teaching aids and teaching materials presentation

Teaching aids and Instructional materials: tools for teachers and students

Aditya Shukla  |  July 3, 2024 May 12, 2018  |  Disclaimer: Links to some products earn us a commission

Home » Learning » Teaching aids and Instructional materials: tools for teachers and students

Psychologists, designers, educationalists, and many professors around the world work on improving the quality of education because a lot depends on the education of a whole generation. The resources a teacher uses while teaching play a role in how students learn. Motivation, stimulation, retention, interest, actionable learning, etc., can vary per resource.

I’ll be covering how the teachers of tomorrow can leverage digital interactions and technology to facilitate learning. Traditionally speaking, we are talking about teaching aids and instructional materials.

First, why do Teaching aids and Instructional materials help in education? The short answer is – fun, engagement, curiosity, and sensory interactions improve learning, memory, and understanding. The long answer is here.

What are Teaching Aids?

What are instructional materials.

• Key differences between Teaching aids and Instructional materials

Examples of effective learning resources according to subject matter delivered via traditional Teaching Aids or Internet Communication Technologies

Benefits of teaching aids and instructional materials, teaching aids and instructional materials.

From a 21st-century, post-pandemic, and post-chatGPT point of view, teaching aids and instructional materials can be considered as “learning and teaching resources” for a hybrid online-offline educational setting powered by humans and technology. They are now mostly screens and computers connected via the internet (teaching aids) and educational media (instructional materials). Technological changes have merged the concepts of teaching aids & instructional materials in ways that old definitions did not foresee. Together, the entire ecosystem of tools that deliver and process information are called Internet and Communication Technologies (ICTs). But let’s look at this from a simple, traditional point of view first.

Teaching aids (TAs):  Teaching aids are objects (such as a book, picture, or map) or devices (such as a whiteboard or computer) used by a teacher to enhance or enliven classroom instruction (Merriam-Webster). They could be audiovisual teaching aids such as videos and guest lectures or tactile like 3D models.

Instructional materials (IMs):  Instructional materials are defined as resources that organize and support instruction, such as textbooks, tasks, and supplementary resources (adapted from Remillard & Heck, 2014). It refers to the human and non-human materials and facilities that can be used to ease, encourage, improve and promote teaching and learning activities. They are whatever materials used in the process of instruction (IGI global). The great Soviet encyclopedia defines IMs as educational resources used to improve students’ knowledge, abilities, and skills, to monitor their assimilation of information, and to contribute to their overall development and upbringing.

Broadly speaking, any device, method, or system that helps to teach can be called a teaching aid. These devices can be traditional items such as blackboards and flannel boards, as well as electronic devices such as tablets and projectors. Scientific tools such as telescopes and microscopes could also be used as teaching aids in a given context. Two overarching common factors between most teaching aids are: mediums that promote sensory engagement and stimulation .

Examples based on classification systems: 

Classification 1

Non-electronic – Chalkboards, flip boards, slates, print photos & media, telescopes

Electronic/digital – Computers, mobiles, clicker devices, internet-powered apps, PowerPoint slideshows, Augmented reality/Virtual reality goggles, AV-room equipment, music/art-based content delivery

Classification 2

Auditory: Radios, tape recorders, CD players (now redundant)

Visual: Slides, projectors, digital screens (now mostly digital screens only)

Audiovisual : Youtube, Reels (yes, they are helpful), Ted Talks, Live stream apps, documentary repositories, Instagram guides/stories, and TikTok

Audiovisual and tactile : 3D models, field visits, toys, lab apparatus, plant/animal/rock specimens

Collaborative/Social: Online classrooms, forums, Facebook pages, Quora spaces, subreddits, special interest group discussions, virtual meetups, study and support groups, websites that allow collaboration, score/progress tracking websites, feedback websites, artificial intelligence as a collaboration tool

Internet and Communication Technology tools: Software infrastructure that provides analytics, organization of material, note-taking apps, productivity apps, repository of lessons in an app, content management systems, chatGPT , and other artificial intelligence systems

Instructional materials are those items that assist and describe the information aspect of teaching. These could take the form of textbooks, worksheets, 3D models, charts, infographics, etc.

Instructional materials also include assessment and testing methods. Basically, any material, any information containing resources, that the teacher uses while instructing. Now testing materials don’t necessarily contain information, but they help the retention and learning of information; thus, they are instructional materials. Sometimes, they are a means to an end, the end being the assimilation of information.

Classification

Traditional resources: lectures, talks, writings, project rubrics, guidelines, textbook primers, reference books, extra-readings, teacher and student-created summaries, workbooks, supplementary material such as flashcards and charts

Digital media: Explainer videos, photos, presentations, infographics, talking-head videos, audio summaries, podcasts

Open resources: Expert blogs, open-source journals, public databases, open courseware, forum discussions, memes

Testing resources: Standardized tests, classroom assignments, online submissions, quizzes, essays, collaborative projects

Artificial intelligence (large language models): Artificial intelligence, like chatGPT, a large language model, is trained on vast amounts of collective human knowledge. It has a conversational, troubleshooting, and explanatory approach to information delivery. Technically, students can use AI systems as a teacher to supplement human teachers.

Note: When teachers say they will use a “visual aid,” like a video describing a concept, the visual aid is instructional material, not a teaching aid. At least, based on historical approaches.

Key differences between Teaching aids and Instructional materials 

As you’ll see in this article, TAs and IMs work together to reach teaching goals. However, the traditional separation of TAs and IMs is superficial and needs revision. It breaks down based on who uses a specific tool and how it is used. Dictionaries don’t define Instructional materials clearly. The term “instructional material” is largely restricted to the literature on specific pedagogies. In fact, the term ‘Instructional materials’ is used in the context of reaching course-based learning goals. IMs are specifically designed to align with learning objectives and outcomes. Whereas, teaching aids are not always designed to meet course-based goals. You might have guessed – the same object can be a TA or an IM.

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The main difference between TA and IMs is: A TA is used as a delivery method that can be applied to any context. An IM is subject-specific and contains information within itself.

Example 1: A teacher is using a book in the class; each student has a copy.

If a book is used as a course-prescribed resource, it is an instructional material. If the book is a student engagement activity (reading and discussing a story to build vocabulary) and isn’t a part of the syllabus, it would function as a teaching aid.

Example 2: You are studying algae under a microscope.

A microscope would be an instructional material if a course-based learning goal is ‘using a microscope to study microscopic entities.’ However, a microscope would be a teaching aid for a theory class on algae. A teacher could use one to show students what it looks like in order to engage the class in learning about algae.

Traditionally speaking, teaching aids have been thought of as devices that can be used – white and blackboards, computers, calculators, projectors, slideshows, tape recordings, television, etc. Teaching aids are tools that help the delivery of information. A TA isn’t information, or to put it in a different way, information is not directly embedded in a TA. But IMs  often  have information embedded in them. Resource books, worksheets, graphs, etc., are all IMs because of this embedding. However, tools such as microscopes are IMs if students are learning what microscopes are.

Sometimes, graphical media can be used as both – infographics could be a teaching aid if they help but not core teaching resources, or they can be embedded within a book or used as a way to summarize a larger concept directly. Digital media is often considered an Instructional material because the information is embedded in it, and it needs planning for educational use. This planning is eventually integrated into the coursework as a learning activity.

An incredible amount of learning takes place online . That’s why teachers have redesigned & repurposed their content for online delivery.

Best Online Learning Resources for Psychology

Teaching aids, Instructional material, and resources for the digital learning sphere

Many decades ago, TAs and IMs were focused on classroom activities. However, the very definition of the classroom has changed. The world has moved online, which is now a valid alternative method of conducting educational activities. Lectures are presented via ZOOM, Skype, and Microsoft Meets. Most notes are provided digitally. A typical class appears on a screen as a collection of students and teachers. What materials and aids work in such a situation? What are the unique problems of such classes that TA & IMs can solve?

• Most students are very familiar with searching for supplemental material on the Internet. Most prominently, students use Wikipedia, chatGPT, professional YouTube channels like In a nutshell, Sci-show, Veritasium, Numberphile, and CGP gray, Reddit (asking questions, finding sources, discussing), and additional independent content offered by courses on Coursera, Udemy, and Khan Academy. Many students even run their blogs to show what they learn and jot down notes. Some make creative videos and run podcasts. These are all self-motivated alternatives to the use of TAs and IMs. These work because millennial and gen Z students prefer autonomy and control in how they learn. They are intrinsically motivated because they have the choice to choose how they learn. Teachers can facilitate this and tap into this autonomy. Teachers can also curate these resources for students based on their preferences and learning goals.
• The search for content online taps into our “ transactive memory .” A novel problem of internet-based learning is the potential to forget what you learn because we remember where to find information better than what the information is ( The Google Effect ). Many students can now take the time to look for information because they are good at it. Knowing this, many don’t feel the value in remembering it. However, remembering information is a necessary condition to make it “intuitive.”
• There are a number of tools that can be used to present information via audio and video. Online tools like graph generators, graphic designing software, coding platforms, podcast notes, qualitative and quantitative research tools like NVivo and python, etc., are alternative digital TAs. Online content sources (audio & video), discussion threads, e-books, and curated lists are alternatives to Instructional materials. The largest advantage of this is an increase in the diversity of thoughts and informational sources – a clear predictor of quality learning.
• Depending on what students have to learn and what teachers are willing to teach, any aspect of browsing the internet can be a potential TA or IM. For example, browsing Amazon for learning about user experience and e-commerce works as a TA and IM. Most pages on the internet are densely connected to other pages and because of intimate familiarity with the internet, it is possible to explore and learn.

Brain-Based Learning: Theory, Strategies, And Concepts

• Conceptual knowledge requires examples, familiarity with the concept’s features, contexts, and engagement/experience. These tools directly help.
• Some academic subjects like biology or electronics can benefit students in more useful ways if they know what the real-world counterparts to a theory are – circuits, a tissue under a microscope, plants, etc. Such information sticks longer because the memory encoding for these concepts involves strong sensory and experiential components. The brain acquires concepts with multiple representations in a network- right from what the concept looks like on paper to how it feels to the senses. 
• Using YouTube videos and discussing Ted talks puts dense information in a familiar context. YouTube is a part of human culture, and so are memes; putting information in the context of the internet culture can motivate or change the perception of the so-called ‘boring’ topics. 
• IMs and TAs also motivate students at the level of the classroom. This goes hand in hand with confidence (security that one can learn), as having materials is proof of accessing information. Having access can, at the very least, prime students to learn. 
• Relying on general information on the internet can overwhelm students due to an inherent lack of direction and potential misinformation. This problem can be solved by designing IMs as an anchor for a topic, using authority references, summarizing content, or priming content like video overviews and infographics.
• The cost of implementing TAs and IMs is not trivial. However, improved teaching efficacy and learning efficacy can significantly lower the burden of learning course content. Based on a currently unpublished survey I ran with a client, the primary need of teachers is read-to-consume lessons so teachers don’t have to produce new instructional materials for every class. Teachers may save time, students may require less effort to achieve learning goals, and primary organizational resources would be better managed (man-hours to pay for, classroom upkeep, scheduling). And even if it does cost the organization a little more, better learning would probably always be worth it. 
• Testing and assessment not only help to confirm the learning of content but also help improve the learning. Research has shown that being tested (the testing effect) can promote memory and conceptual understanding. Attempting worksheet exercises, quizzes, essays, etc., reinforces learning and creates a hub for further self-motivated learning.
• At the superficial level and the definition level, who wouldn’t want a lively class and learning experience? 

TAs and IMs will work even better if they are aligned with brain-based learning concepts . These concepts are a framework for teaching that aligns with how the brain processes information. If TAs and IMs hijack these processes or even reinforce them, the growth in learning would be dramatic.

Other articles you might find useful:

• Study habits for teachers to teach and students to use
• Inquiry-based learning: viability, research, and methods
• How to learn anything efficiently
• Deliberate creative thinking using construal levels
• How to improve math education
• How students should learn psychology
• Bad study habits teachers should discourage students from having

By fully utilizing these resources, you, as a teacher or a learning facilitator, can make your lessons rich and fun for your students!

Acknowledgements

Special thanks to my friend Prerna Gaikwad, an English Language Teacher from Pune, India, who helped create this article. I wrote this post after detailed discussions with her on how teachers can strategically improvise their teaching method to optimize the quality of learning and help students, especially the ones who need additional support to gain mastery.

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Hey! Thank you for reading; hope you enjoyed the article. I run Cognition Today to paint a holistic picture of psychology. My content here is referenced and featured in NY Times, Forbes, CNET, Entrepreneur, Lifehacker, about 15 books, academic courses, and 100s of research papers.

