Using Dioramas in Language Learning

Conventional Learning Resources

• Instructional materials stimulate and facilitate learning, and many media and styles of visual presentation are useful for language learners.
• All audio-visual materials have positive contributions to language learning if used at the right time and place.
• Learners use their eyes and ears in the learning process, with eyes playing a basic role.

Diorama

• A diorama is a small scene created with layers of materials, depicting a concept or theme.
• It can display a historical time period, nature scene, or fictional situation.
• To develop a diorama, choose a concept, research the subject, make a rough sketch, and gather supplies.

Nature Table

• A nature table is a table containing objects or scenes related to the current season, festival, or ecosystem.

Writing Board

• A writing board can display information written with chalk (chalkboard or blackboard) or special pens (whiteboard).
• It is still the most commonly used visual aid.

Flip Chart

• A flip chart is a large tablet or pad of paper, usually on a tripod or stand.

Zigzag Board

• A zigzag board is a multi-board series of three or four rectangular boards, joined by hinges.
• Each board can be of a different type (e.g., whiteboard, chalkboard, fannel board).
• The size of the boards depends on the intended use.

Wall Display

• A wall display is a collection of items and materials on a classroom wall, used to convey information to the community.
• It can consist of students' own work and is a tried and tested educational method.

Rope and Pole Display Board

• A rope and pole display board consists of two parallel, horizontal poles tied loosely together with rope.
• Visual aids like posters can be pinned to the rope.
• This type of display board is useful when there are few solid walls for displaying information.

Guidelines for Designing Conventional Instructional Materials

• Unity: use one idea per visual aid and include a headline.
• Simplicity: keep ideas and relationships simple and easy to recall, avoiding clutter.
• Legibility: make letters big and readable for the audience.
• Consistency: use the same type style and art style.
• Clarity: avoid small type and all caps.

Digital Learning Resources

Using Mobile Phone and the QR Code

• A QR code is a code created by Denso-Wave in 1994, connecting the physical world with the electronic world.
• QR stands for Quick Response, allowing fast decoding of information.
• QR codes are popular in Japan and used by companies to attach to their products, providing URLs or product information.
• To read QR codes, you need a mobile phone with a camera and a QR code reader/scanner application.