Learning support resources, charts, pictures

Learning support resource

Learning resources are books, videos, softwares and other materials that contain information that you can learn from, to help improve your knowledge. Before a learning resource is used in a classroom , it must be evaluated and approved at either the provincial or local level. Evaluation criteria may include curriculum fit, social considerations and age or developmental appropriateness. Chalk, board, duster, educational software, library and instructional materials are examples of learning resources. 

Principles of learning resources:

• It should suit age , maturity, intellectual level, motives and social environment of learners.

• It must be interesting, attention catching and motivating for the learner for getting fully absorbed in learning.

• It should recreate or provide variety in teaching.

•It should be simple enough so that a studentbcan understand it and enhance his learning.

Charts

A chart is a combination of pictorial, graphic, numerical or verbal material designed to present a clear summary. It is the useful way to present and display information or instruction, especially in a classroom or educational situation. The content should be relevant, suitable to the mental level of learners, bold, sufficiently large and attractive. It should not be over crowded with facts. Charts for English teaching can be of various types- say charts showing words belonging to different parts of speech, charts showing the various forms of same words, charts showing poets belonging to literary schools etc. For classroom purposes there are mainly four groups of charts. They are:

Outline and tabular charts

Flow, organised and process charts

Tree charts

Time line charts

Outline and tabular charts:  The organisation of the content into an outline of key point and subpoints which a teacher may present systematically on the chalkboard result in a useful chart form. For example , a chart can show items such as various parts of speech, various tense forms of a verb etc. Tabular charts, as the name implies, present information as tables, the points to be stressed being presented in rows and columns, to suit the situation depicted. 

Flow, organised or process charts:  Items such as periodic changes in the various forms of literature can be the subject of a flow chart.

Tree chart:  As the name suggest, tree chart is in the form of a tree with a base comprised of several roots and a single trunk, the branches of which, represent development and relationship. For example, such a chart is suitable for showing the various categories of poem that emerged at various times.

Time-line charts: Time lines are helpful for summarising sequences of events for making chronological comparison of similar developments in various countries. For example, wheat production of different countries during the period 1990-2000 can be easily represented in a time-line chart.

Pictures

A good picture is worth more than thousand words. It attracts attention of the learner. Picture can be used for teaching words, structure, composition and for creating situation. The pictures should be relevant, suitable to the mental level of learners, bold, sufficiently large and attractive.