I’m a full-time psychology SME consultant and I work part-time with Myelin, an EdTech company. I’m also currently an overtime impostor in the AI industry. I’m attempting (mostly failing) to solve AI’s contextual awareness problem from the cognitive perspective.

I’ve studied at NIMHANS Bangalore (positive psychology), Savitribai Phule Pune University (clinical psychology), Fergusson College (BA psych), and affiliated with IIM Ahmedabad (marketing psychology).

I’m based in Pune, India. Love Sci-fi, horror media; Love rock, metal, synthwave, and K-pop music; can’t whistle; can play 2 guitars at a time.

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17 thoughts on “Teaching aids and Instructional materials: tools for teachers and students”

please may you help me on how you can employ teaching aids in teaching style on the Caucasian chalk circle by Bertolt Breatch

what are the uses of instructional material

What instructional materials are useful in teaching mathematics?

How do I cite this your work? (APA) Thanks so much

Shukla, A. (2019, October 22). Teaching aids and Instructional materials- tools for teachers and students. Retrieved November 30, 2019, from https://cognitiontoday.com/teaching-aids-and-instructional-materials-tools-for-teachers-and-students/ .

This should work.

How you make use of teaching aids in lesson?

What are the teaching aids use to make the role play lesson more meaningful to the students? Explain briefly how use of them in lesson.

Hey, thanks for taking an interest in this concept. For roleplaying, props, immediate environment, student’s psychological status, and student’s participation is important. I’d use multiple items which are symbolic of some important aspect in the role-playing & develop a context which student’s find relatable. You can use regular classroom objects as props. But where is what I think would make things more meaningful for students.

Plan ahead. Announce that there is a role-play lesson and ask student’s to prepare materials or bring props. This will get them to anticipate the lesson, build some excitement, and involve themselves. You can plan this with the student’s inputs.

What are the teaching aids use to make the role play lesson more meaningful?

What are the criterion for selection of teaching aids in mathematics.Please help

Hey Basira, when it comes to mathematics, it is important to focus on a number of things simultaneously like conceptual clarity, logical steps, formulas, worked examples, comparison between similar concepts, etc. So teaching aids which can address these will be useful. It’ll be even more useful if students can interact with these TAs and refer to them as and when needed.For example, pascals triangle, trigonometric values, 3D models of shapes + geometric formulas, charts with graphs of various functions. Research also shows that math learning can improve when similar related problems are given one after the other. In this case, guidelines on how to approach those problems can also function as a teaching aid. Perhaps an empty grid on a chalkboard would be a good teaching aid if the lessons require organizing information in a grid.

If you wish to apply these teaching aids and make it economical, you could recruit students to help build these teaching aids as a class project. Do share the nature of lessons for which you need teaching aids, I can then make more precise recommendations. Hope this helps.

what are differences between instructional media and instructional communication

Hey Peter, instructional communication is human communication and non-humsn systems of communication which follow a structured approach with respect to teaching and training. Instructional communication is human-centric – students and teachers. Instructional communication also aims to understand and utilize all sorts of communication relationships between students, teachers, peers, assistants, etc. It refers to an ecosystem of how information is delivered (how instruction is communicated to others), talked about, and personal characteristics of all people involved. For example, a teachers style of teaching and conversational tone can be a unique type of instructional communication. A teacher who gives out bullet points and then tells stories which highlight each point can also be a unique type of instructional communication.

Instructional media is not dependent on humans – video lectures, slideshows, cheat-sheets, etc. These are tools which assist teaching and learning.

can you explain me how can we use instructional materials in teaching social sciences. Example: how can we use charts, presentations, 3D models , textbooks in teaching social sciences.

It gets a little complicated when we use instructional materials for social sciences. Unlike, the basic sciences, there aren’t too many standardized models, equipment and tools.

However, here are some starting points:

History/politics – heatmap charts over time in video format or static format, timeline charts, graphics, videos Psychology – Brain models, experimental set-ups

Presentations can be used for all topics but the contents really depend. If you want instructional materials to deliver or reinforce your lecture content, presentations need to capture fundamentals, global highlights, quick facts, questions to ponder, etc. It’ll also be useful to map textbook references & pages along with keywords to charts, videos, and presentations.

Please do give me a detailed context so I can answer better!

I got every information for which I was searching for…thank you

You are most welcome! Glad you did!

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What Are Teaching Aids? Types, Objectives & Examples

What Are Teaching Aids?

6 types of teaching aids, importance of teaching aids, classification of teaching aids, 7 objectives of teaching aids, 6 examples of teaching aids, embracing the journey of learning with teaching aids.

Imagine being in a classroom where the teacher only speaks, and there are no pictures, no videos, and no exciting activities. Boring, right? Well, that’s where teaching aids come to the rescue! Teaching aids are special helpers that teachers use to explain things better. They are like superheroes that make learning more exciting and understandable for all of us. These aids include simple things like pictures, drawings , or even cool videos and audio.

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Think about it – when someone shows you a picture or tells you a story, don’t you remember it better than just hearing plain words? That’s the power of teaching aids! They help us remember things for a long time and make learning a fantastic adventure. They make boring subjects exciting and tricky topics super easy. Using teaching aids, our teachers can explain complex stuff in a way that makes us go, “Aha! Now I get it!”

Teaching aids come in all shapes and sizes. Some show us colorful pictures to understand new ideas. Others play sweet music or interesting sounds to make learning joyful. And there are even some teaching aids you can touch and feel – like holding a dinosaur model to learn about these fascinating creatures!

In this blog, we’ll explore different types of teaching aids, from cool pictures and fun videos to amazing hands-on activities. We’ll also see how these aids can help us understand tough subjects, remember important information, and become super learners!

“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” – Nelson Mandela

Teaching aids are special tools that teachers use to make learning exciting and understandable for all of us. They are like friendly guides that show us things visually, through sounds, or even by letting us touch and feel objects. Imagine you’re learning about animals, and your teacher shows you a big, colorful poster with pictures of different animals. You can see how they look, their names, and where they live. That’s a teaching aid in action – helping you understand and remember information better!

These aids come in various forms. Some are visual aids, like colorful charts, diagrams, and photographs. They help us see and understand complex concepts better, just like looking at a treasure map helps us find our way in an adventure!

Then we have audio aids, like music or interesting recordings. They create a delightful atmosphere for learning, just like how your favorite song lifts your mood and makes you happy.

And there are tactile aids too! We can touch and feel these objects, like models, tangible objects, or even interactive learning materials. Remember how touching and feeling things make you curious and excited? Tactile aids do just that – they make learning a hands-on experience!

These aids are like magic wands that make learning more exciting and memorable. They help us understand tricky topics, remember important facts, and enjoy gaining knowledge. 

“Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn.” – Benjamin Franklin

Teachers use various tools to make learning a delightful experience. Now that we know what are teaching aids, let’s explore the different types of these aids that bring colorful visuals, catchy sounds, and hands-on experiences to our classrooms. From visual aids with colorful pictures to interactive gadgets and teacher-created wonders, each type has its unique way of making learning fun and effective! 

1. Visual Aids

Visual aids are like colorful pictures and diagrams that show us information in a way that’s easy to understand. Imagine learning about the solar system and seeing a big poster with all the planets and their names – it’s much easier than just reading about them in a book, right? That’s the power of visual aids!

2. Audio Aids

Audio aids are like our favorite songs or interesting recordings that create a joyful atmosphere for learning. They help us remember information with a fun twist. Like a catchy tune that stays in our heads, audio aids make learning enjoyable and memorable.

3. Tactile Aids

Tactile aids are objects we can touch and feel, making learning a hands-on experience. For example, when studying the human body, holding a model of the heart in our hands helps us understand how it works better. Tactile aids make learning exciting by letting us explore with our sense of touch.

4. Interactive Aids

Interactive aids are like cool gadgets that allow us to actively participate in learning. They can be educational apps , quizzes, or fun games that challenge our minds. Interactive aids turn learning into an adventure where we get to be the hero!

One powerful interactive aid that educators can explore and add to their arsenal is SplashLearn . It not only offers a wide range of interactive games and worksheets that challenge students’ minds but also incorporates a cutting-edge algorithm. The algorithm analyzes students’ performance data, identifies strengths and weaknesses, and tailors personalized learning paths for each student.

5. Real-Life Aids

Real-life aids are things we encounter in our everyday lives that help us learn. For instance, when we visit a zoo and see the animals up close, we’re learning through real-life aids. These experiences bring learning to life and make it more meaningful.

6. Teacher-Created Aids

Sometimes, our teachers come up with creative classroom aids. It could be a handmade chart, a unique game, or even a fun skit to explain a concept. Teacher-created aids show how much they care about our learning and make the classroom special.

Each type of teaching aid has its superpower in making learning exciting and effective. They work together like a team, helping us explore the world of knowledge in the most enjoyable ways possible. So, whether it’s through colorful pictures, catchy tunes, touchable objects, interactive games, real-life experiences, or our teachers’ creativity, teaching aids are always here to make our learning adventure unforgettable! 

Teaching aids are magical companions on our learning journey, making education an exciting adventure. They bring fun and wonder to the classroom while enhancing our understanding and retention of important information. Studies have shown the incredible impact of teaching aids on academic performance. For instance, research found that online teaching aids like videos and interactive simulations improved student understanding and retention of complex subjects like physics. The study revealed that students who used such aids scored 23% higher on tests than those who did not. With teaching aids by our side, we soar higher in our academic achievements!

“The mediocre teacher tells. The good teacher explains. The superior teacher demonstrates. The great teacher inspires.” – William Arthur Ward

As we explore further, let’s find more reasons why teaching aids are indispensable tools for every learner. 

1. Making Learning Fun

Teaching aids have a superpower – they turn boring lessons into exciting adventures! With colorful visuals, interactive games, and catchy sounds, learning becomes a joyous ride. It’s like exploring a treasure trove of knowledge with a big smile on our faces!

2. Understanding Complex Concepts

Sometimes, understanding tricky topics can feel like solving a puzzle . That’s when teaching aids step in to save the day! They simplify complex ideas through visuals and hands-on experiences, making them easy to grasp. Suddenly, the difficulty becomes doable!

3. Boosting Memory Power

Ever wonder how you still remember that catchy tune you heard ages ago? Teaching aids work the same magic! They create memorable moments that stick in our minds for a long time. As we see, hear, and touch, our memory powers up like a superhero!

4. Supporting Different Learning Styles

Just like our unique ways of doing things, we have different learning styles too. Some of us are visual learners who love pictures, while others are auditory learners who enjoy listening. These aids cater to all styles, ensuring everyone feels included and successful.

5. Fostering Creativity and Curiosity

Imagine a world without questions and exploration – how dull would that be? Teaching aids encourage our creativity by sparking curiosity. Our imagination takes flight when we touch, feel, and interact with them.

6. Engaging the Mind and Body

Sitting still and listening all day can be tiring, right? Teaching aids come to the rescue by involving both our minds and bodies. We think, move, and learn actively, like superheroes on a mission!

Teaching aids are more than just tools; they are our partners in the education adventure. They light up our minds, fuel our curiosity, and make us believe that learning is our greatest superpower!

Teaching aids come in different varieties. Let’s explore the various categories of these amazing tools that add magic to our education. From traditional to modern aids, visual to tactile, and real-life to virtual experiences, each category has its unique charm. 

1. Traditional vs. Modern Aids

Teaching aids have been our trusted companions for a long time, but they’ve evolved over the years. Traditional aids, like colorful charts and educational games , are the classic ones we’ve always loved. On the other hand, modern aids are like high-tech wizards, with interactive whiteboards and digital apps that make learning super cool!

2. Teacher-made vs. Commercially Available Aids

Sometimes, our teachers become creative and design their own aids. These are teacher-made aids, and they’re full of love and care. Then there are commercially available aids, like books and educational software, created by experts to add even more magic to our learning journey.

3. Visual, Audio, and Tactile Aids

Remember our three magical friends – visual aids, audio aids, and tactile aids? Each has its superpower! Visual aids use pictures and diagrams to show us things better. Audio aids bring joy and excitement with catchy sounds and music. And tactile aids let us touch and feel the wonder of learning!

4. Real-Life and Virtual Aids

Teaching aids can also be real-life experiences or virtual adventures! When we visit a zoo to learn about animals, it’s a real-life aid. But exploring the wonders of space through an online simulation is a virtual aid that takes us on an out-of-this-world journey!

5. Individual vs. Group Aids

Teaching aids can be designed for individual learning or group activities . Individual aids help us learn independently, like solving math problems with interactive quizzes. Group aids unite us like a super team, encouraging teamwork and collaboration!

