Lesson 8: Characteristics of Appropriate Instructional Materials in Mathematics and Science Teaching PDF

**LESSON 8: Characteristics of Appropriate Instructional Materials in Mathematics and Science Teaching\ ** - **Objectives** At the end of this lesson, students should be able to: - Identify the various instructional materials (IMs) and technology tools in mathematics and science learning....

**LESSON 8: Characteristics of Appropriate Instructional Materials in Mathematics and Science Teaching\ ** - **Objectives** At the end of this lesson, students should be able to: - Identify the various instructional materials (IMs) and technology tools in mathematics and science learning. - Explain the characteristics of good/appropriate IMs and technology tools in learning mathematics and science. - Evaluate the relevance and appropriateness of ICT resources in mathematics and science learning. - **Discussion** **Introduction** Instructional Materials (IMs) are very important because it plays a major role in both teaching and student learning. IMs help to enhance the students' knowledge and abilities and are also really helpful to teachers to manage their class requirements. Many literatures were written that presents relevance of instructional materials specifically mathematics and science. With the use of instruction materials, it benefits both teacher and students to participate enthusiastically in mathematics and science learning activities. It gives the students the opportunity to master the knowledge and skills aimed by their lessons. In addition to giving students the chance to actualize their learning, the use of well-prepared IMs boosts teachers\' confidence in their ability to teach. Explore! Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) can be significantly useful as tools for mathematics and science instruction. The use of technology will have great advantage because of the interrelated topics covered in mathematics and science. With the integration of ICT in teaching, the need to process data quickly and integrate voice, music, video, pictures and text in the lesson can be fully addressed. **Computer-Based Instructional Tools and Materials in Mathematics or Science Teaching** Numerous technology tools used in teaching are fully supportive of the different types of instructional materials commonly used in mathematics and science teaching. A. **Mathematics and Science Instructional Materials Supported by Technology Tools** 1. **Instructional Charts** One of the common types of instructional materials in mathematics and science teaching and learning is a chart. Charts can be on printed materials or presented in 3D or 4D form with the help of technology. Charts can help learners present their data in a more comprehensive form and enable them to read their data with greater understanding. By this, the use of charts develops the students' critical thinking and problem-solving skills. a. ***Microsoft Word*** b. ***Microsoft Excel*** One of the main features of Microsoft Excel and other spreadsheets applications is to create charts and graphs. c. ***Microsoft PowerPoint*** PowerPoint offers various tools that can make your presentation interactive. One of its features is to present charts in a slide. d. ***iOs, Andriod, and Windows Phone and iPad Chart Maker Apps*** These are Numbers, Viz, 3D Charts, Chart Maker, Graphing Calculator HD, Roambi Analytics and Graphs **2. Posters** Many schools in the Philippines have been requiring their students to participate in poster making activities to further develop their creativity and to help them express ideas through a pictorial device. With the advent of tutorial videos on YouTube, students can develop more creative and digitalized posters. a. ***Spark Post*** Adobe Spark is a design tools that allows you to make your own posters, videos and webpages using computer or iOS mobile devices. The poster-making tool of this collection of apps is called Spark Post, offering a range of poster templates and layouts that can be used to create custom posters for sharing on social media and for print. b. ***Canva's Poster Maker*** Canva's poster maker has hundreds of templates designed by their team of professional designers. Templates have shortcuts to make great designs. c. ***Block Posters*** Block Posters can let you make your own custom poster for free. Upload an image, choose your options and then download and print out your own personalized huge poster. d. ***Posterini*** Posterini poster maker redefines the meaning of design, combining augmented reality, artificial intelligence (AI) and gamification in a unique way. e. ***PosterMyWall*** It is website that features amazing poster templates and has an easy-to-use custom graphics service. 