THE USE OF MULTISENSORY AIDS IN COLLEGE TEACHING

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A Written Report Submitted to Dr. Eduarda King Meycauayan College Meycauayan, Bulacan

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In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements in Master of Arts in Education MAJOR IN PSYCHOLOGY

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JOY AIMEE CHANG

October 2012

THE USE OF MULTISENSORY AIDS IN COLLEGE TEACHING Reporter: Joy Aimee M Chang

I. Introduction The effectiveness of the teaching-learning process from the elementary to the graduate level can be increased greatly through the proper use of instructional aids. Instructional aids can be classified into two types: (1) Still visual and nonprojected materials like textbook, chalkboard, flannelboard, bulletin work, duplicated materials, clippings/pamphlets/photographs, photo, concrete materials, real objects, models, puppets and drawings, and mock-ups; and (2) Technological aids like tape recorder, listening laboratories, overhead projector, slides and transparencies, opaque projectors, films/filmstrips and computers. Since students in college are more techie, college teacher must equip himself with new and up to date learning resources. College instructors must be willing to convey enthusiasm to students and have an effective teaching strategies by using multisensory aids. II. Definition of Terms a. Multisensory Aids- a teaching approach which help a child learn through more than one of the senses. b. Physiology- the biological study of the normal functions and phenomena of living things c. Mimeograph- duplicator that makes copies of written, drawn, or typed material from a stencil that is fitted around an inked drum.

III. Body of the Report Textbook. Has been the most widely used teaching aids before and even at the present time. Textbooks include summaries, examples, drawings, maps, class projects, guide questions, glossaries, study helps and suggested reference materials. Textbooks selected officially for use in a particular subject. Some colleges and universities allow their professors to prescribe their own textbook to be used. Other have textbook committees or boards who are responsible in selecting books for the different subject matter areas in the curriculum. Below are guidelines in selecting good textbooks. a. b. c. d. Is the vocabulary meets the level of students comprehension? Is the treatment sufficiently up to date? Do the situations include Philippine setting and conditions? Does the textbook contribute to the realization of the national goals of education?

e. Does the treatment (content, emphasis and interpretation) agree fundamentally with the point of view of the course instructor? Chalkboard. Is a permanent fixture in most classrooms. It is a piece of slate hard material, black or green in color, mounted on the wall normally Placed where it can be seen by all the students. Chalkboards are for recording important points of the discussion, meanings, complicated diagrams, solutions to problems and listing suggestions. Here are some suggestions on the use of blackboards. a. b. c. d. e. Put work on the chalkboard high enough for everybody to see. Write legibly and be sure there no errors in spelling or words. Use colored chalk to emphasize contrast or importance of the materials. Erase materials that are no longer in useful. Students should be allowed to use the blackboard for several purposes.

Flannelboard. This is a piece of board covered with velvet or flannel material. Cutouts representing stages of development or steps can be arranged or rearranged through this visual aid. This can be used in Science classes and laboratories where illustrations can be mounted on. Bulletin Boards. Maybe placed in conspicuous place in the corridor or in the classroom. They serve as display places for samples of good work done by students. In college, bulletin board serves as display places for current event or articles that are relevant to the subject. Duplicated materials. Outlines of report, quizzes, exams/test, complicated diagrams/procedures can be duplicated. Reproduction or duplication of resource materials can be done by mimeograph or xerox machine. Clippings/pamphlets/photographs. Newspaper, magazine, brochures, pamphlets, colored diagrams, mimeographs can be collected for collateral reading and for relevant instructional resources. This aids can be used in psychology, physiology or anatomy classes. Teachers and students should know what resources are available in the community that can be brought to the classrooms to enliven class discussion. Models. When real objects cannot be brought to the classrooms, the use of models are another instructional aid to help teachers create real life setting. A model is a small object usually built to scale that represents some existing object. Globes, planetariums, geometric figures, houses, cars, etc are examples of a model. Puppets and Dioramas. Useful in literature and social studies classes. This gives the whole class an opportunity to show their talents from the class and give chance for students to become situation leaders. Puppets and dioramas can be kept for use over the years, Mock-ups. This is most appropriate in college especially in technical subjects. A mock-up is a scale model usually full-sized of a building, machine or structure used for demonstration, study

or testing. Mock-ups can be very useful in many engineering courses where constraints of time, space and location prevent actual visit to the real objects or structure. Tape recorders. Are best for speech improvement, play reading, foreign language, speech clinics and dramatics. The tape recorder can be used for instruction of one group of students and then played back repeatedly to other groups. Tapes can be erased very quickly and can be used many times. Tape recorders can record speeches, demonstration lessons, communications and proceedings of important meetings. The choice of the tape recorder should be based on four factors: a. b. c. d. It should be sturdy, portable and easy to operate. It should duplicate original sounds or music in tone and quality on the playback. It should have at least two recording speeds. It should have a guarantee of dependable repair and replacement service within a reasonable distance.