No matter their category, all teaching aids have one common mission – to make learning the best adventure ever! They support, inspire, and bring out the hero in each of us as we conquer new knowledge and challenges.

Teaching aids have a special mission – to make our learning adventure exciting and unforgettable! These magical tools have superhero objectives that simplify complex ideas, stimulate our senses, and foster creativity. Let’s explore how teaching aids empower us to become unstoppable learners on this thrilling educational journey!

1. Simplifying Complex Ideas

Teaching aids are like translators that turn tricky concepts into simple, understandable language. They break down big ideas into bite-sized pieces, so we can quickly grasp and remember them. It’s like turning a challenging puzzle into a fun game !

2. Creating Engaging Learning Experiences

Learning can be like a rollercoaster ride with ups and downs. But teaching aids transform it into an exciting amusement park! They bring joy, excitement, and curiosity to our studies, making us eager to explore and discover new things.

3. Stimulating Multiple Senses

Teaching aids are like magical potions that awaken all our senses. They engage our eyes with colorful visuals, our ears with catchy sounds, and even let us touch and feel the subject. By involving all our senses, learning becomes a multisensory adventure!

4. Enhancing Understanding and Memory

Ever had a favorite story that stays with you forever? That’s what teaching aids do! They create memorable experiences that stick in our minds, making learning more effective. With these aids, we become memory superheroes!

5. Encouraging Active Participation

In the classroom, we’re not just listeners; we’re learners! These aids invite us to be active participants in our education. Whether it’s solving puzzles, conducting experiments, or role-playing, we’re the heroes of our learning journey!

6. Fostering Creativity and Critical Thinking

Imagine our minds as magical gardens, blooming with ideas. These aids in watering our creativity and nurturing our critical thinking skills . They inspire us to ask questions, explore possibilities, and become superheroes of innovation!

7. Catering to Diverse Learning Styles

Just like we have unique superpowers, we have different learning styles too. These aids understand and embrace our individuality. Whether we’re visual, auditory, or kinesthetic learners , there’s a perfect aid to match our style! 

These aids are our sidekicks on the quest for knowledge. They support us, empower us, and make learning a thrilling adventure. With their superhero objectives, using these aids can transform the ordinary into the extraordinary and make us unstoppable learners!

Now that we know the objectives of teaching aids let’s explore some real-life champions that bring these objectives to life! These examples will show us how these aids can make learning an extraordinary experience.

1. Storybooks and Picture Charts

Imagine flipping through a colorful storybook that takes you on a thrilling adventure. Storybooks are fantastic aids that make reading a joy and ignite our imagination. Picture charts, with their captivating visuals, help us easily understand new concepts. They’re like treasure maps that guide us through the world of knowledge!

2. Educational Videos and Animations

Lights, camera, action! Educational videos and animations are like mini-movies that bring learning to life. Watching a video on history or science is much more exciting than reading a long paragraph. These aids add a touch of magic to our lessons and make us feel like we’re in the front row of a movie theater!

3. Interactive Apps and Games

Who said learning can’t be fun and games? Interactive apps and educational games turn boring subjects into thrilling challenges. Solving math puzzles or exploring historical events in a game setting makes us feel like heroes on a grand quest!

4. Model Kits and Hands-On Activities

Get ready to roll up your sleeves and dive into hands-on fun! Model kits and hands-on activities let us touch, feel, and experiment. From building a volcano to creating a solar system model, these aids make us scientists, artists, and adventurers all at once!

5. Educational Shows and Podcasts

Lights out, speakers on – it’s time for a show! Educational shows and podcasts entertain and educate us with fascinating stories and intriguing facts. Listening to an exciting podcast on space exploration is like having an intergalactic adventure in our room!

6. Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality

Put on your virtual reality goggles, and step into a world beyond your imagination! Virtual and augmented reality take us on extraordinary journeys, whether exploring ancient civilizations or diving into the deep sea. It’s like having a magic portal to another dimension!

These teaching aid examples are just a glimpse of the incredible variety in the world of education. They turn learning into an exciting quest and empower us to discover knowledge like superheroes! 

As we conclude our journey through the world of teaching aids, we stand in awe of their magical impact on our learning adventure. From engaging storybooks and interactive videos to captivating educational games and hands-on activities, these aids have proven our superhero allies in the quest for knowledge.

Research reveals the remarkable influence of educational technology , with schools implementing tools like interactive whiteboards and multimedia content experiencing a substantial 16% increase in test scores compared to those without such technology. This statistic emphasizes the crucial role of these aids in enhancing academic performance.

Through teaching aids, learning becomes a joyous exploration where complex ideas transform into simple revelations. They cater to diverse learning styles, stimulate our senses, and encourage active participation. With these aids as our companions, our educational journey will forever be filled with excitement, curiosity, and the thrill of discovery.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What are some cost-effective teaching aids for resource-constrained schools.

Cost-effective teaching aid examples for resource-constrained schools include homemade visual aids, low-cost models, and repurposed materials.

Are teaching aids equally effective for students of all age groups?

Yes, these aids can be effective for students of all age groups, as they cater to diverse learning styles and engage students in various ways.

How can teaching aids be adapted for students with disabilities or special needs?

Classroom aids can be adapted for students with disabilities or special needs by using tactile materials, audio descriptions, and assistive technology tools. Individualized support and modifications can enhance accessibility.

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Teaching Aids & Instructional Materials: Meaning, Examples, Differences & Benefits

This article breaks down the meaning, differences, type and examples of teaching aids and instructional materials. Sadly, some tutors confuse these 2 terms and apply them wrong.

Upon reading this article carefully, you should be able to differentiate between teaching aids and instructional materials, meaning, examples as well as benefits of applying both where needed.

What are Teaching Aids?    

Teaching aids are materials or tools that are used by teachers to enhance the teaching and learning process. They can be visual, auditory, or kinesthetic in nature, and can be used to reinforce a concept, clarify a complex idea, or stimulate interest in a particular subject.

Teaching aids are more connected to the teacher because it aids him or her in passing knowledge easily to the pupils.

10 common types of teaching aids include:    

• Whiteboards and markers
• Chalkboards and chalk
• Computer projectors and PowerPoint presentations
• Videos and DVDs
• Charts and graphs
• Flashcards and posters
• Models and manipulatives
• Interactive whiteboards
• Audio recordings and music
• Whiteboards and markers: Whiteboards and markers are a common teaching aid used in classrooms and other learning environments. A whiteboard is a smooth, glossy surface that can be written on with dry-erase markers, which can be easily erased with a cloth or eraser
• Chalkboards and chalk: Chalkboards and chalk are traditional teaching aids that have been used for many years in classrooms. A chalkboard is a flat surface that can be written on with chalk, which is a soft, white stick made of compressed gypsum or calcium carbonate
• Overhead projectors and transparencies: Overhead projectors and transparencies are another common teaching aid that has been widely used in classrooms. An overhead projector is a device that projects images onto a screen or wall from a transparent film or sheet, called a transparency, that has been placed on the projector’s surface.
• Computer projectors and PowerPoint presentations: Computer projectors and PowerPoint presentations have become increasingly popular as teaching aids in recent years. A computer projector is a device that projects the images from a computer onto a screen or wall, allowing the teacher to display text, images, and videos to the class. PowerPoint is a software program developed by Microsoft that allows users to create multimedia presentations.
• Videos and DVDs: Videos and DVDs are another common teaching aid used in classrooms and other learning environments. They can be used to present visual and auditory content to students, making the learning experience more engaging and memorable.
• Charts and graphs: Charts and graphs are commonly used visual aids in teaching, particularly in subjects such as math, science, and social studies. Charts and graphs can be used to represent data, trends, and relationships in a visually appealing and easy-to-understand format
• Flashcards and posters: Flashcards and posters are commonly used teaching aids in classrooms, particularly in language learning and early childhood education. Flashcards are small cards with information on them that can be used to teach vocabulary, grammar, and other concepts. Posters are larger visuals that can be used to display information and reinforce concepts.
• Models and manipulatives: Models and manipulatives are teaching aids that provide a hands-on approach to learning. Models are three-dimensional representations of objects, while manipulatives are objects that can be physically manipulated by learners. These teaching aids can be used in a variety of subjects, such as science, math, and art.
• Interactive whiteboards: Interactive whiteboards are an advanced form of traditional whiteboards that allow for a more interactive and engaging learning experience. They are electronic displays that can be connected to a computer or tablet, and allow users to interact with digital content using a special pen or their fingers.
• Audio recordings and music: Audio recordings and music are commonly used teaching aids in classrooms and other learning environments. They can be used to present information and reinforce concepts in a way that is engaging and memorable for students.

Teaching aids can be an effective way to engage students and make learning more interactive and enjoyable. They can help students to understand concepts more easily and can also cater to different learning styles, such as visual or auditory learners. However, it is important to use teaching aids in a way that enhances the learning experience, rather than relying on them too heavily or using them as a substitute for quality teaching.

Now you know what teaching aids are and the list of examples available.

Can we now read through instructional materials?

What are Instructional Materials?

Instructional materials are tools or resources that are used to facilitate teaching and learning. They can be physical, digital, or a combination of both, and can be used to support and supplement lessons and activities.

9 Examples of instructional materials include:

• Textbooks and workbooks
• Handouts and worksheets
• Online resources and e-books
• Interactive multimedia programs and simulations
• Learning management systems and online courses
• Games and puzzles
• Manipulatives and models
• Visual aids and diagrams
• Real-life objects and artifacts
• Audio recordings and podcasts
• Handouts and worksheets: Handouts and worksheets are commonly used teaching aids in classrooms, particularly in subjects such as math, language, and social studies. Handouts are sheets of paper with information or instructions on them that are distributed to students, while worksheets are similar but include exercises or activities to reinforce concepts.
• Online resources and e-books: Online resources and e-books are increasingly popular teaching aids that have become widely used in classrooms and other learning environments. Online resources can include websites, videos, interactive simulations, and online games, while e-books are electronic versions of printed books that can be accessed on computers, tablets, or e-readers.
• Interactive multimedia programs and simulations: These are advanced teaching aids and instructional material that provide an immersive and engaging learning experience. They are digital programs that combine text, images, video, and interactive elements to teach concepts and reinforce learning. Simulations are specifically designed to replicate real-world situations or processes in a controlled and safe environment.
• Learning management systems and online courses: These are modern teaching aids that provide an online platform for delivering educational content and managing student progress. LMSs can be used to deliver and manage traditional classroom-based courses, as well as fully online courses.
• Games and puzzles: These are another type of instructional that can be used to make learning more enjoyable and interactive. Games are activities that involve competition, while puzzles are activities that require problem-solving skills. They can be used in a variety of subjects, such as math, language, and social studies.
• Manipulatives and models: These are methods that aid teaching especially in the area of mathematics. This is an instructional material provide a hands-on approach to learning. Manipulatives are objects that can be physically manipulated by learners, while models are three-dimensional representations of objects.
• Visual aids and diagrams: This is an instructional material that provide a visual representation of information and concepts. They can help students understand complex information and make connections between ideas. Visual aids can include posters, charts, graphs, and diagrams, while diagrams can be used in subjects such as science, math, and language arts.
• Real-life objects and artifacts: This instructional material which also serves as a teaching aid helps bring the subject matter to life and make it more tangible for students. They can be used to provide a real-world context for learning and to help students understand the practical applications of what they are learning. Real-life objects can include items such as historical artifacts, natural specimens, and scientific instruments, while artifacts can be used in subjects such as social studies, science, and art.
• Audio recordings and podcasts: These are teaching aids and instructional materials for teachers that provide an auditory approach to learning. They can be used to present information and reinforce concepts in a way that is engaging and memorable for students. Audio recordings can include lectures, interviews, and storytelling, while podcasts are digital audio files that can be downloaded and listened to at any time.

Instructional materials can be used to introduce new concepts, reinforce learning, provide practice opportunities, and assess understanding. They can also help to accommodate different learning styles and needs, and make lessons more engaging and interactive. However, it is important to choose appropriate instructional materials that align with the learning objectives and cater to the needs of the learners, and to use them effectively and efficiently in the teaching and learning process.

Differences Between Teaching Aids and Instructional Materials

The terms “teaching aids” and “instructional materials” are often used interchangeably, but there is a subtle difference between the two.

Teaching aids are resources that are used by teachers to support the delivery of a lesson or activity. They are designed to enhance the learning experience by making it more engaging and interactive. Teaching aids can be visual, auditory, or kinesthetic in nature, and can include items such as whiteboards, charts, models, manipulatives, videos, and audio recordings.