3. **Math Drill Apps** Drill activities in mathematics provide speed and accuracy practice to students. These are used to develop the computational skills of students when properly given especially in basic education. a. It helps kids to learn all the basic math facts corresponding to basic operations in a quickly engaging manner. It generates math practice in two different modes; answer mode which allows entering answers and getting feedback and the flashcard mode allows verbal answers. b. Sushi Monster has a playful interface and characteristics to help kids expand their math skills and knowledge. c. It offers a very intuitive interface that makes it easier to use, with different levels appropriate for the learner\'s skill. Dragon Box Algebra 5+ is an app that help kids develop their problem solving and algebra skills with different levels of difficulties. d. Reflex offers an adaptive learning math for student ages 2-8. It also offers an adaptive learning environment creating scopes of learning math for students with different ability levels. e. A unique app because it creates an engaging game-like interfacewith 105 times missions allowing kids to learn and practice all mathematical actions including additions, subtraction, division and multiplication. Ideally targeted for ages 9-11. 4. **Science Apps** Science NetLinks (AAAS, 2020) made a compilation of STEM-related apps for both the iPad and Android phones. These applications will enhance the learning of students in the different field in the sciences. a. This app allows you to identify and locate stars, planets, constellations, and more by touching the screen or by pointing it to the sky. The app has built-in compass so that you can tell which direction you are pointing, and, because of the core location services, you can quickly set up your observing position. b. The beautiful illustrations and easy navigation invite you to explore six (6) interactive animated layers of the human body. Anything that a real body does, the app does it. c. This well-structured, multilingual and intuitive app makes a complex subject easy to understand and provides quick access to necessary information: details for every element, intelligent controls, numerous selection options, and much more. d. This app helps you discover how Earth works through play. You can create volcanoes, sculpt mountains, push around tectonic plates, form glaciers, and control the forces of nature with your fingertips. e. Masked as a puzzle game, Agent Higgs can help you learn about particle physics in a way you've never done before. 5. **Slide** Among the various types of materials that are available for projection, slides and film strips are the foremost visual aids. Nowadays, innovative and stimulating presentation applications are commonly used by teachers. These presentation software applications have very good features that can make the presentation of lessons near to seeing real objects and subjects. Some of these are: a. According to Segundo and Salazar (2011), Powerpoint has become the world's most widely used presentation program and is a complete presentation-looking presentation in EFL classrooms. b. Semaan and Ismail (2018) stated in their research that PowToon is a web-based tool that offers a wide array of media options, graphics, cartoons, and animated images to create animated presentations that flow smoothly and logically. PowToon features classroom accounts for project-based learning. This app paves the way towards teaching higher order thinking skills like critical thinking, summarizing, and problem-solving which are basic skills for a successful global citizen in the 21^st^ Century. c. A cloud-based presentation; hence, it is always available because you can always access it anytime there is net connection using your PC, Chrome Book, Android etc. Since it is part of the Google' Software Office Suite within the Google Drive, you can also easily share it with yor students in your mathematics or science classes. d. This software is very similar to other presentation software like PowerPoint and prezi. Its notable features are its templates which can be used to make presentation more visually appealing. e. Houska (2013) stated that Prezi is taking some hold in some disciplines and circles. Just like Powerpoint Presentations, there are also several researches that claim Prezi is commonly used for presentation in academic instruction. These presentation can be an excellent starting point for tech-savvy instructors looking to reinvigorate their classroom instruction or present material in a novel, engaging format. 6. **Work Sheets and Forms** A worksheet is not only completed on printed materials but these can also be accomplished through the web. By the use of some word processing software like Microsoft Word, a teacher can also develop electronic forms. a. Google Forms b. Monkey Survey Form c. Paper Forms d. Survey Planet e. Quick TapSurvey f. Type Form g. Cognito Form h. Ninja Forms 7. **Newsletters** A newsletter can be used in mathematics and science teaching and learning. Preparing a newsletter will develop the concept formation of students as well as their mathematical and scientific vocabulary building and technical writing skills through drafting, revising, editing and publishing. Through interacting with others in the class, students will also learn how to work within a team. Moreover, the following skills can also be developed: - Receptiveness to the mathematical and scientific language to be used - Writing, spelling, grammar, drafting, revising and editing - imagination, confidence in using technical writing skills - Use of credible references The following are also important to consider when preparing for a newsletter (explorer, n.d.): - Accuracy: Ensure the facts are right (including how to spell names). Always use the five Ws and H (Who, What, When, Where, Why, How?) - Audience: Who will read the paper? Is your story of interest to them? - Research: Always check facts that you have collected. Use reference materials if needed. - Images: Don\'t leave the images to the last minute. Always think how the image that can be used with the article can grab the reader\'s attention. - Writing: what is the WOW factor of the story? Start with a good lead. Remember that you want to grab the reader\'s attention and then want to read more. Use the worksheet below to assist with writing stories. 