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Today more than ever, the use of learning materials in teaching is crucial to student success. The instructional aspects of a given lesson plan in any classroom depend on the selection, creation, and implementation of course materials. Course materials are the technological or physical resources teachers can use to help them present course material. Teaching materials like visual aids, audio text, and interactive materials such as learning tools and games, structured partner and group activities, and textbooks can supplement teacher instruction and keep students engaged and interested while learning new knowledge. Course materials differ slightly from course resources, which refers more to the places in which teachers can find ideas, materials, and support. Course materials should be adjusted and planned to reflect and enhance age and ability level content. Materials should not be brand new or feel unusual for the teacher so that they can be used effectively and smoothly in the classroom – for instance, teachers should take time to prepare if the materials they select for a lesson are difficult or unfamiliar, especially in regard to technology. Teaching materials range from simple matching vocabulary games and worksheet templates to interactive whiteboards and videos. The materials, when used properly by the teacher, are very useful in supplementing instruction and encouraging active student participation and success. Course materials like can be used in any of the ETA lesson structure phases. The engage phase may prompt the class with broad questions to elicit vocabulary and interest students. Course materials like predetermined games may be most appropriate in this stage. Course materials best used in the study phase could include note cards, worksheets, charts, or other more concrete, focused materials. Completing a pre-made worksheet in class allows students to practice skills in a controlled setting with peers as well as teacher feedback. Worksheet practice may involve practicing varying aspects of a skill as well as repeating the same concept throughout the worksheet, reinforcing the skills learned in the lesson. In activate, there may be a script or a scenario written on a card, an interactive OHT activity, or other material prompting students to focus on fluency and usage. All the course materials help students in some stage of developing, practicing, and using new language knowledge. From the teacher’s perspective, course materials like a textbook or a course book help them to create a tried and true framework in which each lesson plan can be created and implemented. Course materials can offer a sense of routine to teachers and consequently, to their students. Having weekly routines with specific favorite or particularly useful materials gives both students and teachers associations and structure. For instance, planning to play a fun learning game every Friday can give students a sense of something to expect and look forward to while also creating a clear reason for them to study and participate all week in class. In this way, course materials enhance learning by providing structure and routine to the classroom. The use of course materials varies from teacher to teacher and from class to class. Materials must be adjusted to meet and address the needs and abilities of the class, which depends on the range of individual student learning styles. In order to differentiate and activate each present learning style, a wide range of materials and activities should be used, from individual study to class discussions, from worksheets and overhead transparency activities to lively games and quiet vocabulary word searches. Overall, course materials and resources are an invaluable component of instruction and should be incorporated to the best of the teacher’s ability.