Instructional materials, on the other hand, are resources that are used to facilitate learning. They are designed to provide information, instruction, and practice opportunities to learners. Instructional materials can be physical, digital, or a combination of both, and can include items such as textbooks, workbooks, handouts, online resources, multimedia programs, and games.

Benefits of Teaching Aids and Instructional Materials

Teaching aids and instructional materials can provide numerous benefits for both teachers and students. Here are some of the benefits:

• Enhanced learning: Using teaching aids and instructional materials can help students better understand and retain information by providing a more engaging and interactive learning experience.
• Improved student engagement: Teaching aids and instructional materials can capture students’ attention and make learning more enjoyable, leading to increased student engagement and participation.
• Personalized learning: Using teaching aids and instructional materials can allow for a more personalized learning experience, as students can work at their own pace and in their own preferred style.
• Differentiation: Teaching aids and instructional materials can be used to differentiate instruction for students with different learning styles and abilities.
• Increased motivation: Teaching aids and instructional materials can increase student motivation by providing a more tangible and practical approach to learning.
• Improved teacher efficiency: Teaching aids and instructional materials can help teachers deliver content more efficiently and effectively, freeing up time for other instructional activities.

Overall, teaching aids and instructional materials can provide a valuable supplement to traditional teaching methods, enhancing the learning experience and improving student outcomes.

In summary, teaching aids are resources used to support the teaching process, while instructional materials are resources used to facilitate the learning process. While there is some overlap between the two, teaching aids tend to be more focused on engaging and motivating learners, while instructional materials tend to be more focused on providing information and opportunities for practice.

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Blog Data Visualization 10 Types of Visual Aids in Teaching with Examples

10 Types of Visual Aids in Teaching with Examples

Written by: Sara McGuire Sep 28, 2018

Visual aids are any tools that use sight to communicate information. They can be anything from a simple picture to an elaborate animation.

In the realm of teaching, visual aids become powerful allies. Creating education visual aids takes abstract ideas and makes them concrete, aiding students in understanding and retaining information.

Visual aids for learning can also expand beyond the realm of just classroom posters and presentations. You can also visually enhance documents like student progress reports, lesson plans, and research reports.

Here are 10 types of visual aids for learning that will engage students and help you plan and deliver lessons more effectively. I’ve also included some education templates design tips to help you get started.

Click to jump ahead:

• Educational infographics to simplify complex information
• Creative presentations to keep students engaged with a lesson
• Educational charts to make data accessible
• Student assessment reports with an approachable design
• Research reports to make data and insights engaging
• School newsletters to get students, parents and teachers excited about events
• Lesson plans to help you stay organized and to inspire other educators
• Educational posters to inspire and remind students
• Classroom checklists to keep students, teachers and parents on track
• Education calendars to keep students, parents and teacher informed \

1. Educational infographics to simplify complex information

Infographics are a perfect classroom tool because they can make complex information easier to understand.

There are many different types of infographics you can create, depending on the information you want to visualize. For example, you could make an infographic to summarize a new topic , to show a timeline of events, to visualize statistics , to explain a process –and more.

For example, this educational infographic uses a combination of charts, icons and creative text to show statistics about teens and social media. Visuals aids like these can be helpful for students who have trouble wrapping their heads around big numbers.

The cool thing about infographics is that there’s so many approaches you can take to create one. And the design doesn’t have to be complicated–just effective.

Related: How to Create a Successful Employee Training and Development Program Using Visuals

For example, this infographic uses a pattern graphic design of colorful circles to represent different vitamins. Associating each vitamin with a color can help students remember each one.

In data visualization, color plays a bigger role than just for decoration. Color can also be used as a tool to visualize information. Check out our guide to using colors to communicate effectively .

2. Creative presentations to keep students engaged with a lesson

We’ve all sat through boring presentations before. I’m going to go out on a limb and assume you don’t want to be the one delivering a boring presentation!

A creative presentation template can go a long way to keep your students from snoring in the middle of class. For starters, introduce bright colors and creative fonts into your slide design. You can also combine photos, charts and icons to illustrate concepts.

For example, this creative presentation uses a bold color palette that give each slide impact:

The combination of a script font with a more modern font helps makes for an interesting and unexpected design. Simple tricks like mixing and matching styles (as long as they’re complementary) can go a long way in your  presentation design .

Related: Storyline: A Starter Guide to Creating Engaging Visual Training Courses

Presenting information in a creative and visually-stimulating way can help get students excited about a topic. This presentation template uses image frames to seamlessly incorporate different pictures of foods into each slide design:

We have a tutorial for using image frames in your design, which you can access  here .

3. Educational charts to make data accessible

Simple charts are another great visual aid for an online learning platform . They can make data more approachable, and can also help reveal the stories behind data.

Look for opportunities to present information visually in your presentations, handouts, and reports, and find a chart that fits that type of information. For example, a classic pyramid chart is effective for visualizing a topic in different levels:

Charts are also handy tools for analyzing processes. There are plenty of opportunities for you to include engaging visuals in your staff presentations, personal research, and more.

For example, a common problem that many teachers face is negotiating budgets for their curriculums, programs, and resources. Well-designed visuals can help you make a good case for your budget requests.

Check out our guide for choosing the best charts for your data .

4. Student assessment reports with an approachable design

Since tracking students’ progress is an important part of a teacher’s job, why not make your student assessment reports more engaging with a creative design?

Younger students at the preschool or elementary school level can find assessments particularly stressful. A fun and playful design can help make a student progress report appear less intimidating.

For example, this progress report template uses a rainbow color palette, with star pictograms representing their grades:

You can also help students and parents understand their progress better by summarizing their progress in a chart. For example, this chart template uses a combination of a pie chart and some simple icons to highlight the main educational areas the student is being assessed on.

5. Research reports to make data and insights engaging

If you want to share some interesting research findings with your students, or you want students to share their findings with you, try using a visually engaging report template . A visual report will require you or your students to identify and emphasize the most important pieces of information.

For example, this research report template uses circle icons to emphasize the study’s main findings:

Presenting research visually can also help inspire students and staff members. For example, if you want to promote a student organization or a charity, visualizing some surprising statistics can make people stop and think about a cause.

This research poster highlights the achievements of an organization using a simple bar graph and some icons:

6. School newsletters to get students, parents and teachers excited about events

A classic school newsletter can help keep staff, students and parents on the same page. Why not add some school spirit to your newsletter design ? If you start with a newsletter template, it’s easy to customize the text and visuals for every week or month.

Simply swap out the icons with ones that reflect the theme of each particular newsletter. You can also use image frames to share pictures of events at your school.

Incorporate your school colors and fonts into your newsletter design. For example, this newsletter template uses the school’s colors of orange for the headers and blue for the sub-headers:

Our newsletter maker offers a ton of creative newsletter templates. Why not try it out?

7. Lesson plans to help you stay organized and to inspire other educators

As an educator, you no doubt understand the importance of being organized. Incorporating visuals into your lesson plan can make it easier for you to scan for information. It can also help inspire your creativity about a subject!

Since organization is key when it comes to lesson planning, you don’t have to go overboard with the design. Some simple design elements like icons, colorful headers, and a thematic footer can breathe life into a mundane lesson plan.

And if you want to share your lesson plans on a personal blog or with other teachers in your school, making your lesson plan engaging will make all the difference!

8. Educational posters to inspire and remind students 

Educational posters are a classic teaching aid that can breathe life into a classroom. Hanging posters up on your classroom walls will not only invite color into the environment, they’ll also act as helpful resources for students.

For example, here’s an educational poster that you could pin up in your classroom. The three study tips on this poster are organized with a different colored background. This is a simple  poster design trick  to help the information stand out.

Meanwhile, this educational poster uses icons to visualize each different type of learner. A poster with this layout this can be useful for introducing students to new or foreign concepts (for example, words in a secondary language) because they can associate each word with a visual.

9. Classroom checklists to keep students, teachers and parents on track

A simple checklist can be a great tool to have in the classroom. From classroom duties to assignments for the semester, there are a lot of things that students need to keep track of.

Adding visual aids to your checklists can help make the points on the list easier to remember. For example, this simple checklist infographic  uses icons and a different color for each point:

A visual checklist can also be useful for staff members, to help them remember tasks or best practices. For example, this checklist template offers tips to guide new teaching assistants:

10. Education calendars to keep students, parents and teacher informed

Both teachers and students have a lot to keep track of. Adding some design flare to your calendar will make it a fun visual aid you can hang up in your classroom, or include to parents in an email.

Look for ways to organize the information so nothing is missed. For example, the lefthand column in this calendar template identifies the focus of each week, using an image to illustrate the ideas. This makes it easy for students to glance at the calendar and have an idea of what’s going on.

Read More:  27+ Lesson Plan Examples for Effective Teaching

A few things to keep in mind when designing visual aids for learning:

• Make sure your information is organized and easy to understand–even if that means toning down the design.
• On that same note, keep designs relatively simple and keep text concise.
• Look for ways to visualize information using charts, pictograms, icons, and images.
• Customize templates for things like newsletters, reports, and calendars so you can easily reuse them.
• Export your teaching aids as high quality PNGs or PDFs so they will look good when you print them.

These are just a handful of the different types of visual aids for learning that you can use in the classroom. Are there any other visual aids that you like to use in your classroom? Share your tips in the comments!

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Designing Visual Aids

Effective visuals help your audience understand and remember the key points of your presentation. Overhead projectors and slides, blackboards, handouts, and computer programs like PowerPoint can greatly enhance your message if they are used effectively. The following tips will help you design effective visual aids. 

Make each visual stand on its own

Each visual needs to be clear and understandable on its own. To help you accomplish this, consider using the following tips:

• limit each slide to only one topic, and give it a relevant title
• state sources where appropriate – for statistics, figures, pictures, etc.
• number headings to clearly illustrate where you are in your presentation
• know your audience: avoid abbreviations and jargon unfamiliar to them
• use meaningful graphics when they reinforce your written message
• highlight key information on charts, tables, and graphs to help focus your audience’s attention (i.e., use colour, circle the information, or use a pointer)
• make points concise yet meaningful – avoid being cryptic

Achieve balanced and consistent layouts

Balance and consistency are important when creating a presentation package. While your visuals should be able to stand alone, they also need to fit together into a coherent whole. The following tips should help:

• keep type sizes and fonts consistent on all visuals in a presentation
• format headings consistently (e.g., use bold text and increased font size)
• use no more than two fonts per slide (one for headings and one for main text) or choose different sizes of the same font for headings and main text
• spread the information out so that it fills the screen
• choose contrasting colours (e.g., dark background with light lettering)
• use colour consistently but avoid overuse – two to four colours per slide
• be aware of the connotations behind colours (e.g., red on a financial statement comes with the negative connotation of having a cash deficit)
• use parallel grammar for points (e.g., begin each point with the same part of speech)

Make visuals easy to read

Visuals are only effective if your audience can physically see them. Here are some tips:

• use 24 - 28 point font for main text and 32 - 40 point font for headings
• if writing by hand on overhead slides, make your letters at least 1/2” (1.0 cm) high
• avoid distracting, unnecessary graphics and excessively complex backgrounds
• use clear, standard fonts such as Times New Roman, Arial, or Helvetica
• consider using boldface lettering to make text thicker
• avoid putting much text in italics or all upper-case letters – this slows down reading
• ensure diagrams are not too intricate to be visible from the back of the room
• limit each point to one line whenever possible to limit reading time

Include only your main points

Effective visuals should aid your audience, not you! They are not your lecture notes. The following tips will help you design concise, content-rich visuals:

• write only main points on your visuals, not the details that support them – avoid giving the audience your presentation to read
• put the key words you repeat throughout your presentation on your visuals (repetition is acceptable in presentations, since it helps audience retention)
• make your points discrete: do not simply break up paragraphs
• assume your audience will copy down everything you present on a visual – keep information clear, simple, and minimal

If you would like support applying these tips to your own teaching, CTE staff members are here to help.  View the  CTE Support  page to find the most relevant staff member to contact.

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Making the Most of Visual Aids

Three strategies for using visual aids to encourage students to engage more deeply with course content.

Most teachers understand the power of visual aids in helping students grasp content. Teachers value the support that visuals lend to classroom instruction because they encourage students to make associations between pieces of information, soak up chunks of course content quickly, and function as a memory aid.

But sometimes we teachers don’t approach the use of visual aids as carefully as we should. We may be too lax in monitoring how students interpret visuals (allowing the oversimplification of content) or how students create visuals (which shows whether they understand what should be included). As a result, students struggle to make the needed connection with course content.

As an educator who relies on graphic organizers and charts in the classroom, I have three strategies for using visual aids without sacrificing course content.

