who speaks about his/her daily diet
and exercise regime. She/he narrates in Simple
Present tense.
Visual – Kinesthetic – Maps are handed out to
students. They mark the places where metallic
mineral resources are found in India.
Visual - Origami/Paper folding – This art or
technique can be used to explain concepts of
mensuration
Visual - Solid objects, liquids, a balloon, etc can
be shown before beginning each concept viz.
Solid, liquid, gas
patterns, shapes can be taught
using tools pertaining to the
visual-tactile sense.
Visual–Kinesthetic– In this
category, students get an
opportunity to see the material
and use them. It could be printed
or pictorial resources. Students
may sit individually or in groups
to work on them or they may
also move about. For example
– map work can be done sitting
in a place. A math relay involves
movement of the body to learn a
concept.
What is the criterion for
selection of instructional
tools?
Instructional tools are said to be
meaningful when they
• Assist in achieving
16 The Progressive Teacher Sep/Oct 2017