Listening laboratories. The listening laboratories is an electronic learning technique which can be described as audio-instructional method of learning. It is used in the study of music, drama, science, mathematics and foreign language. This laboratory is operated by a trained specialist or aide. Listening laboratories may use tapes either recorded professionally or made by specialist within the school system. Overhead projector. It is a simple and effective teaching device that can be used with an ordinary projection screen in almost any classroom under normal lighting conditions. This device enable the teacher to illustrate on the screen while looking at his students. The films and slides used with this overhead projector are called transparencies. These are usually prepared before the class session. Slides/Transparencies. A slide is an image on a transparent celluloid plate for projection on a screen. It is also defined as a small glass plate for mounting specimens to be examined under a microscope. Anything that can be drawn, written or photographed can be put on a slide or transparency. Opaque projector. Doesnt need to prepare a slide or films. It can project almost any flat material on a conventional screen. Pictures from books can be projected without removing them from the book. This will enable the teacher to project any material direct from books or magazines. Filmstrips. A filmstrip is a related sequence of slides or transparencies on a strip of 35 mm film. Filmstrips maybe made by teachers but require time and expenses. Yet there are available filmstrips of lessons in geography, health, science, history, citizenship training, literacy, and practice teaching in some laboratories and audio visual centers.

Film. Becoming more popular in most college teaching. Big colleges and universities have AV centers for educational films which individual or a group of classes can view. To be of maximum value, teacher should follow certain procedural steps in using a film for a particular lesson: a. The teacher should see the film first before assigning it for viewing. b. The teacher should make an outline of the important points students should remember in the film. c. The teacher should unlock difficulties in the comprehension of the film. d. The teacher should have an advance questions to guide students while viewing the film. e. The teacher should give general discussion regarding the film. Computers. Is a machine that accepts data from an input device with logical operations in accordance with an internally stored program and transfers the processed results to an output device. Computers can process data in unbelievable speed and accuracy. It can perform the same operations millions of times without being irritated like human. A computer though is not a perfect machine. It has limitations- it cannot give information on its own, it has to be fed. Fed with the wrong data will produce a wrong results. Principles in the Selection and Use of Instructional Resources For the best result, certain principles govern the selection and use of instructional resources. It will be wise for the college teacher to note these principles. a. Instructional resources should follow not dictate teaching aims. b. Time and effort are required to effect changes in the utilization of teaching resources but the results are often worth it. Teachers should not be reluctant to try innovations. c. Instructional resources do not replace teachers. Devices can only improve the teachers competences but they cannot replace the teacher. d. No instructor should expect to use all the instructional resources available. e. Not one instructional resources is universally superior to others. Each instructional material should be regarded as useful in itself and for certain purpose. Sources of Instructional Aids One of the biggest drawbacks in the use of instructional materials is the lack or non availability of these aids. There are sources of materials that the teacher could consider. a. b. c. d. e. Various periodicals and magazines Stores, factories and commercial concern of all sorts Commercially produced materials of all sorts. Educational films from various audio visual centers Collections of specimens and relics

f. Cooperative preparation of materials with students such as bulletin boards, exhibits, magnetic boards and graphics.

IV. Conclusion/Recommendation Many students nowadays had a multisensory approach to learning. They learn through visual, auditory, and kinesthetic aspects. Example auditory learners need to hear themselves talking about their learning in order to remember the material. Reading aloud often helps such learners. This means teachers/ professors must have multisensory teaching approach and multisensory aids when teaching. Remember teachers play a vital role in the classroom environment. College professor should choose teaching method or approach that works effectively with their students. Adopt to change and try new teaching strategies that are up to date. Attend workshops, trainings or seminar that can positively affect how teaching skills, which in turn will help students learn more.