Sharing Intent

We often naively believe that a visual can stand on its own with minimal explanation. Instead, we should directly communicate to students what we hope for them to see (or interpret) based on the lesson at hand. For example, it’s useful to help students explore why the visual was selected and what the key characteristics of it are, and to identify the non-essential elements of it. And we should specify what we intend for the students to know after examining it. For instance, Professor Howard Cox’s purpose in integrating props like an officer’s cap and a replica revolver into his lectures on fiction set during the Civil War is to help build his students’ foundational knowledge about an author’s purpose and inspiration.

If time allows, I like to share a “runner-up” image and invite students to consider why the image didn’t make the cut. This discussion can deepen their understanding. And teachers can use prompts to help students reach that deeper understanding. Examples include “This image is a stronger representation of the concept because _____” and “This image makes me think about _____ from our lesson, which is important because _____.”

Activating Discussion

Most teachers encourage some level of class discourse when presenting a visual aid, but we need to go a step further. We can promote a conversation about how the visual helps in processing the course content. For example, ask students to share how the visual reinforces—or challenges—what they previously learned about relevant vocabulary terms. In my College Readiness class, we review a line graph that compares letter grades and attendance, discussing how the upward direction of the lines supports our expectations of a connection between consistent attendance and higher grades. We also question the story presented by the graph: Beyond lower grades, what consequences do absentee students face?

To increase students’ processing opportunities, use a think-aloud to get students talking about what makes a visual useful vs. the qualities that seem less important to understanding the theme or central message of the graphic or its connection to other content.

Push students to think deeper. For instance, in order to promote retrieval practice , put the visual away and ask students to break down the concepts represented in the visual relying solely on their memory. It’s important to discuss any discrepancies between what the students recall and what’s actually present in the image.

This is an excellent opportunity to explore misconceptions about the concept at hand. It’s also an ideal time to highlight any blind spots or typical areas of confusion related to the concept. For example, when sharing a bar graph, caution students that the measurement scale can lead them to misread it, especially if the y-axis starts with a random number instead of zero or if information is measured in the short term instead of the long term.

Creating Visual Aids as a Class

I believe involving students in the design of visual aids is essential to foster buy-in and learning ownership, but initially, students may hesitate to create their own visuals and take on the designer role.

Establishing design parameters for students should help. For example, limit their format options by specifying the type of graphic organizer or chart they can use, and provide time to discuss what kinds of visuals would potentially work best based on the content at hand. You can also assign a specified number of key concepts—based on the content reviewed—that students are required represented with their visual.

For students who continue to seem uncertain about creating a visual on their own, educator Matt Miller explains the value of maintaining a library of icons  (related to the topic, of course). Such a library allows students to focus on making meaning from the course material instead of becoming frustrated with the design work.

In addition to parameters, offer models. Make a point of asking students if it’s OK to share their visual with peers, and let them know why you wish to share their work. And teacher models are priceless. Dr. Deidra Gammill, a high school teacher in Mississippi, makes a habit of including images in her notes in order to provide concrete examples for her students to follow.

It’s not enough for a visual to capture attention—it should help students become more engaged. Over time, I’ve learned that aligning visual aids with course content is a deliberate process, one that is harder than I realized when I was starting out. With appropriate attention, we can ensure that our visual aids are windows to our lessons’ purpose and construction.

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17 Great Teaching Tools for Organization, Assessment and More

General Education

If you’re a teacher, you’re already doing a lot, but luckily there are many tools available to make your job a little bit easier. Teaching tools can help with everything from creating quizzes to promoting good behavior, and many educators find them incredibly useful.

Practically anything can be a teaching tool; a handful of Post-It notes can be a tool if they help you with tasks like figuring out seating arrangements or keeping track of your calendar. However, for the purposes of this guide, we define teaching tools as an online resource that helps teachers with any aspect of their job. Read on to learn what tools for teachers can do and to read descriptions of 17 of the best teaching aids out there.

How Teaching Aids Can Transform a Classroom

It’s very difficult to teach a classroom without any support, and, fortunately, there are many resources to help you out. There are numerous benefits to using teaching tools. Here are some of the most important:

• Reduce stress of teachers, students, and parents
• Encourage collaboration among students
• Improve knowledge retention
• Improve technological skills
• Reduce teacher workload
• Improve communication between teachers, students, and parents
• Allow students to learn at different paces
• Help teachers identify topics to focus more on
• Improve student participation and engagement

Each of the tools we discuss in this guide promotes at least one of the above benefits, and all are geared towards helping make your job easier and your students’ time in class more effective.

17 Great Teaching Tools

Below are descriptions of 17 online teaching tools you can use to help you both in and out of the classroom. They’re organized into five categories, and beneath each description, we also include the price of the teaching tool. The good news is that nearly all of these tools are free for teachers to use!

Organizational Teaching Tools

Remind is a teaching aid that makes it easier for teachers to communicate with students and parents. Once you sign up, you can send out class announcements, let people know what times you’re available for extra help, and send home updates (with read receipts). Remind makes it easy to keep everyone up-to-date.

While not developed specifically for teachers, many find the Any-do app a very useful teaching tool anyway because it helps them stay on top of their workload. You can use this organizational tool to set reminders for when to complete certain tasks, put important meetings or assessments in a calendar, create to-do lists, and more. It’s like a calendar, note organizer, list creator, and alarm clock all in one app.

LiveBinders

This tool allows you to create a digital binder to organize all your online notes, lesson plans, and content. Anything from YouTube videos, PDFs, word documents, QR codes and more can be added to your LiveBinder, with the bonus that you won’t have to carry a heavy physical binder around if you want access to all this information. Teachers can send students information to be put into their own LiveBinders, and they can also share LiveBinders or information in their LiveBinders with other teachers to make collaboration easier.

Assessment Teaching Tools

If you want to create online tests/quizzes for your students to take, Testmoz is any easy way to do this. This site allows you to create tests (true/false, multiple choice, multiple response, or fill-in-the-blank formats), and it also will automatically grade the tests after your students have taken them and send you detailed reports on how well they did. Teachers who use the site praise its simple design and ease of use. Another bonus is that students don’t need to register on the site to take a test; Testmoz will generate a password you can give to the students, and by entering it on the site they’ll have access to the exam you created.

Cost: Free (Option to pay $20/year for additional features)

With Socrative, you can create online exercises, quizzes or games and watch as your students answer the questions in real time. Socrative also has activities and quizzes that encourage collaboration. Their Space Race game is their most popular example of this, and students who play the game will need to work together to solve specific problems. The site also sends teachers reports on where students need more support and guidance so teachers can tailor their future lessons to address these issues.

Cost: Free, pro plans available at $60 or $100 per year

Gnowledge is an education platform teachers can use to create and share tests, quizzes, and exercises. It emphasizes a simple and easy-to-use interface, so you won’t waste time trying to learn how it works. There are thousands of quizzes on numerous subjects available on the site, and once you’ve chosen one to give to your students, you can distribute it to the whole class or only specific students. They’ll then be graded automatically. You can also store frequently-used assignments so you have ready access to them.

If you’re struggling with maintaining class behavior, ClassDojo may be the tool for you. Teachers encourage students to model certain behavior (which can be general good behavior or something specific, like helping a classmate), and when they succeed, the teacher can use ClassDojo to reward the class or specific students with points. This provides regular feedback for students on their behavior, and the site also create behavior reports that can be shared with parents.

Collaboration Teaching Tools

Lessoncast was developed to increase teaching preparedness and professional development. Each of the “lessons” is a video roughly three minutes long, created for teachers, by teachers. The videos cover topics ranging from strategies for teaching more effectively, overviews of lesson plans, and tips for being a more organized teacher. The videos also have supplementary resources users can download and clear outlines of what users should take away from each video. If you’re a teacher who wants to learn more about how other teachers teach and what has worked for them, Lessoncast is a great way to get this information. However; you need to be part of a “community” (typically a university or school district) that has partnered with it to access the videos.

Cost: Free if you’re a member of a partner community

This teaching tool allows educators to share lesson plans, assignments, and other resources with each other. It also gives them a way to communicate with both students and parents or to set up an online classroom discussion among students. Students and parents can only join the site if they are invited by a teacher. Once they join you can communicate with them using a chat feature that looks similar to Facebook Messenger.

Presentation Teaching Tools

With Animoto, you can create your own educational videos. It’s a teaching tool that allows teachers to easily create videos which they can then use to enhance their lessons. The videos can be filmed from any device, then uploaded to the Animoto site/app. You can also combine videos and images together, and add subtitles or notes to the video. Teachers praise the easy interface and variety of design options.

With Easelly, teachers can transform basic black-and-white reports or datasets into engaging infographics, with eye-catching layouts, colors, and images. It’s a great tool for teachers to create handouts students will be interested in reading, and it can help students process information and data better because it is presented in an innovative way. If you purchase the pro version, you can also create up to 30 student accounts so your students can use the site to create their own infographics.

Cost: Free, pro version available for $4/month

Edpuzzle is a way for teachers to upload videos with their own notes/commentary that students can then watch. These can be videos you create yourself, or they can come from other websites, such as YouTube. Once you’ve uploaded a video, you can choose which portions of it you want students to watch, record your voice to play over part of the video, and add notes. After the video is finished, you can see which students have viewed the video, which parts they watched, and if they watched the video multiple times. You can also easily embed the video into other teaching tools, such as Edmodo.

Cost: Free, pro version available for $8.50/month

SchoolTube is a video community for K-12 educators and students. Think of it like YouTube, but with more moderation to ensure the uploaded videos are appropriate. Teachers can upload videos, organizing them into different “channels” for ease of use, and they can give students the option to upload videos as well. Whenever a student uploads a video to SchoolTube, it must be approved by either a teacher or administrator at the student’s school before it goes live.

For history teachers or others teaching lots of dates, TimeToast can be a great resource. It allows you to create interactive timelines that can include images, different colors/fonts, and horizontal and vertical organization. It creates a much more visually interesting set of information compared to standard timelines. Students can also use the site to create their own timelines, either individually or with a group.

Worksheet Generator

Worksheet Generator has a template for practically every type of worksheet you could want, including word searches, mazes, crossword puzzles, and worksheets specifically formatted for math or reading lessons. If you’re tired of formatting worksheets, this tool makes it easy, and they also have hundreds of worksheets other teachers have made that you can print out and use in your own classes.

Content Teaching Tools

Epic! Is a digital library aimed at students 12 and younger. It contains over 35,000 digital books, organized by age group as well as genre. In classrooms or homes with limited books, students can use Epic! to improve their reading comprehension skills and find books that match their interests. Teachers can also use it to set up reading contests within their classroom, have students write reviews of the books they read, and use it for read aloud times.

Cost: Free (for teachers and librarians)

For teachers looking for STEM teaching tools, Matific is a great aid for teaching students math. The site contains math-focused lesson plans, videos, and practice problems, categorized by subject and grade level (K-6). Students can work through creative and interactive “episodes” to learn different mathematics concepts, then test their knowledge by taking the site’s adaptive worksheets. There are multiple assessment methods, and teachers can review student results.

Cost: Varies depending on plan purchased, but typically ranges from $20 to $60/month

Summary: Tools for Teaching

Teaching aids can make the sometimes never-ending job of being a teacher a little bit easier. Some benefits of online teaching tools include giving teachers more time for other tasks, reducing stress, improving student learning, and improving communication between different groups.

Our list of 17 teaching tools can help keep you organized, improve communication with parents and students, create fun and engaging lessons, and encourage students to be more active participants in their own education.

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Types Of Teaching Aids And Their Importance

• May 28, 2022

Table of Content

Teaching kids effectively is important for their growth, especially when they’re easily distracted. To keep them focused on learning, using various types of teaching aids is key.

These aids make learning fun and help students concentrate better on their studies. With the right types of teaching aids , learning becomes more interesting, and students are more likely to pay attention in class.

Long lectures can bore students, leading to distractions. But, by using engaging teaching aids, teachers can spark an interest in their students. Different types of teaching aids work well with different ways of teaching. In this blog, we’ll explore the different types of teaching aids along with highlighting the importance of teaching aids .

What Are Teaching Aids?

Teaching aids facilitate the learning of students in various ways. Teachers use different teaching aids to make their students listen attentively and interestingly. The traditional teaching aids involve the usage of blackboards, posters, globes, charts, textbooks, etc.

However, as technology grows, teaching aids have also improved a lot, and today’s teaching aids are classified into audio aids, visual aids, mechanical teaching aids, audio-visual aids, and more. 

Types of Teaching Aids

There are many types of teaching aids that can help students learn in different and exciting ways. Visual aids, like charts and videos, make it easier for students to picture what they’re learning.

