Meaning, Types, Need And Importance Of Teaching Aids

Meaning of Teaching Aids

The objects or equipments which are used to make teaching learning process interesting are known as teaching aid. We use these aids for better learning.With the help of these teaching aid we can provide clear-cut understanding of the topic to students. Teaching aids are also referred as Audio-Visual aids.

Definitions of teaching aids

According to Burton, “Audio visual are those sensory objects or images which initiate or stimulate and reinforce learning.

According to Kinder S James, “Audio - Visual aids are any device which can be used to make learning experience more concrete, more realistic and more dynamic.

Types of teaching aids:

 Generally there are three types of teaching aids:

1. Audio aids: 

These aids use the sense of hearing. Examples are: Radio, television, Gramophone, Linguaphone.

2. visual aids:

These aids use the sense of vision. Examples are: Charts, Pictures, Models, whiteboard, Smart boards, Maps, Video games, Slides, Projectors etc.

3.Audio-Visual aids: 

These aids use the sense of both hearing as well as vision.Examples are: Television, Drama, Sound motion pictures etc.

Note: Audio-Visual aids can be further classified as: (a) Projected and (b) Non projected aids.

Projected aids includes Projectors, Slides, Sound motion films etc.

Non Projected aids includes Charts, Models, Pictures, Maps, Whiteboard, Magnetic board, Bulletin board, Radio, Tape recorder etc.

Objectives of Teaching Aids

Teaching aids has the following important objectives:

1. One of the major objective of teaching aid is to develop the interest among the students in their subjects. 
2. To develop the teaching skills in the teachers.
3. To provide education to every child according to their capabilities.
4. To make the teaching learning material more interesting.
5. To make the teaching learning material understandable.

Need and Importance of Teaching Aids

Teaching aids play an important role in classroom teaching. Importance of teaching aids are as follows:-

1. Clear understanding:

With the help of teaching aids teacher can provide clear understanding of the subject matter to the students. Various concepts of mathematics and phenomena of science can be clarified for the students.

2. Make teaching learning process interesting: 

Teaching aids make the teaching learning process more interesting. Students become curious about learning new things through teaching aids. Teacher can use pictures, graphs, charts, models, posters and projectors to make the teaching learning process more interesting.

3. Expand teaching skills: 

Teaching aids help to enhance the teaching skills of the teacher. With the help of these aids teacher can provide the information in a exciting and interesting way. Thus teachers can make their teaching more enjoyable.

4. Habit of study: 

Teaching aids help the students to take more interest in studies. Students can set specific goals for themselves and can make improvements in their academic performance. Thus teaching aids help to develop study habits in students.

5. Save time: 

With the help of teaching aids teacher can provide the information in a easy and more convenient way and thus help to save teacher’s time and energy. Many complex topics can be easily presented to the students with the help of these aids.

6. Provide experience: 

Teaching aids give direct experience to students and provide complete practical picture of the concept to the students. Thus students grasp the concepts easily when they are taught with specific teaching aids.

7. Develop motor skills: 

Teaching aids help to develop motor skills in the students as they actively participate in classroom activities. They come to know how to use and maintain different types of teaching aids.

8. Increase attention span: 

Teaching aids help to increase the attention span of the child.Students pay more attention in the classroom activities and they can retain the concepts for longer period of time.

9. Scientific attitude: 

Teaching aids help to develop scientific attitude among the students. Students become more open-minded, rational, responsible, and curious. Students get to know the actual concept behind the phenomena.

Frequently Asked Questions:

What are teaching aids?

Teaching aids make the teaching learning process more interesting and enjoyable. Generally there are three types of teaching aids:

•  Audio aids.
• Visual aids.
• Audio-visual aids.

What are the advantages of teaching aids?

The advantages of teaching aids are:

• Save time.
• Provide direct experience.
• Provide clear understanding 
• Develop scientific attitude
• Improve teaching skills