LB#6

Using and evaluating Instructional Materials:

    In this topic I able to get an idea upon using and evaluating instructional materials.Aside from that its application to have an effective teaching style.It must be that before introducing to the students it should be that we should select best materials.

When evaluating instructional materials, whether they be texts, videos, software, or websites, there are a variety of issues to consider. The materials you use in teaching your classes need to be accurate, well written, easy to use, and appropriate for the learners who will be using the materials. When deciding which materials to incorporate into instruction, make careful consideration of each of the following issues:

Age-level

Determine whether the material is written at a level that is appropriate for learners who will be using the materials. If text-based materials are being used you will want to evaluate the reading level of the material to make sure that it is written at a level your learners will be able to read. You will also want to make sure that the content of the material is appropriate for your learners. The material may be overly explicit, or the concepts discussed may be beyond the ability of the learners to understand.

Pedagogy

Pedagogy is defined by Webster as the art, science, or profession of teaching. When evaluating instructional materials you need to examine them using your knowledge of the art, science, and profession of teaching. Examine the materials from the perspective of a teacher. In taking this perspective, you will want to examine the instructional quality of the materials and their usefulness as an instructional tool. Examine the accuracy, currency, relevance, readability, grammar, spelling, and instructional usability.

Make sure that the material is accurate and up-to-date. Have you ever read something in a textbook, or seen something in a news report, that you knew was incorrect? I remember vividly reading something in my high school U.S. History text that I knew was incorrect because I had read several biographies about the individual being discussed. In some fields, the development of new theories, new procedures, new products means that in many cases information is frequently outdated as soon as it is published. The almost daily upgrades in technology make it difficult to remain current. I try to limit the effects of constant change by using resources that are updated on a frequent and regular basis. The medical and science fields have similar problems with remaining current. Geography and current events also experience change and development on a regular basis as our world continues to evolve and develop.

Determine the relevance of the information included in the materials. Will it be relevant to your students? Does it relate directly to the content and standards you are teaching? Make sure that the material is written in a manner that will catch your learner's attention. With software and websites you will want to look at the feedback provided to learners. Is the feedback relevant to the content being taught? Is it specific? Is it appropriate for the learners?

It may seem silly to have to consider it, but check the readability, grammar, and spelling accuracy of the instructional materials. More frequently than we'd like to see, materials are poorly written, difficult to read or understand, and riddled with grammar and spelling mistakes. Check and make sure that grammatical errors and spelling mistakes are kept to a minimum. You will want the materials your learners read to be well written, modeling good communication skills.

Examine the instructional usability of the materials.