Hands-on aids, such as models and puzzles, allow students to learn by doing, which can be really fun and effective. Technology-based aids, including educational apps and interactive whiteboards, bring lessons to life and make learning interactive.

Audio aids, like recordings and podcasts, help improve listening skills and understanding. Each type of teaching aid has its own way of making lessons more engaging and helping students understand better. Let us understand these teaching aids in detail.

1. Traditional Teaching Aids

Traditional teaching aids, as the name suggests, have been used for teaching for a long time. These teaching aids were so important when no technology came into existence. Still, some of them are used by schools nowadays, and they include blackboards, books, flashcards, maps, globes, etc. 

For example, subjects such as Chemistry and Physics still involve the use of blackboards, as teachers would find it easier to teach derivations and chemical equations on board. Using maps in Geography classes will help students to spot the different places of the world accurately rather than just assuming their location. 

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2. Visual Aids

Visual aids include teaching by means of visuals. To improve clarity, teachers rely on visual aids for teaching and use materials like graphs, charts, projectors, models, and diagrams.

For instance, teachers can demonstrate the different kinds of shapes by using large blocks of shapes in their hands to students of smaller grades. There are many tools using which teachers can create training videos for online teaching purposes .

Nowadays, teaching and learning are shifted online, and here visual aids refer to presentation slides, pictures, etc. Visual aids help students in grabbing concepts easily, and they are clearer and more understandable than textbooks. 

Visual aids not only involve solid materials or pictures to learn, but it also involves taking your students to museums, factories, and places where students can earn knowledge. 

For example, using slides with attractive images and demonstrative videos as visual aids in the online classroom helps students to learn interestingly and effectively. 

3. Audio Aids 

Audio aids help a lot in learning languages where communication and listening are important. Auditory learning makes the students develop their listening skills. It may involve playing a paragraph in audio, making your students listen to it and answer your questions, or playing some calm music in your classroom to make your students feel relieved and more. 

Nowadays, we can see everything visually. But there are some ways where we can only listen to audio. By listening to the radio, students can improve their listening and understanding skills. Since audio has a positive effect on brain development, it is greatly helpful for your students to learn attentively. 

4. Audio-Visual Aids

Audio-visual aids involve the usage of videos, films, documentaries, etc., to enhance the process of teaching. Sometimes students may find it difficult if you demonstrate everything by using words or images. They would find it easier when they watch it live. 

For example, if you teach the germination of the seed process through words, they won’t find it very interesting. Instead, if you show them an animated video of how the seeds germinate and how a plant grows from seed by demonstrating it step by step, they will be more interested to learn that topic.

Usage of audio-visuals provides them with a live experience of learning and makes them understand everything better. Audio-visual aids also involve the usage of computers to teach. Almost every school nowadays has computers, and they help a lot for the students to learn using technologies at a very young age. 

Importance Of Teaching Aids

Teachers make use of various types of teaching methods to elevate the process of teaching in an easier way. Teaching aids can even make difficult subjects look easier.

Apart from using only textbooks, the usage of various aids will make your students more interested in learning. Below are some points to prove why teaching aids are important in the process of teaching.

1. Remember Concepts Easily

Students who tend to forget the concepts easily will benefit from the usage of teaching aids in the classroom. When teaching aids are used, teachers not only define everything orally, but they use practical methods to make students understand better, such as models, graphs, etc.

Teaching aids also make learning more interesting, and students tend to remember the concepts longer if they learn them with interest. 

2. Effective Demonstration

There might be some topics that cannot be taught only using words and textbooks. They might need some effective ways to get demonstrated deeper. Those kinds of topics can be easily taught by using different teaching aids.

For example, teaching human anatomy only using a blackboard and chalk would not feel much easier for students to understand. However, using a 3D model or animated video that demonstrates human anatomy will grab students’ attention and help them understand effectively.

3. Makes Complex Concepts Easy

Students sometimes skip topics that are harder to understand and learn. No matter how many times they study, some topics may feel complicated for them. Such topics can be easily taught using the appropriate teaching aids.

Teaching aids help them to understand complex concepts in a faster way, and they no longer skip topics from studying.

4. Improves Thinking Skills

Using teaching aids teachers can develop thinking skills in students’ . Instead of assuming something in their mind, students can actually see and understand how an experiment is performed.

For example, they could understand everything straight and think about implementing the concepts practically. When students start to understand clearly, they will become more curious and eventually develop their creativity skills.

5. Adopting Innovation in Education

Since teachers and students love innovation in learning, they won’t find classrooms boring anymore because of the usage of various teaching aids. Adopting the right teaching methods and strategies enhances the learning experience of students, and they will get to know that education is something beyond reading textbooks and remembering concepts.

Final Thoughts 

Teaching aids help a lot to make learning attractive. Instead of relying only on textbooks and blackboards for teaching, teachers should make use of other interesting teaching aids to encourage their students. Nowadays, technology helps a lot in making learning easier, and it has introduced a lot of new teaching aids which assist the process of teaching.

If you still find difficulty in using teaching aids or in teaching, there are many platforms that can help you with these problems. One such platform is Classplus, where you can create your own app as per your needs and requirements and ease the mode of teaching. Connect to us and know more.

Types Of Teaching Aids FAQs

A1. Teaching aids are the strategies and techniques used to make learning more interesting for students in various ways. Teachers use different teaching aids to make their students listen attentively.

A2. The types of teaching aids are: -Traditional teaching aids -Visual aids -Audio aids -Audio-visual aids

A3. Visual aids include teaching by means of visuals. To improve clarity, teachers rely on visual aids for teaching and use materials like graphs, charts, projectors, models, and diagrams.

A4. Audio aids involve the usage of audio to help students learn. They help in learning languages where communication and listening are important. Auditory learning makes the students develop their listening skills.

A5. Audio-visual aids involve the usage of audio-visual materials such as videos, films, documentaries, etc., to enhance the process of teaching. 

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How Teaching Aids Improve Learning

Written by Dan

Are you ready to give your students the best learning experience possible? With teaching aids, you can make your classroom dynamic and engaging, allowing kids of all ages to understand the material better.

From tactile manipulatives to educational games, there are plenty of creative ways teachers can utilize teaching aids in their lessons – let’s get started!

Related : For more, check out our article on How To Use Concrete, Pictorial and Abstract Resources In Maths here.

Table of Contents

The Importance of Teaching Aids in Learning

Teaching aids play a crucial role in enhancing the learning experience. They not only make lessons more engaging but also help in simplifying complex concepts. By using various teaching aids like diagrams, models, charts, and multimedia presentations, educators can present information in a more accessible and understandable way.

These tools stimulate learners’ senses and make them more receptive to new information. They cater to different learning styles – visual, auditory, and kinesthetic- ensuring all students grasp the content.

Moreover, teaching aids encourage active participation, fostering an interactive learning environment. They spark curiosity and interest among students, making the learning process more enjoyable and less tedious. This ultimately leads to better retention of knowledge and improved academic performance.

Different Types of Teaching Aids

Teaching aids come in a wide variety, each serving a unique purpose to aid in the learning process. Here are some of the most common types:

• Visual Aids : These include items like diagrams, charts, maps, and graphs. They help students visualize concepts, making it easier for them to understand and remember.
• Audio Aids : Audio aids such as recordings, podcasts, and music can enhance lessons, particularly for auditory learners. They are also useful for language learning and pronunciation practice.
• Audio-Visual Aids : These aids combine both visual and auditory elements. Examples include videos, films, and multimedia presentations. They are highly effective in grabbing students’ attention and explaining complex topics.
• Tactile Aids : Tactile aids involve a hands-on approach to learning. These include models, puzzles, and games. They are especially beneficial for kinaesthetic learners who learn best by doing.
• Digital Aids : With the advent of technology, digital teaching aids like educational software, online resources, and virtual reality tools have become increasingly popular. They offer interactive and engaging ways for students to learn.
• Printed Aids : Textbooks, workbooks, flashcards, and worksheets fall under this category. They are traditional yet effective tools for providing detailed information and practice exercises.

Each type of teaching aid offers its own unique benefits and can be used individually or in combination to cater to different learning styles and enhance the overall learning experience.

How Teaching Aids Enhance Understanding

Teaching aids have a significant impact on students’ understanding of various concepts. They are instrumental in breaking down complex ideas into more short, digestible chunks. Here’s how they accomplish this:

Visual Representation : Teaching aids like diagrams, charts, and models visually represent abstract or complicated concepts. Students can grasp these concepts more quickly and thoroughly by seeing them visually.

Engagement and Interaction : Interactive teaching aids such as games, simulations, and digital tools foster an engaging learning environment. This active involvement in the learning process enhances students’ understanding as they are not just passive recipients of information.

Catering to Different Learning Styles : Not all students learn the same way. Some are visual learners, others are auditory learners, and some learn best through physical activity. By using a variety of teaching aids, educators can cater to these different learning styles, thereby improving understanding for all students.

Reinforcing Learning : Teaching aids also serve as practical tools for reinforcing what has been taught. For instance, flashcards and quizzes help revise and retain information, ensuring long-lasting learning.

The Role of Teaching Aids in Retaining Information

Teaching aids are effective in conveying information to students and play a significant role in helping them retain that information. Here’s how:

Repetition and Reinforcement : Teaching aids like flashcards, quizzes, and games allow for repetition and reinforcement of concepts, which is crucial for long-term memory retention.

Engaging Multiple Senses : Many teaching aids engage more than one sense, which helps to improve memory recall. For example, audio-visual aids stimulate sight and hearing, making the learning experience more immersive and memorable.

Creating Associations : Visual aids such as diagrams, charts, and mind maps can help students create associations between different pieces of information, making it easier to remember details.

Active Learning : Interactive teaching aids require students to participate actively in learning rather than passively absorbing information. This active engagement promotes more profound understanding and better retention.

Motivation and Interest : Teaching aids can make learning more enjoyable and exciting. When students are interested in what they’re learning, they’re more likely to remember it.

Incorporating Teaching Aids into Lesson Plans

Incorporating teaching aids into lesson plans can significantly enhance the learning process. Here’s how educators can effectively do this:

Understand the Learning Objectives : The first step is clearly defining what the students need to learn from a particular lesson. This will help select the most appropriate teaching aids aligned with the learning objectives.

Consider the Learners’ Needs : Considering their needs and preferences is crucial. For instance, if a class has more visual learners, diagrams, charts, or videos may be more effective.

Integrate Variety : Use a mix of different types of teaching aids to cater to various learning styles and keep the lessons enjoyable. This could include a blend of visual aids, audio aids, printed materials, and digital tools.

Plan for Interaction : Whenever possible, incorporate interactive teaching aids that encourage student participation. This could involve group activities, games, or hands-on experiments.

Test and Review : After implementing a teaching aid, it’s important to review its effectiveness. This can be done through quizzes, discussions, or feedback from students. If a particular aid isn’t working as expected, don’t hesitate to try something different.

The Impact of Teaching Aids on Student Engagement

Teaching aids have a significant influence on student engagement. They transform the conventional way of teaching, making it more interactive and exciting for students. Here’s how they impact student engagement:

Stimulating Interest : By appealingly presenting information, teaching aids stimulate curiosity and interest among students. This can be particularly beneficial for complex or dry topics that might otherwise be difficult to engage with.

Encouraging Active Participation : Interactive teaching aids such as games, simulations, and digital tools encourage students to participate in the learning process actively. This active involvement fosters a more profound understanding and makes learning more enjoyable.

Catering to Different Learning Styles : Not all students learn the same way. Some are visual learners, others prefer auditory information, and some learn best through physical activity. By using a variety of teaching aids, educators can cater to these different learning styles and ensure all students are engaged.

Improving Focus and Concentration : Teaching aids like videos, animations, and models can grab students’ attention and keep them focused on the lesson. This increased focus and concentration lead to better comprehension and retention of information.

Measuring the Effectiveness of Teaching Aids

To ensure that teaching aids serve their intended purpose, measuring their effectiveness is crucial. Here’s how this can be achieved:

Student Performance : One of the most direct ways to gauge the effectiveness of teaching aid is by assessing the student’s performance. A noticeable improvement in grades, comprehension, or class participation after introducing a particular teaching aid indicates that the aid is effective.

Student Feedback : Asking for student feedback can provide valuable insights into how well a teaching aid works. Students can share whether they found the aid helpful, engaging, and easy to understand.

Observation : Teachers can observe student engagement during lessons. If students appear more interested, ask relevant questions, and participate actively during lessons where teaching aids are used, it’s a positive sign that the aids are beneficial.

Comparative Analysis : Use the same teaching material with and without the aid, then compare the results. This can give a clear picture of how much the teaching aid impacts student understanding and retention.

