Teaching becomes highly effective in classrooms at different levels of school education when teachers adopt innovative techniques along with various teaching aids. This chapter discusses some important teaching aids.

Like teachers of other subjects, the science teacher aims to teach their subject as effectively as possible to achieve the objectives of science education. To achieve effective communication, the teacher often uses aids known as teaching aids or audio-visual aids in the teaching-learning process.

Functions of Teaching Aids

• It inspires and arouses curiosity among students about the subject.
• It provides opportunities for students to participate in different activities.
• It makes the subject interesting, simple, and entertaining.
• It simplifies difficult parts of the chapter, making them easier to understand.
• It develops students' interest in the subject.
• It makes lessons impactful and the teaching-learning process impressive.

Types of Teaching Aids

Teaching aids are categorized into the following types:

Audio Aids

These aids, like radio, tape recorder, etc., help learners acquire knowledge through their auditory senses.

Visual and Activity Aids in Teaching

Visual Aids

Visual aids such as charts, pictures, models, epidiascope, microprojector, filmstrips, etc., help learners acquire learning experiences through their visual senses.

Audio-Visual Aids

Audio-visual aids like television, motion pictures, video-films, living objects, etc., allow learners to utilize both auditory and visual senses for gaining desired learning experiences.

Activity Aids

Activity aids involve students in useful activities to facilitate learning through sight, sound, and doing. Examples of activity aids in science education include:

• Science excursions and visits.
• Science exhibitions and fairs.
• Science museums.
• Nature study corners.
• Experimentation in the laboratory and workshop.

Classification of Teaching Aids

Teaching aids can also be classified into hardware and software:

• Hardware: Includes equipment like epidiascope, projectors, radio, television, tape recorder, video, teaching machines, and computers.
• Software: Includes aid materials like pictures, printed material, graphics (charts, maps, diagrams), three-dimensional objects (models, specimens, actual objects), slides, film strips, audio and visual tapes.

Hardware is dependent on software for its functionality, while many software aids can function independently.

Basic Structures Related to Teaching Aids

• In every primary school, there should be an activity room equipped with pictures, charts, and models prepared by students or teachers for conducting small group activities.
• The science room should include a large globe, models of body organs, puzzles, scientific toys, books, reference books, and encyclopedias suitable for the age group of students.
• The activity room should be equipped with famous science books, teacher guides, dictionaries, etc., to serve as a small workshop room for activities.
• Blackboards/whiteboards should be utilized for drawing concept maps, diagrams, etc.
• At upper primary levels, necessary science equipment and design samples should be available to encourage students to make models.
• At senior and higher secondary levels, well-equipped laboratories, internet access, and multimedia facilities should be provided to enhance activity-based learning.
• Mobile scientific labs should be set up at town, district, and state levels to increase science awareness among students.

Good Textbooks

Books are an essential part of the teaching-learning process as they are inexpensive and easily available. However, students should not just memorize the text of science; they should understand it to make it meaningful in the long run.

Improvement of Writing Process

Books based on curriculum design should be written and developed to make science teaching more effective. Teachers should play a crucial role in developing the content of these books. Text matter related to traditions, research, and feedback actions should be incorporated into the textbooks to enhance their quality.

Laboratory, Workshop & Library

Learning by doing is not implemented in many of our schools, especially in rural areas, due to lack of resources. Effective utilization of materialistic resources and skilled teachers can make science teaching and learning more effective.

Use of ICT in Science Education

• ICT plays a vital role in imparting science education at the school level.
• Software for different disciplines of science should be made available to schools.
• Internet access in schools provides a platform for students to connect and participate at international levels.
• Hardware and software of computers can be developed for school students to measure temperature, light intensity, humidity, etc.
• Community radio programmes on FM also play an important role in disseminating educational programmes for school students. Selected schools can develop and broadcast educational programmes to schools in remote areas.

Selection of Teaching Aids

Teaching aids are essential for achieving the teaching-learning and instructional objectives of a lesson. Teachers must consider the following principles while selecting appropriate teaching aids:

1. Relevancy: The aid used should be relevant to the topic.
2. Suitability: It should suit the topic to make its study comprehensive, interesting, and effective.
3. Educative: The aid should have specific educational value, not just for entertainment.
4. Best Substitute for First-Hand Experience: The aid should be a realistic and accurate representation or substitute for first-hand experiences.
5. Learner-Centred: The aid should suit the age, grade level, interests, and characteristics of the students.
6. Simplicity: It should be simple in construction and use, conveying its message clearly.
7. Environment-Centred: The aid should suit the physical, social, and cultural environment of the students.
8. Practicability: It should be selected based on available resources, cost-effectiveness, and suitability for the classroom.
9. Objectives Attainment: The aid should help in achieving the learning or instructional objectives of the topic.