Commonly Used Materials in the Classroom

Realia• Objects from real life used in classroom

instruction by educators to improve students' understanding of other cultures and real life situations.

• Tactile and multidimensional connection between learning material and the object of the lesson.

• Simple objects that are easy to control• Minimizes risk of accident throughout

student-object interaction• Advantages:–Plentiful–Concrete learning experiences–Motivates the learner

• Disadvantages:–Not always practical• Size•Potential hazards•Cost•Need to maintain original structure

–Can be a distraction–Storage and retrieval

Models• Three-dimensional representations of real

objects• Represent structures• Scale• Advantages:–Can be manipulated–More practical than realia– Simplifies complex concepts

• Disadvantages:–Inaccuracy may lead to

misconceptions–May lead to oversimplification–May be difficult to design

Text• Alphanumeric letters and characters

presented to students in the form of printed materials

• May synthesize or elaborate on the lesson

• Provides exercises• Enrichment activities• Individual or group

• Hand-outs• Assignment sheets• Individualized

study materials• Resource/

enrichment materials for group exercises

• Activity cards• Worksheets• Tests• Books• Articles• Materials for

project development

• Advantages:–Varied approaches–Easy to bring, recopy–Not limited to the class schedule

• Disadvantages:–Preconceptions–Traditional–May divide the students’ attention

Graphic Materials• Two-dimensional pictorial representations• Include charts, graphs, drawings and

posters• For visual learners

• Advantages:– Catches attention– Simplify concepts– Impact on note-taking

• Disadvantages:–Need for clarity–Size must be appropriate for class

and classroom size–Prior knowledge

Display Board• A vertical surface on which information can

be displayed to public view• Promotes visual learning• May be used as classroom decoration• Advantages:– Interactive–May cover various topics– Engaging

• Disadvantages:–May become distracting–Time-consuming–Must be regularly monitored

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