Consistency Over Time : The true test of a teaching aid’s effectiveness is its ability to facilitate long-term learning. Regular revision sessions or tests can help determine if students retain the information taught with the aid.

Remember, using teaching aids is to enhance the learning experience. If a particular aid isn’t delivering the desired results, don’t hesitate to experiment with other types or adapt your approach.

Teaching aids can be a powerful tool to help improve student learning and should not be overlooked in the classroom. They can help increase engagement and focus, provide students with new perspectives on topics, encourage discussion and debate, and take learning from a passive act to an active one.

Not only do teaching aids support problem-solving skills and provide hands-on activities that students enjoy participating in, but they also open up pathways for understanding complex concepts that may otherwise have seemed inaccessible.

In short, teaching aids are both enjoyable and practical tools with the power to enable learners to engage with subject matter in a meaningful way. With all of these benefits from using teaching aids in the classroom, any educator or learner should consider taking advantage of them if they have not already done so.

Be sure to check out our other articles related to making learning fun and engaging!

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About The Author

I'm Dan Higgins, one of the faces behind The Teaching Couple. With 15 years in the education sector and a decade as a teacher, I've witnessed the highs and lows of school life. Over the years, my passion for supporting fellow teachers and making school more bearable has grown. The Teaching Couple is my platform to share strategies, tips, and insights from my journey. Together, we can shape a better school experience for all.

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Preparing Teaching Materials and Using Teaching Aids

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• David Newble BSc(Hons), MBChB, MD, FRACP, DipEd 3 &
• Robert Cannon MA(Hons), MEdAdmin, DipTertEd 4  

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In your teaching career you will use a wide range of audiovisual and printed teaching materials. How these materials can be economically and effectively produced and how you might use them is the focus of this chapter.

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Rather thanrecommend any one book, we suggest that a better way of keeping up-to-date inthis rapidly changing area is to consult the journal and magazine literature. Specific journals which may be of help includethe Journal of AudiovisualMedia in Medicine, Media and Methods and the British Journal ofEducational Technology

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An outstandingguide to the preparation of print materials is Designing Instruction and Text (second edition) by J. Hartley,KoganPage, London, 1985.

Books referred to in this chapter

Informed Professional Judgement: A Guide to Evaluation in Post-secondary Education by E. Roe and R.MacDonald, Universityof Queensland Press, Brisbane, 1983.

Teaching Through Self-Instruction, How to Develop Open Learning Materials by D. Rowntree, Kogan Page,London, 1990.

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The University of Adelaide, South Australia, Australia

David Newble BSc(Hons), MBChB, MD, FRACP, DipEd ( Associate Professor in Medicine )

Advisory Centre for University Education, The University of Adelaide, South Australia, Australia

Robert Cannon MA(Hons), MEdAdmin, DipTertEd ( Associate Professor and Director )

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© 1994 David Newble and Robert Cannon

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Newble, D., Cannon, R. (1994). Preparing Teaching Materials and Using Teaching Aids. In: A Handbook for Medical Teachers. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-1426-4_8

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The 5 Key Criteria To Create Effective Teaching Aids For The Classroom

Using educational teaching aids can boost student success in the classroom. These aids reinforce what a teacher says and ensures the main points are understood. Educational teaching aids signal students to the important information. They also allow them to experience something that is abstract in real life. They engage students’ other senses in the learning process and allow for different learning styles.

What is A Teaching Aid?

A teaching aid is anything that can be used to help reinforce new information or skills. It is helpful to consider the age of your students and the subject you are teaching. You must also consider your specific students. Do they need more active involvement? Do they prefer more serious teaching aids? Are they struggling with your subject?

Create teaching aids that build on your students’ knowledge and inspire them to learn more.

Why Do You Use Teaching Aids?

• Teachers use aids consciously because they know that they have a positive effect on learning outcomes, they claim that learning aids improve methodology.
• Whenever teachers use some of the learning aids while teaching, their students get more stimulated because the learning aids help them (students) to become more attentive.
• With aids, students participate in better in-class activities.
• Learners understand better when teachers use aids to teach.
• Teachers also improvise the teaching aids when needed.
• Teachers claim that they use teaching aids to explain the various concepts that require explanation.

What is the Importance of Teaching Aids?

• Support lesson.
• Assist learning.
• Explain concepts and illustrate meanings.
• Facilitate teachers‘ work by promoting conversation in groups.
• Save time and effort.
• Make use of the five senses.
• Arouse interest in the current topic.

Characteristics of Good Teaching Aids:

• Suitable for the teaching objectives.
• Correlate with text material and class work.
• Simplify the learning process.
• Be of appropriate size and attractive.
• Provide language experience to improve communicative competence·       
• Motivate pupils to practice language individually, in pairs or in groups.
• Clear and easy to use, available in the classroom or school.

Examples of Learning, and Teaching aids:

• Whiteboards.
• Flip charts.
• Smartboard.
• PowerPoint.
• Pictures, flashcards, graphic organizers.
• Videocassettes/DVDs.
• Overhead transparencies.
• Audio aids.
• The teacher-laptops.

The Five Main Criteria to Choose Effective Teaching Aids for the Classroom

Teachers commonly use aids in the classroom to supplement their instruction. The effectiveness of these teaching aids depends on certain qualities. These qualities enable students to benefit from aids.

1. Accessibility

The most important factor of any educational aid’s effectiveness is its accessibility to students. Educational aids must be made available to all students within a classroom.

2. Visibility

For educational aids to be effective, they must be clearly visible. Boards provide convenient visual platforms from which students observe and copy information. Dry-erase boards use markers, which can easily be wiped away. Electronic boards, or “whiteboards,” can link directly to a teacher’s computer to display information that can be altered directly or remotely.

3. Practicality

Educational aids are most effective when they introduce students to knowledge and skills that prepare them for the real world. Desktop and laptop computers are useful for this purpose. They can be used to access educational and creative material while familiarizing students with technology.

4. Interactivity

Educational aids become effective when they encourage participation from learners. The greater the degree of interactivity, the greater the benefit is to the student.

5. Usability

A large degree of any educational aid’s effectiveness lies in the ability of the person using it. Both students and teachers must be familiar with the aid’s operation and its intended purpose before it can be used effectively. For example, an art teacher who wishes to use a slide projector should be aware that such a device requires periodic maintenance and is ideally placed some distance from the screen.

As a teacher, your first goal is to maximize learning and to use time efficiently. This may mean that you take a different approach to teaching. This is how teaching aids are beneficial.

• Keep the learning relevant to your students’ lives.
• If the material is not relevant, students are less likely to care for it.
• Remain enthusiastic and implement different methods in your teaching approach. It makes for a more engaging classroom.

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GREAT.THESE TEACHING AIDS ARE ESSENTIAL TO SUPPORT OUR LESSONS AND MEET STUDENTS ‘ AS THEY HAVE DIFFERENT METHODS OF LEARNING.HOWEVER WE HAVE TO VARY OUR AIDS SO THAT EVERY STUDENT CAN BENIFIT FROM THE LESSON

Thank you for the great lesson

Very systematic and precise well understood

Education is the key to success

It is good notes because is systematic arranged which stimulate an individual to study or lean

I have followed the notes very well and I promise to follow these criteria in selection of the teaching resources for my ICT class . THANKS 👍

So good for 21st century teacher

Thanks so much sir for the great work you have done especially imparting in us the knowledge and I think It will help not only me but the class as a whole to ensure the above certria in a practical matter

Thanks so much for the great work and imparting in us the knowledge

Asante sana Mwalimu, i will keep following for more information to improve teaching

Great stuff

Good notes and i like

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TYPES AND PRINCIPLE OF TEACHING AIDS

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Hudu Zakaria

Bobby Celebrado

ePG Pathshala, MHRD, Government of India

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Man’s eternal thirst for knowing about new thing has enabled him to accumulate, through ages, a vast sea of knowledge. Knowledge seeking is basically a pleasurable phenomenon for him. If it is not there, there must be something wrong with the knowledge imparting process or the milieu in which he is put to learn. Hence, it is for the teacher to impart knowledge in such a way that it becomes a pleasure-giving phenomenon rather than a burden. In the case of adult learners this question attains greater significance. Adult learner is a mature student who is acquiring new knowledge and skills, developing new attitudes after having reached mature intellectual, physical and social development (Kapur, 2015). Adult learners shoulder many difficulties unlike the younger student learners. Being part of the learning can be actually challenging for them. Under these circumstances, teaching-learning should be carried out in an effortless manner. The teaching learning environment has to be lively and cuts out the use of monotonous techniques and instructional devices. At the end of every teaching- learning process there are certain learning objectives that have to be achieved. To accomplish this well the teacher or the facilitator uses different types of teaching techniques and methods, materials, devices and strategies. If the teacher uses only verbalism as in lecture method, it will not lead to effective learning. Moreover research done by Cobun (1968) shows that while learning, we remember 10 % of what we read, 20 % of what we hear, 30 % of what we see, 50 % of what we hear and see, 70 % of what we say, 90 % of what we say and do. Therefore it is essential that for effective teaching learning the learning experiences have to filter in through multiple sensory avenues or sensory gateways viz. through – eyes (see), ears (hear), nose (smell), tongue (taste), skin (touch). Messages coming in through multiple sensory channels are understood and retained better. Teaching Aids are the tools available to the teachers to provide multiple sensory experiences and to carry out teaching- learning process effectively and efficiently. Carmona and Fransisco (2006) confirm that it is necessary to integrate teaching aids in order to facilitate the teaching process. There are a large number of teaching aids available to the teacher/facilitator. This module will focus on what is the need and importance Teaching Aids and closely examine various types of Non-conventional and Modern Teaching Aids.

MUSA MUHAMMAD BELLO

Sandip Ratna

Major classification of Teaching-learning aids available to us is based on the characteristic of the Material been used for the Aid; whether aid is an audio, visual or audio-visual or whether the Aid is projectable or non-projectable. In this paper the classification is made on the basis of style of interaction with the particular Aid by the learner. When we are analyzing the content, teaching instruction from the point of brain and psychological based under neuroeducation, it is also necessary that Teaching-Learning Aids that teacher uses in the classroom need to classify according to learners’ participation in the process of teaching-learning.

EMMANUEL PHILEMON

Dipak Wayal

Modern teaching aids have been proved to be a useful tool in English Teaching process, which is more efficient and more impressive than traditional mode. Teaching aids reinforce the spoken or written words with concrete images and thus provide reach perceptual images which are considered as base to language learning. When these materialsare being used in effective manner, they make the learning process easier and permanent. They play a crucial role in bringing the outside world into the classroom and make us teach efficiently and effectively. The teacher needs to apply all these modern teaching aids in teaching process. Teacher has to acquire necessary skills to impart quality education, and must acquaint students the importance of these aids and how they make teaching learning process lucid, simple and interesting. They create enthusiasm and positive spirit in teachers and student. The aids alone cannot accomplish the task of education and the teacher always remains the main pivot of all teaching process. While using teaching aids the teacher should be clear about the objects of instruction and thus make the right use of right material at right place and at the right time. In short, teaching aids make learning permanent, stimulates self-activity, helps in overcoming language barriers, develops greater understanding, fosters continuity of thought, makes us teach efficiently and brings the outside world into the classroom.

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Becoming a Teacher

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In Chapter 5 we discussed the teacher as a mediator of learning. We traced the word mediation back to its Latin origin, mediare, which means ‘to be in the middle’ or ‘to put oneself between’. The word media, which we use to refer to communication aids such as the chalkboard, overhead projector, electronic white board, video, DVD, and computer software programmes and games, also comes from the same Latin word. We can therefore think of educational media, or teaching aids, as tools to mediate learning. The quantity, quality and nature of teaching aids that are available for teaching and learning are highly context-dependent. The latest education media or most expensive technology used as teaching aids do not equate to good teaching. It is not the technology, the teaching aid or the choice of educational media that make a great teacher. A bad teacher with access to the best technology and the latest gadgets will not necessarily become a better teacher, but can simply teach badly with expensive teaching aids. You will probably have heard the expression ‘Death by PowerPoint’, or even experienced it at some point in one of your classes. The repetitive use of the same teaching aid loses its impact in the learning process as learners disengage from the learning event.

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Teaching aids and its impact on the learners

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Overview on teaching aids

According to Aguokogbuo (2010), teaching aids are materials that the classroom teacher uses to help students understand the concepts being introduced during a lesson. These teaching aids can take numerous forms, from the beads students might count while learning simple math in kindergarten to the photos of famous people and places teachers might display during a history lesson.

