Films, televisions (TV), video cassettes etc. comes into category of audio-visual aids. Following are the characteristics of audio-visual aids:
Characteristics of Audio-Visual Aids: The following are the five important features of audio-visual aids:
1. It helps in developing perception of learner.
2. It aids in positive transfer of learning and training.
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3. It facilitates in understanding and comprehension.
4. It provides reinforcement to the learner.
5. It increases the retention of the learner.
Use of Television:
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Pre-recorded video tapes can be played through TV in the classroom. Video films on educational topics shown through TV in the classroom have the same effect on the students as the ordinary cinematic educational films do. Video films have the added advantage over ordinary films in that the arrangement is compact and requires little space and time for manipulation. It is the most convenient of all audio-visual teaching-learning materials.
Use of Video:
The potential advantage of video cassette lies in the fact that control of the equipment and the learning process is placed in the hands of the learner through control over the mechanics of the machine, i.e., stopping, starting, timing, reviewing, previewing and consequently the capacity to order the sequence of events, controls the rate of learning and facilitates practice sequences.
The potential exists for providing the basis for learning a wide range of motor, intellectual and cognitive and interpersonal skills, as well as affective aspects. These are important aspects which printed materials cannot deal with adequately. This facility could be particularly useful where distance education programmes are involved with updating skills and techniques of workers in the field. For example, new horticulture techniques can be transmitted to field workers to improve farming techniques. Mid-career retraining can also be catered for.
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Significances:
The problems associated with video cassettes are of two kinds: (i) cost; and (ii) production of programmes.
(i) Equipment costs cannot always be kept down by using lower quality equipment. Cheaper equipment formats do not enable technical material such as animal or plant tissue to be represented adequately on tapes to be reproduced in quantity without loss of fidelity.
(ii) Video production for educational purposes calls for new techniques different from the entertainment modes. Producers, directors, script-writers need to be knowledgeable about teaching and learning. Many of the old techniques of film and television will no longer be of use. For example, the very basic concept that programmes must have a beginning, a middle and an end will no longer apply as a cassette could just as easily consist of a series of short video events which sets a problem, teaches a technique or brings together a range of visual I material to make concepts or principles clear.