Answer :TASK: REPORT ON THE LEARNING RESOURCES Show Introduction Learning resources are primarily any tool that facilitates the process of learning for both the teachers and the students. Learning resources in contemporary times are more than outdated study materials and its effectiveness is dominated by the variation in the teaching process and innovative learning materials. Every individual has its own learning needs and learning style. In a similar manner, every teacher uses different teaching and learning resources that indicates towards the effectiveness of the teaching process. This report attempts to shed light upon different teaching and learning resources during the teaching practice in the time of the teacher training. Along with the purpose of the resources, this report also present a detailed analysis of different learning and teaching techniques and resources in order to understand the effectiveness of using different innovative learning resources. Purpose of resources in teaching and learning Learning resources are often considered as educational materials for instance long and tedious printed classroom textbooks with outdated information and content which can primarily covers the breadth of any particular subject but it often fails to cover the depth of the subject. Learning resources are more than that and it can be summed up as various tools that provide the teachers with the opportunity of teaching effectively in order to offer an easier learning process to the students (Savery, 2015). Teaching materials or learning resources are designed mainly to support teaching and learning in different contexts. The major purpose of learning and teaching resources is to provide a source of learning experience that is effective enough to invoke interaction among students and teachers in the learning or teaching process (Savery, 2015). An effective learning resource has the ability of helping the students in the learning process and broaden the learning experience of the students along with meeting the learning needs of the students. Effective usage of proper learning resources help the students to construct more than superficial knowledge that is building in depth knowledge on a particular subject and also developing their individual learning strategies, values, attitudes and generic skills. It is important to use proper learning resources in the teaching process in order to build a solid foundation for lifelong learning. Effectiveness of specific resources in meeting individual learning needs in teaching and learning context Classification of learning and teaching resources In this age of technological advancement learning and teaching resources are not confined to textbooks and they are available in several different forms like reference books, workbooks, worksheets, web-based learning materials, computer based learning, structured coursework and audio-visual teaching aids. Libraries and learning communities also serve as effective tools in the natural environment of learning (Savery, 2015). Specific learning resources have their own credibility in meeting individual learning needs and few of the effective resources that are used in the senior secondary curriculum are evaluated below in order understand their individual effectiveness.
Textbooks are considered to be the primary learning resource that provides the learners core elements of learning in the subjects that are recommended by the Curriculum Development Council. Selection of the textbooks is an important process as textbooks are mainly used as the primary tool to develop the critical and creative perspective of the students along with their other generic skills thorough activities and information provided in the textbooks. Experts have opined that quality textbooks have the ability to assist the teachers by providing a one stop shop for the aiding materials that are helpful in planning the scope and sequence of their teaching (Savery, 2015). Selecting appropriate textbooks is important for effective learning and the following guidelines need to be followed:
Apart from the primary learning resources the table below sheds light on the resources that can be used in teaching the learners in an outdoor environment.
Principles of resource design Learning resource design is a design of learning experience. The primary purpose of resource designing is to support a particular learning goal or objective or in order o address a defined challenge or problem in a particular learning environment (Beetham and Sharpe, 2013). Effective learning design is a result of productive collaboration among the content experts, learning practitioners and learners. Learning resource designing is guided by few principles and they are;
The prime motif of this principle is to honour the intention, experience and expertise of the teacher and help one to achieve the goals by leveraging used learning resources.
It primarily indicates small step development along with early and frequent feedbacks. This is necessary in order t provide a resource design that supports in achieving the goals.
Collaboration is supported through clear roles, documentation and decision making principles.
In order to learn from the resources in is important to develop focus along with that provide the learners with usable resources as quickly as possible.
