Instructional Materials:

Instructional Materials 

Instructional Materials : It is also known as Teaching Learning Materials (TLM) are any collection of materials including   animate and inanimate objects and human and non-human resources that a teacher may use in teaching and learning situations to help achieve desired learning objectives. Instructional materials may aid a student in concretizing a learning experience so as to make learning more exciting, interesting and interactive. They are tools used in instructional activities, which include active learning and assessment. The term encompasses all the materials and physical means an instructor might use to implement instruction and facilitate student’s achievement of instructional objectives.

Challenges:

Ø Educators skilled in the use of technology for learning

Ø  Content standards and curriculum resources

Ø Student-centered approaches to learning

Ø  Assessment of the effectiveness of technology for learning

Ø  Technical assistance for maintaining and using technology resources

Ø  Community partners who provide expertise, support, and   real-life interactions.

Classification of Instructional Materials

Prints	Textbooks, pamphlets, handouts, study guides, manuals
Audio	cassettes, microphone
Visuals	Charts, real objects, photographs, transparencies
Audiovisuals	Slides, tapes, films, filmstrips, television, video, multimedia
Electronic Interactive	Computers, graphing calculators, tablets

Advantages:

Ø Relevance: Materials can be produced that are directly relevant to students’ and institutional needs and that reflect local content, issues, and concerns.

Ø Develop expertise: Developing materials can help develop expertise among staff, giving them a greater understanding of the characteristics of effective materials.

Ø Reputation: Institutionally prepared materials may enhance the reputation of the institution by demonstrating its commitment to providing materials specifically for its students.

Ø Flexibility: Materials produced within the institution can be revised or adapted as needed, giving them greater flexibility than a commercial course book.

Disadvantages:

• Cost: Quality materials take time to produce and adequate staff time as well as resources need to be allocated.
• Quality: Teacher-made materials will not normally have the same standard of design and production as commercial materials and hence may not present the same image as commercial materials.
• Training: To prepare teachers for materials writing projects, adequate training is necessary. Materials  writing is a specialized skill and not all teachers area capable of writing good materials.