Mkpa (2007) described teaching aid as human and non-human materials and facilities that can be used to ease, encourage, improved and promote teaching and learning activities. They are whatever materials used in the process of instruction. They are a broad range of resource which can be used to facilitate effective instruction. They indicate a systematic way of designing, carrying out and employing the total process of learning and communication and employing human and non-human resources to bring out a more meaningful and effective instruction. They are human and non-human material that a teacher uses to pass information to the learner in his/her class.

Kochhar (2008) asserted that teaching aids are educational resources used to improve students’ knowledge, abilities, and skills, to monitor their assimilation of information, and to contribute to their overall development and upbringing. Ema and Ajayi (2007) highlighted that teaching aids come in three basic forms:

• The first form of teaching aids includes such objects and phenomena as minerals,rocks,raw materials,semi-finished and finished manufactured articles, and plant and animal. Included among these materials are reagents and apparatus for producing chemical and other reactions and for demonstrating and studying such reactions during laboratory sessions.Also included in the first group are materials and equipment for students’ expeditions and other travel, as well as supplies, instruments, and equipment for production training and for courses in drafting and the representational arts. Among such supplies, instruments, and equipment are wood, metal, plastic, and glass objects, measuring and monitoring instruments and equipment, equipment for the assembling and finishing of various products,and machines and machine tools.
• The second form of educational materials, that of representations of actual objects and phenomena,includes three-dimensional materials(castings, globes, and experimental models),two-dimensional materials (charts, pictures, photographs, maps,diagrams,and drawings), and audio visual materials (motion pictures,film clips,filmstrips, slide sequences, transparencies, records and tape recordings, and radio and television broadcasts). Audio visual materials, including the resources of films, radio, and television, help acquaint students with the achievements of modern science, technology, industry, and culture and with phenomena that are inaccessible to direct Audio visual materials also acquaint students with early periods of history and with distant places in the world and in space.Such materials elucidate natural and social phenomena and enable students to study the inner world of matter and the internal motion of waves, elementary particles, atoms, molecules, and living cells.
• The third form of instructional materials,that of written descriptions, includes scientific, scholarly, reference, and methodological teaching aids, as well as textbooks,books of problems and exercises, books for recording scientific observations, laboratory manuals,manuals for production training,and programmed

Types of teaching aids

Amotua-Efebor (2014) classified teaching aids into three (3) which are:

Visual aids

• Audio-visual aids

There are many different types of visual aids. The following are some of the most common visual aids as identified by Tuckman (2008) include:

• PowerPoint (or equivalent): Microsoft PowerPoint is probably now the most commonly used form of visual aid. Used well, it can really help you in your presentation; used badly, however, it can have the opposite effect.
• Overhead projector slides/transparencies: Overhead projector slides/transparencies are displayed on the overhead projector (OHP) – a very useful tool found in most lecture and seminar rooms. The OHP projects and enlarges your slides onto a screen or wall without requiring the lights to be dimmed.
• White or black board: White or black boards can be very useful to help explain the sequence of ideas or routines, particularly in the sciences. Use them to clarify your title or to record your key points as you introduce your presentation (this will give you a fixed list to help you recap as you go along). Rather than expecting the audience to follow your spoken description of an experiment or process, write each stage on the board, including any complex terminology or precise references to help your audience take accurate notes.
• Paper handouts: Handouts are incredibly useful. Use a handout if your information is too detailed to fit on a slide or if you want your audience to have a full record of your findings. Consider the merits of passing round your handouts at the beginning, middle and end of a presentation.
• Flip chart: A flip chart is a large pad of paper on a stand. It is a very useful and flexible way of recording information during your presentation – you can even use pre-prepared sheets for key points. Record information as you go along, keeping one main idea to each sheet. Flip back through the pad to help you recap your main points.
• Video (DVD or VHS): Video gives you a chance to show stimulating visual information. Use video to bring movement, pictures and sound into your presentation. Always make sure that the clip is directly relevant to your content.

  Audio aids

The first category of aids is audio-aids. Audio-aids help in developing the listening skill of an educand. Audio-aids are those aids which can be only listened. Examples of audio aids as highlighted by Mcluhan (2014) are:

• Tape recorder: A tape recorder consists mainly of three parts-the microphone, the amplifier and the receiver. The talks of eminent personalities, educationists, academicians and scientists can be recorded and reproduced in the classroom through this teaching aid. The important merit of this audio-teaching aid is that the speech of a person can be recorded at any time and it can be used for a number of times at will, again and again.
• Radio: Radio programmes can be categorised into two types. One type of radio programme is called education radio-broadcasts, which provides opportunity to the teachers and students to listen to the programme and take notes on them. The teachers should discuss the programme, the main points of the radio lesson, the lecture, the dialogue and the characters, etc., with the students to supplement, evaluate and consolidate their learning.
• Audio-Cassettes: Audio-cassettes can be used for recitations of nursery rhymes, poems and stories, etc.

Audiovisual aids

Audiovisual aids refers to materials used in possessing both a sound and a visual component, such as slide-tape presentations, films, television programs, church services and live theater productions. Audio-visual is, of course, a combination of two words: audio referring to that which we can hear, and visual referring to that which we can see.  Examples of audio visual aids are television, video player, etc. (Heeks, 2009).

Impact of teaching aids on learners

Teaching aids play important role in teaching- learning process. Some of the importance of teaching aids according to Adekeye (2008) are:

• Motivation : Teaching aids motivate the students so that they can learn better.
• Clarification: Through teaching aids, the teacher clarifies the subject matter more easily.
• Discouragement of cramming: Teaching aids can facilitate the proper understanding to the students which discourage the act of cramming.
• Increase the vocabulary: Teaching aids helps to increase the vocabulary of the students more effectively.
• Makes classroom live and active : Audio visual aids make the classroom live and active.
• Direct experience: Teaching aids provide direct experience to the students

Advantages of teaching aids

According to Bozimo (2012), the following are some of the advantages of teaching aids:

• Best motivators : Teaching aids are best motivators. Students work with more interest and zeal. They tend to be more attentive when teaching aids are used in teaching and learning.
• Fundamental to verbal instructions : They help to reduce verbalism which is a major weakness of our schools. They convey the same meaning as words mean. They give clear concepts and thus help to bring accuracy in learning.
• Clear images : Clear images are formed when we see, hear, touch, taste and smell as our experiences are direct, concrete and more or less permanent. Learning through the senses becomes the most natural and consequently the easiest.
• Vicarious experience : Everyone agrees to the fact that the first hand experience is the best type of educative experience but such an experience cannot always be provided to the pupils an so in some situations certain substitutes have to be provided. For this we find a large number of inaccessible objects and phenomenon.
• Variety : Teaching aids provide variety and provide different tool s in the hands of the teacher.
• Freedom: The use of teaching aids provide various occasions for the pupil to move about, talk, laugh and comment upon. Under such an atmosphere the students work because they want to work and not because the teacher wants them to work.
• Opportunities to handle and manipulate: The use of teaching aids provides immense opportunities to the pupils to see, handle and manipulate things.

Disadvantages of teaching aids

Inside of the increasing popularity that the teaching aids have gained in the educational system, there are certain problems to be faced which were identified by Bolick (2013) include:

• Apathy of the teacher: It has not yet been possible to convince the teacher that teaching with words alone is quite tedious, wasteful and ineffective.
• Indifference of students: The judicious use of teaching aids arouses interest but when used without a definite purpose they lose their significance and purpose.
• Ineffectiveness of the aids: Because of lack of proper planning and lethargy of teacher as also without proper preparation, correct presentation, appropriate applica­tion and essential follow up work, the aids have not proved their usefulness. A film like a good lesson has various steps-preparation, presentation, application and discussion.
• Absence of electricity: Most of the audio and audiovisual aids cannot work without electric current and so the non-availability of electricity is creating a hurdle in their proper use as teaching aids.

Areas where the use of teaching aids are necessary

For effective teaching and learning to take place, Mkpa (2007) suggested that the teacher or instructor must be able to paint a vivid picture in the mind of the audience through the use of teaching aid. He further stressed that teaching aids are necessary in the classroom while teaching children, in the hospital during health talk, in the companies making use of models and simulations, etc.

Impacts of teaching aids on the learners

Bozimo (2012) stated that teaching has several impacts on the learner which include:

• Creating a lasting impression in the mind of the learners.
• Enable learners to remember what they had learnt for a very long period of time.
• Enables learners to thing and draw their own conclusion of the concept learnt.
• The learners are given the opportunity to manipulate the teaching aid to create a clearer understanding.
• It helps learners to relate their knowledge to real life situations.

Conclusion/recommendations

Teaching aids appeal to the senses of the learners and make it easy for the teacher to clarify the concept they are trying to pass across to the learners. Based on this, it is recommended that:

• Teachers should ensure that they develop and organized adequate teaching aid that will assist in passing information to learners.
• Teaching aid should be introduced strategically to ensure that the attention can understand the importance of the teaching aids and how they apply to the concept under study.
• To cut down on financial hurdles need for teaching aids, teachers should improvised using locally available materials.

  References

Adekeye, R. B.  (2008). Social studies curriculum. Onitsha: FEB Publishers

Aguokogbuo, C. M. (2010). Curriculum development and implementation for Africa. Nsukka: Mike Social Press.

Amotua-Efebor,  E. B. (2014). Effective teaching: Principles and practice, Port Harcourt: Paragraphics

Bolick, C. (2013). Technology Applications in Social Studies Teacher Education: A Survey of Social Studies Methods Faculty. Contemporary Issues in Technology and Teacher Education. 3(3) Retrieved on 20th March 2017 from http://www. Citejournal.org/vol3/is s3/social studies/article1.cfm.

Bozimo, G. (2012). Social studies theories and perspective, Onitsha: Outright publishers.

Ema, E. & Ajayi, D. E. (2007). Educational technique and technology: Methods, materials, machines, Jos: University Press Ltd.

Heeks, R. (2009). Information and Communication Technologies, Poverty and Developments. Working Paper Series, paper No.5, Institute for Development Policy and Management, Manchester, England.

Kochhar, S. K. (2008). Teaching of social studies: New Delhi: Sterling Publishers.

Mcluhan, M. (2014). Understanding media. New York. McGraw-Hill Publisher.

Mkpa , M. A. (2007). Curriculum development and implementation. Owerri Totan Publishers Ltd

Tuckman, B. W. (2008). Conducting educational research, Orlando Florida: Jovavic Inc.

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Diviértete: zona de cultura. New GCSE Pearson Edexcel - Ppt + answers and worksheet

Subject: Spanish

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The perfect material to support the teaching of the section ‘Zona Cultura: el mundo hispanohablante’ from Edexcel ActiveHub’s Module 1, Diviértete.

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• Vocabulary aligned with the new GCSE specification for Edexcel.
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Education takes center stage at Tampa's Breakfast Debriefing Series

TAMPA, Fla. — The educational corridor in downtown Tampa’s West Riverfront neighborhood was the focus of the Downtown Breakfast Debriefing Series on Wednesday, highlighting ways education is being expanded in the neighborhood and the challenges that lie ahead.

What You Need To Know

The educational corridor in downtown tampa’s west riverfront neighborhood was the focus of the downtown breakfast debriefing series ways that education is being expanded in the neighborhood was the center of the presentation tampa prep's kevin plummer discussed the city's resources and how they can impact education.

Kevin Plummer, head of school for Tampa Preparatory, was the guest speaker. 

The growth, innovation and creative design of classrooms has been his mission for the past several years.

“Tampa as a city has some of the greatest resources I have ever seen from arts to athletics to industry,” Plummer said.

From the Straz Center, to the Florida Aquarium and Tampa General Hospital, the opportunities for students at Tampa Prep are becoming more abundant in a part of town changing almost by the day, he said.

“The tying of that partnership between schools and helping kids actually have an authentic peak, if you will, into their futures would be absolutely transformative.”

Evidence of the expansion of education in Tampa’s West Riverfront neighborhood is on full display on campus at Tampa Prep.

A construction project ongoing for 18 months is continuing as school starts for a new year, and new floors of the school’s main building are opening for the first time for students after a big renovation.

“If we are genuinely interested in preparing them for complexities of the future, then you start designing spaces like this,” Plummer said on a tour of campus.

He showed off wide hallways with breakout study areas for students and engaging learning environments inside classrooms.

Each classroom is equipped with dual projectors on both sides of the classrooms, and ergonomic desks on wheels are used by students so they don’t feel stuck in one spot or in one position while learning.

“It just really changes the theatre of the classroom,” Plummer said. “There’s no more stage on a stage, like, you are in it with kids all the time.”

For more information about the Breakfast Debriefing Series, visit the Tampa Downtown Partnership's website .