Does it have what it takes?

In a job interview applicants are ask about their strengths and weaknesses. Employers do this to assess if the applicant can perform the job responsibilities and adapt to the corporate culture, vision/mission etc. Simply said, employers want to know if the applicant has what it takes to do the job well and fit  the company. In order to identify which type(s) of instructional media to utilized to get the job done, educators must understand each types strengths and limitations.

Keeping with the analogy, getting the job done for educators is when learners achieve the learning objectives. Instructional media and materials are tools that can help educators enhance and facilitate learning to achieve learning objectives. But which instructional media and material should be used? The answers to this quick guide can be of help- 1) Identify the learning objectives, 2) recognize the learning styles, 3) determine the teaching and learning system 4) know the existing and available instructional media 4) analyzed the instructional media and materials’ strengths and limitations 5) professional knowledge of educator in the design and/or application of the instructional media and material.

As mentioned in one of the reading resources for this module, for a particular teaching and learning system, there are instructional media and materials that are best to use to help achieve a specific learning objective. I have been homeschooling my kids for about two years and have an individualized system. I cannot use the instructional media and materials for mass instruction. I have deeper knowledge of my learners and their learning styles, I have understanding and will lean heavily on media and materials that match my daughter’s learning style. My eldest daughter is a visual learner and loves to take notes, write and copy, read books and watch short videos when learning.  Also, in homeschooling the instructional media and materials would oftentimes be more than a supportive resource thus careful consideration should be given or else the desired learning outcomes will not be achieved. 

There are several factors to consider in deciding what instructional media and materials to be used by educators. Knowledge on each strength and limitation is important. Benefits like improving learner engagement and motivation can lead to a fast, effective and enjoyable learning. Educators’ ability to utilize and optimize the instructional media’s strength like manually operate the multimedia system  when needed should be part of the consideration. In addition, educators can choose the best in instructional media and material that will deliver concrete experiences that lead to increasing retention. When choosing, a lot of thoughtful consideration is taking place and the knowledge of strength and limitation of the instructional media and material is critical for success and should be given enough time and planning.