8. **Pamphlets** A pamphlet is a small, unbound booklet focused on a single subject, often educational in nature. Pamphlets are non-periodical. They are written for the layman, simply and without excessive jargon. Authors present text and images in an organized fashion to communicate a clear message. Pamphlets can be folded in a variety of ways, such as in half, in thirds, or in fourths (Lucid Press, 2020). The sample technology tools that you can use to develop your pamphlets are: a. ***Microsoft Publisher*** b. ***Adobe Spark*** c. ***Lucid Press*** 9. **Brochures** A brochure is used to advertise a company and its products or services (Lucid Press, 2020). Some applications that you may use to develop your brochures are: a. ***Microsoft Publisher*** b. ***Canva*** c. ***Venngage*** d. ***Visme*** e. ***Flipsnack*** 10. **Cartoons** A cartoon is a simple picture of an amusing situation, sometimes it is a satirical comment on a serious or topical issue. A strip cartoon is a sequence of framed drawings, which tell a story. Both types are to be found in newspapers, magazines and leaflets. In development situations a cartoon is a method of conveying a specific message. Cartoon pictures enable people to discuss sensitive issues and so are useful for teaching and training. Cartoon strips can be used to teach sequencing and ordering to students. Find, or draw, a cartoon strip with between three and eight separate frames. Cut out each frame and rearrange them so that they are in the wrong order. Stick them down in the new order and make one copy for each group. Ask them to cut each frame out and put them in the correct order. Before you do this, show the students an example on the chalkboard of pictures in the wrong order and ask them to put them in the correct sequence. The above exercise can also be used in a workshop or training session, using a topic related to the subject of the workshop or session. As it encourages discussion and team decision-making, it can be introduced as an icebreaker. The less obvious the order, the more interactive the process will be as each group may suggest different answers. This creates an opportunity for each group to explain their answers and defend their position (Ajoke, 2017). There are cartoon making software that can be paid online but the following are free cartoon making software that you may use or let your students use: a\. **Animaker** b\. **Pencil 2D** c\. **Synfig** d\. **Inkskape** e\. **Pixton** 11. **Journals** Journals are records of personal insights and experiences of students. This can serve also as instructional materials to be used by teachers to be able to manage the reflections and insight interactions in the class. Journal writing is a very good activity that a teacher can let the students do because they have the freedom to write their thoughts and feelings about the learning experiences. The following are some examples of free technological applications that can be used to help students write their journals digitally: **a. Perspective App by Blinky** **b. Journey Journal App** **c. Momento Journal App** **d. Penzu Journal App** **e. Diaro Journal App** 12. **Bulletins Boards** Digitally, a teacher can develop an online bulletin board where he or she may post some mathematics and or science activities or information that are helpful for the students\' acquisition of the mathematics or science competencies. There are applications (Ferlazzo, 2011) that can be used for this purpose and these are: a. ***Wallwisher (now called Padlet)*** This was the first online application that let you easily place virtual post-it notes on a virtual corkboard or bulletin board, and allow you to post text, images and/or videos on them. b. ***Corkboard Me*** This is now called NoteApp which is a Wallwisher-like tool. The site has the ability to embed your virtual bulletin boards. Other features include real-time collaboration and a chat room for the people collaborating. c. ***Popplet*** You can make an online \"bulletin-board\" with virtual \"post-its\" (called \"popplets\". And, except for the fact you have to register to use it, Popplet is just as easy and, in some ways, easier to use with a lot more functionality. d. ***Spaaze*** This is similar to the others on this list. Registration is required. e. ***Group Zap*** This app joins a long list of online virtual \"corkboards.\" It has some nice features, including the ability to convert your board to a PDF and being able to \"drag-and-drop\" images and documents from your files. f. ***Real-time Board*** This is an online whiteboard that seemed like a decent tool for real-time collaboration. It\'s easy to use, and lets you upload images from your computer or by its URL address They offer free \"Pro\" accounts to educators. **References:** Espique, F.P, and Silva, D.D., 2021, Technology in Teaching and Learning 2. Mathematics and Science Education, Publisher Lorimar Publishing, Inc. Philippines