Developmentally appropriate methods of teaching refer to an approach of teaching based on research on how children learn and develop.
They include;
- understanding child development and learning in formal education
It entails what characterises each developmental stage of a child. This guide is in choice of the best suited methods of imparting skills and knowledge.
- Knowing the appropriate method for each individual child
These assist in teaching and caring for all children at an individual level.
- Understanding the relevant cultural aspects of a child.
It is important to know the child’s background value and factors that influence their lives. This helps in providing respectful and appropriate learning experiences.
How instructional materials and resources are used to enhance a lesson
Instructional materials are items or objects that are designed to serve as a major tool to assist in teaching a subject matter.
The three types of instructional materials are written descriptions, actual objects and phenomena and representations of objects and phenomena.
Instructional resources on the other hand are used to evaluate student’s conceptualisation and internalisation of the information and knowledge imparted.
Written descriptions refer article written to describe an object or item in cases where reaching the actual items may not be possible or expensive. To bring to the attention of the learners it requires a vivid description of such items. A good example would be to explain the existence of dinosaur. It is hard for a learner to conceptualize the existence of this creature though vivid description may help to understand.
Actual objects and phenomena entail having direct access to the object or scene in question.
It may require field trips since not all objects are portable to a classroom or a study area setup.
This direct experience with the objects enhances conceptualisation and understanding as it is more of apprenticeship than theory.
Representation of objects or phenomena refers to models or prototypes that emulate the actual object. They are only symbolic images of the actual objects. A good example is the globe model. From the globe a learner gets to understand the framework of the latitudes and longitudes though they are not practically visible. All these in unison help to trigger the degree of understanding and conceptualisation.
Use of technology in reinforcing lesson’s developmental goals and objectives
Technology has a vast area of application in lesson development.
After the tutor has come up with the goals of the lesson, it is of vital importance to device mechanisms to deliver the content of the lesson to the learners. Learners have different degrees of perception to the vast methods of lesson delivery. Application of technological methods of lesson delivery is a point to consider when it comes to this area.
First it attracts the learners’ attention and improving their participation throughout the period of lesson delivery. Most learners have a greater curiosity to interact with technology. Availing this hand tool improves their appreciation to the lesson activity.
Second, for a tutor it is easier to demonstrate representations using slides. It’s also possible to have audio tutorials being offered to learners if the tutor does not have the ability to directly interact with the learners maybe through audio devices.
Three it is possible to make scientific prototypes that represent the actual objects. This may include simulations. It is with technology that these are possible.
Four analyzing students performance is easier and faster when it comes to the application of technology.
As a tool for knowledge transfer a tutor can use sited references available from the internet where students can get additional content of the lesson. Internet is purely technology.
All this is aimed at improving the learners perception understanding and conceptualization of the lesson.
