AudioVisual Aids

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Audio-Visual Aids
in the classroom
Michael Miller
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Why do we use AV aids?

• To help illustrate a lessons topic
• To get students to use the language
• To keep language learning interesting
• To improve student response rates

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visual aids
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Size Matters

• If it looks like this from the front

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Size Matters

• It looks even worse from the back

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Size Matters

• Of course, dont overdo it!

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Size Matters

• Re-arrange students for maximum visibility

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Size Matters

• Walking the visual aid but careful of drafts!

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Size Matters

• Rigid rows make it difficult to walk the visual
  aid

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Size Matters

• Re-arranging can make walking easier

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Colorful is good!

• The average student handout is low quality

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Colorful is good!

• Color is great for keeping students attention
• Bright, vibrant colors attract the eye and pique
  interest
• Color can also be used for visual cues try to
  have a consistent color scheme

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Keep it simple!

• Beware of information overload!

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Keep it simple!

• Reduce clutter, convey only essential information

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Keep it simple!

• Use one visual aid to illustrate one thing
• Use simple shapes and large, clear lettering
• Use dark colors and big, broad lines.
• Abstract or stylized representations are often
  better than the real thing

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Keep it simple
Simple, colorful but effective visual aids
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Maximize your usage.
Place essential cues on the visual aid
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Maximize your usage

• Visual cues on the card minimize time needed to
  refocus and improve student response rate

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Stay organized!
Order your visual aids and tie them to your
lesson plan!
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Stay organized!

• Number cards or print out index prints for slide
  shows

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Think outside the flashcard

• Flashcards are great, but dont limit yourself!
• Maps, photos, books and models are easy to use
  with minimum preparation
• Charts, graphs, slides and videos also work well
  with some preparation
• Variety is the spice of life! Change it up to
  keep your students interested!

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Think outside the flashcard
Stuffed animals, for example, can be used for
vocabulary drills. Beats the chalkboard!
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Think outside the flashcard
A school is a great place to get visual aids!
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Think outside the flashcard
Visual aids can be in multiple languages as well!
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Keep it simple!

• Use visual aids to keep students on the same
  page

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Think outside the flashcard
Visual aids can be handouts as well!
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Think outside the flashcard
Using a slideshow to cue responses.
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Think outside the flashcard
Remember, your students can use visual aids too!
But proper classroom management is a must.
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Prepare ahead of time
Writing on the chalkboard takes forever!
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Prepare ahead of time
If you must use the chalkboard, then pre-write it!
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Prepare ahead of time

• Poorly prepared visual aids can be hard to handle

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Prepare ahead of time

• Take the time to mount your visual aids

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Prepare ahead of time

• Dont draw things by hand if you can help it!

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Prepare ahead of time

• Take the time to create your visual aids on
  computer

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Prepare ahead of time

• Find a large enough image dont try to
  overstretch!

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Prepare ahead of time

• Students can tell if you took your time

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Integrate your visual aids

• Visual aids work best as a series

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video inthe classroom
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Keep it short...

• Students get bored easily
• Video shouldnt normally exceed a few minutes
• Carefully select your video
• Two minutes of carefully chosen video can easily
  last 15-20 minutes of class

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Its gonna be hard

• Video lessons are not easy!
• Calamity can strike at any time!
• Will only work with certain classes!
• Proper preparation is a must!

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Dont use video just cuz

• Video should never be used just for the wow
  factor.
• Remember that youre here to teach English!
• Wows will quickly turn to groans if youre not
  prepared!
• ALWAYS attach video to a solid lesson plan!

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Use video to set context

• Use video to set up a context for your lesson
• Make video relevant to your topic of discussion
• Try to create a theme
• Video should serve the lesson, not the other way
  around

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Turn off the TV!

• A blank screen is distracting!
• So is that high pitched electronic whine
• Turn off the TV or projector every time youre
  finished with it!

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Dont underestimate setup time!

• Video lessons are complicated especially the
  first few times you do them!
• Give yourself an extra few minutes to sort out
  and check everything ahead of time.
• Dont expect to be able to just dash into class
  at the last second!

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Use digital media if possible

• Try to use DVDs/PC files
• Digital media is fast, quick and accurate
• VCRs are okay, but theyre slow and noisy.

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Have a backup Plan B

• Since video lessons are so complicated, many
  things can go wrong
• Always have a backup plan that doesnt depend on
  your video clip!

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Mind the time of year

• Summer can be very hot and very bright!
• Sunlight glaring off a screen can ruin a video!
• So can passed out students!
• Generally autumn winter are the best

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Mind cultural age differences

• Find out what movies your students actually like.
• Movies and TV shows are obvious choices
• Dont limit yourself. Try things like music
  videos commercials (depending on your tastes)

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Appropriateness

• Japanese schools may be more permissive than back
  home.
• Use interesting clips, but also common sense
• Strike a balance between boring and too much

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audio aids
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Keep it short...

• Students have short attention span
• Dont overflow their foreign language buffer
• Divide long clips into several parts

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Use digital media if possible

• Tapes are difficult to use!
• CDs/.mp3s allow you to seek tracks precisely
• Its easy to record and burn a CD yourself
• .mp3s allow you to create a queue of tracks

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Check your equipment

• Simpler than video lessons, but all sorts of
  things can still go wrong...
• some old CD players might not play burned CDs
• Make sure the volume is loud enough!
• Beware of outside noise that can interfere with
  your audio aids!

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Have a backup Plan B

• Have a back up plan usually you can just stand
  in for the audio aid, however.
• Make sure you have a transcript to work from!

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Brief your JTE ahead of time

• Its generally a good idea to have the lesson
  plan written out ahead of time
• When using audio aids, its important to give the
  JTE a copy of the transcript.
• If youre after a particular answer, make sure to
  indicate it clearly on the transcript.

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Dont outsource yourself!

• Youve been hired for your lovely voice so
  dont replace it with a CD!
• Your voice itself can be an audio aid!
• Audio aids are best used for things you cant do
  yourself.

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Its a two way street

• Audio aids that involve students provide great
  feedback!

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Any Questions?