Short essay on Visual aids of teaching

Visual-aids work through the eye-gate. A visual-aid is any instructional device that can be seen but not heard. Whatever is seen by the child easily leaves its imprint on his mind and thus aids learning.

Among visual aids we may include such common place aids as chalk-board, bulletin board, pictures, flash cards, films, demonstration, the use of colour etc. Most of these aids can be successfully improvised or easily procured by a resourceful teacher for his use in the class room. In the following pages we shall describe these aids.

1. The Chalk-board

(a) Importance. The chalk-board or more commonly named as black-board is never-failing friend of a teacher’s equipment for visual instruction. This is probably the most widely used visual device.

The significant importance of the visual aid lies in the fact that in spite of newer and better devices in vogue, the chalkboard remains irreplaceable as well as indispensable for teachers, one and all. C. L. Bhalla has pointed out the importance of the chalk board by saying that today it is “as much a part of teaching institution as the desks, chairs, registers and other important materials.

It is the cheapest and most valuable teaching device and continues to be sine qua non of our educational system.” It is not only the most universally available medium of visual instruction, but also “one of the most valuable devices for making instruction concrete and understandable.” Prof. Struck observes,

“It should be regarded as a medium to be used by both teacher and pupils. For the teacher, it is a means of making instruction effective; for pupil, a means of self-expression and sense participation.”

(b) Chalk-board-Needs and Uses.

As an essential tool of instruction, it is used:

(i) To explain and illustrate certain difficult points in a lesson;

(ii) To make confusing verbalism clear with the help of sketches, diagrams, outline etc.;

(iii) To provide motivation in the class and to enlist pupils’ attention to pertinent aspects of instruction.

(iv) To give convenience to the teacher in the presentation of his lesson. The teacher can use it to list items, the important points of his lesson, or to draw illustration for the class, and having explained them, he can rub off the chalk-board writing to leave it as fresh as ever for further use ;

(v) To help pupils in notes-taking. By writing the information on the board, the teacher will ensure accuracy and clarity;

(vi) to provide group instruction. Its size, location and economical use make it an indispensable teaching device.

(vii) To work out group projects. Group projects in various school subjects viz., Social Studies, Art, Nature Study, Science, and Arithmetic etc. can be planned, illustrated and executed through the medium of chalk-board.

(viii) To make out how far the pupils have understood the main points of lesson. The pupils can be called upon to use the chalk- board to show their grasp.

(d) On Using the Chalk-Board. The following points may be kept in mind while using the chalk-board:

1. As Summer puts it, “The clue to all black-board work is boldness and simplicity.” It is not good to crowd the chalk- board.

2. The teacher should present the material in brief, concise and simple statements.

3. It is good to plan the chalk-board layout ahead of time and not in your lesson plan.

4. The teacher should collect and use everything needed for the chalk-board use-chalk, ruler, eraser, and other necessary materials.

5. Use coloured chalk for emphasis, beauty and aesthetic appeal.

6. The teacher should stand by the side of the chalk-board to enable the pupils to have full view of the board and a side view of the chances of indiscipline are decreased and the attention of the class is focussed on the material of hoard

7. The teacher should ensure that his writing is seen by every pupil in the class.

8. Important points may be underlined and explained with the help of a pointer.

9. The chalk used should be of good quality. The chalk-board surface should be even and smooth.

10. When not in use, keep the chalk-board clean.

11. The teacher should prepare the complicated illustrations before the class meets.

12. Divide the chalk-board into convenient parts and explain different lesson units in each part.

13. Finally, make every effort to maintain the chalk-board in a seaviceable condition.

14. Due consideration should be given to the size, colour and surface quality of the chalkboard. The chalk board surface should not give out glare. To conclude, the chalk-board is an indispensable teaching device and is useful for planning, crystallizing main points and for summarizing and reviewing results.