Teaching aids enliven lessons :: Mmegi Online

Most teachers have the necessary knowledge and skills relating to their subject. But that’s not enough! Since most pupils have a short attention span, teachers must find ways of imparting knowledge and skills in an interesting way that will make learning exciting and meaningful for their pupils, writes Mmegi Correspondent GRAHAME MCLEOD*

TONOTA: Although student centred methods of teaching may, to some extent, achieve this, teachers can also utilise a wide variety of teaching aids to make their lessons come alive for learners.

Teaching aids are materials and devices that can be used to supplement the written or spoken word in the transmission of knowledge and skills and to emphasise or clarify the instruction. They may also be used to communicate attitudes; for example, a chart may show the effects of overgrazing to reflect poor attitudes of some farmers towards the management of their animals and the veld. However, teaching aids can never replace teaching methods. But, nevertheless, teaching aids have many advantages: they stimulate interest amongst students, promote better understanding, and contribute to longer retention of learning.

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