Episode 4 - Tools of the Trade (Teaching Aids Bank)

EPISODE 4
TOOLS OF THE TRADE (Teaching Aids Bank)

TARGET
At the end of this activity, you will gain competence in preparing instructional materials that are appropriate to the learning content.

MAP
Step 1. To reach your target, follow the steps below:

      Step 2. Decide on a specific content area.

     Step 3. Find out the learning resources relevant to your topic that are available from your school/university’s learning resource center.

      Step 4. Develop a pile of teaching aids (flash cards, pictures, cut-outs transparencies).

      Step 5. Organize them in the box.

TOOLS

      As you observe the class, use the activity forms provided for you to document your observations.

OBSERVATION REPORT Name of the School: Xavier University Observed: Xavier University Library Location of the School:  Corrales Ave., Cagayan de Oro City                            Date of Visit: August 31, 2013 It’s been awhile that I haven’t gone to a library for a cause. I think it’s almost a decade and just last Saturday, August 31, 2013, I visited Xavier University Library. I remembered the times when I used to go to the library to study during exams and quizzes as well as doing my researches. The libraries of Xavier University are housed in two fully-airconditioned buildings:  the three-storey Main Library and the five-storey Library Annex.  The two buildings are connected by a walkway. There are so many resources you can find at Xavier University Library and its ample enough for doing researches. There are lots of books for courses such as Nursing, Engineering, Business Management, Agriculture, Medical, Graduate and Law. There is an American Corner or AC which houses a special collection of resources for use in courses with American content and for those interested in American culture, institutions and society.  FILIPINIANA LIBRARY is also open where you can find local and national newspapers, including books and journals on and about the Philippines and its people. And if you are looking for old documents, the Serial library will help you with more than 3,000 titles of foreign journals, magazines, newspapers, plus 250 titles on microfilm and microfiche. Back issues, starting 1994, of national newspapers are on microfilm. The library is very conducive for studying. There are plenty of tables and chairs to accommodate the students and the place is well-lighted and well-ventilated. The XU library is very organized and you can see a lot of signage to quickly find the books you are looking for. Aside from that, the librarians and student assistants are very approachable and knowledgeable about their work. The library is very clean and there are also proper etiquettes to be followed like no food and drinks allowed and dragging of feet while going up and down the stairs. The XU library is a computerized one. When you enter the library, ID’s are scanned first and when borrowing books bar code readers are used to scan the books and record it in the computer database. There is an Internet laboratory for online researches. There are also other services provided inside the library. You can reserve books, availability of photocopier, access to ALINET (Academic Libraries Information Network in Mindanao) and Online Public Access Catalog (OPAC) or the Web Public Access Catalog (WebPAC) and other beneficial services. The library is a place to study, to do research and could really help a lot in the learning of students. If students are very studios and resourceful enough, I’m pretty sure they will be successful in school and at work in the future. If the library is well ventilated, organized and in order, more students are motivated to use it. But sometimes, libraries are abused by students like they just go there to sleep and other activities unrelated to learning. I just hope that more students will maximize the use of the library because it is really useful in their studies.

Learning Resources on a Specific Content Area                  Use the graphic organizer to present the learning resources relevant to the topic chosen. On the line inside the box, indicate if the resource is already AVAILABLE, MAYBE PURCHASED, OR WILL BE MADE (by you, of course!) TOPIC: Parts of the Computer                                    Grade/year level: 2nd year

Analysis

Give at least three benefits of doing a survey of available materials before making your own materials? Explain each.

1. For me, doing the survey of available materials would save time and effort. Like for example I am looking for a material and it is already available at a bookstore so instead of making one I will just buy it.
2. Another benefit also is you can add new insights and details on your desired material thus making it more original and expressing your own creativity.
3. Learning. As you do the survey, you will find new things and ideas probably irrelevant to your material but maybe in the future these things and ideas will be useful.

Reflections

1. Which of the materials did you like making the most? Why?

For me, the material that I like making most is the PowerPoint presentation because I can do a lot of things on it. I can put some video, pictures and other styles and I can do a lot of customization. Most students love PowerPoint presentation in class.

2. What difficulties, if any, did you encounter in making the materials? How did you overwhelm them?

There was one instance my teacher ask me to do a mock-up of computer. It was difficult because you need to do it with indigenous and crafting it was not easy. I overcame it with patience and being resourceful enough.

3. What tips can you give teachers regarding preparation of teaching materials?

Make sure that the materials you are using is appropriate in the class instruction. Prepare and test the materials before using it in the class. As much as possible, be resourceful enough to save time and money and also try to use variety of materials so that the class won't get bored.