Sustainability of any learning design or project is dependent on the consideration. Usage of theories, principle and models of inclusive curriculum design in informing resource development According to Dale’s Cone of Learning, it has been proved that the learners retain more information by doing or performing an activity rather than hearing, reading or observing. For outdoor practitioners it is important to incorporate the moot principles of this theory as it facilitates the process of providing several opportunities for the outdoor learners to participate in various activities in order to increase their practical learning through ‘doing’ rather than reading and hearing (Prosser and Trigwell, 1999). For examples, learners can read or have a basic knowledge of habitats but it is important for their lifelong learning to experience the habitat and it helps in retaining their knowledge and also invokes their curious spirit. Experiencing a habitat like woodland and participating in the learning experiences and activities that are associated with the specific habitat can result in long lasting remembrance of the particular lesson. The following figure helps in understanding the effectiveness on Dale’s Cone of Learning and Experience. Figure 1: Cone of Learning Source: (Savery, 2015) The teaching and learning cycle is consisted of identifying learning needs of the students, plan and designing the lesson, delivering, assess and evaluation. The theory of Inclusive Curriculum as defined by John Kerr is all the learning processes which are planned and guided by any educational institutions whether it is carried on in groups or individually and it can be applied to both inside and outside the institution (Savery, 2015). Curriculum theory is considered to be successful approach in the light of Aristotle’s influential classification of knowledge into three different disciplines, which are the theoretical, the practical and the productive. Figure 2: different disciplines Source: (self developed) In higher education the term curriculum and programme are used interchangeably and it is used in order to indicate the following:
Sources of resource development In a particular or specialized area in order to inform resource development, it is important to evaluate the sources that are associated with resource development (Savery, 2015). The first step of the process is to identify the sources. Identification of resources
Criteria for evaluating the resources Learning resources can be evaluated using the technique CRAAP which indicates currency, relevance, authority, accuracy and purpose (Lage, Platt and Treglia, 2000). This is an effective technique as it provides a scope for necessary evaluation of the learning resources. It is important to analyze the timeliness of a particular information in order to provide current and revised information to the learners (César and Santos, 2006). Te next step is to evaluate the relevance of the information. As there are many learning resources and they often vary from one other, it is important to analyze the relevance of the resource along with the source of the information. After the authority it is important to judge the accuracy of the information in order to understand the reliability, correctness and truthfulness of the content. The last step is to understand the purpose of the information that indicates the reason behind the existence of the information. Designing resources In order to design a learning resource it is important to consider the curriculum, ID framework and the technological specifications. In order to understand the design of the learning resource used in the teaching process following table has been provided.
The following figure presents the designing process of the learning resource for a particular learning material. Figure 3: development of resource Source: (self generated) Employment of resources One of the most effective learning resource that can help in enhancing the classroom learning experience of the students is incorporating multimedia resources (Lacey, 2001). In the classroom teaching employing a particular learning resource needs to be done carefully in accordance with the identified learning needs of the students. Employing this particular resource in the classroom learning activity suits with the learning needs of the maximum learners and it has following advantages in the learning of the students:
Ways of adapting resources to enable inclusive approach Inclusive teaching and learning indicate towards the modes of learning and teaching which are designed in order to actively engage and include the students in the classroom activities. In order to enable inclusive approach following learning resources can b adapted.
Reflection of my practice As far as my teaching practice is concerned, in my practice active use and employment of multimedia resources in the classroom activity has increased my possibility to capture the attention of the students. Along with that, I have also emphasized on the outdoor learning process which has widened the scope for including natural environment as one of the best learning resources. Based on the reaction of the students and their feedbacks i have identified my strengths and weakness in developing and using learning resources which has been illustrated in the following table.
Conclusion In the light of the above report various learning designs that have been used in the teaching process have been evaluated which has helped in the understanding of my own strengths and weakness as a teacher. What are the importance of using teaching and learning resources?The purpose and importance of teaching and learning materials is to make lessons interesting, learning easy and enable teachers to easily express concepts. Learning materials can significantly increase learners' achievement by supporting learning.
What is the impact of learning resources in the teaching learning process?The purpose and role of teaching and learning resources don't only consist of making the educational process more attractive and interesting, but also of encouraging active learning, the development of different skills and the adoption of desirable values and attitudes of students.
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