It is very difficult to imagine today’s educational process without the use of various teaching and learning resources. Not only to make the process more attractive and interesting for student’s, but also to encourage active learning and develop various skills.
Learners in general have different learning styles, some of them are Auditory Learners. Students with this style prefer oral instruction because they are able to recall what they hear. They learn by listening and speaking. We also have Visual Learners. Visual learners prefer written instructions because they will be able to recall what they see. They enjoy working with: computer graphic, cartoons, maps, graphs, charts, posters, and others. Another learning style is Tactile Learners. Learners with this strength learn best by touching. They will learn best by: drawing, playing board games or making models. Kinesthetic Learners also learn by touching objects. They need to involve their whole body in learning and they remember material best if they act it out.
Because we have different learning styles, learning resources should not be confined to textbooks. Resources are available in different forms such as: books, web-based learning materials, libraries, online libraries, videos, internet and media. If we use different resources, we will be able to cater for learner diversity. A great example of an activity that uses multiple resources is Owlypia. Not only ones learning style is adapted in Owlypia’s various resources, but you also will be able to develop learning strategies, generic skills, values and attitudes. One of the great benefits when studying for Owlypia challenges, is that it encourages self-access and independent learning.
Interested students can participate in these challenges choosing one of the five subjects which are: Art & Design, Economics & Business, Science & Technology, Literature & Culture or Social Sciences. When a student wants to prepare for the subject they choose, they can find a variety of resources to read, watch, listen or analyze. With the help of these resources, students can really study the subject in its entirety. Resources Owlypia provides include; books, to get detailed information from them, related to the topic. Books introduce learners to new expressions, words and concepts. They allow them to learn at their own pace, and they can easily go back to something they didn’t understand, and re-read it. Another resource is movies, which combine music, images, special effects and dialogue to make students really understand the topic or the theme.
Movies teach them to see thing outside of their own perspective, and get another view over the subject they are studying for. Different articles as part of Owlypia’s resources, are a good way to get deeper understanding of different topics related to the subject one is studying for. Another resource is videos, which increase the motivation in learners and keeps them engaged. Videos also add another dimension to learning that makes learners educational experience more effective. And the last resource is research about an important person, who impacted the topic one is studying for. Learners research about famous writers, artists, scientists, and people who inspire with their great work and determination. They get to see what hard-work can lead you to.
Using multiple resources while learning has various advantages like:
• Access to up-to-date information
• Flexibility
• Relevant reading materials
• Independent learning
• Others
However, learners should evaluate whether the information they find is authentic, reliable and if it matches the information they are looking for. Once they have found their resources, they have to use them to their full potential for learning. It takes some creative thinking and some organizing to make these resources a regular part of their learning process.
Written by Blerta Zhara, Teacher