Instructional Media

What is the Instructional Media?

The National Education Association defines that media are the forms of communication either printed or audiovisual. Scanlan states that instructional media encompasses all the materials and physical means an instructor and teacher might use to implement instruction  and facilitate learners' achievement of instructional objectives. This may include traditional materials such as chalkboards, handouts, charts, slides, overheads, real objects, flash card and videotape or film, as well newer materials and methods such as computers, DVDs, CD-ROMs, the Internet, and interactive video conferencing. According to Richard (1992),in general term, media means for television, radio and newspapers considered as a whole and as ways of entertaining of spreading news or information to a large number of people.

Whatever the definitions of media are, there is a guideline which can be stated about media. Media is anything used to send message(s) from the sender(s) to the receiver(s), so it can be aroused the learners’ thought, feeling, and interest to gear the students’ learn. On the other hand, teaching aids are used by teachers to impart and emphasize on information, stimulate interest, and facilitate the learning process. They range from simple to sophisticated one sand they can be aural, visual, or computerized. A good media is like a window. It should not be called attention to itself; it should just have been let in the light. In general, teacher should use the media in his or her best judgment. It can be facilitated learning or increasing the understanding of materials

 Among the implicit goals that media can be helped by teachers to achieve are as follows: attracting attention, developing interest, adjusting the learning climate and promoting acceptance (of an idea).
Media is very useful in learning the English language. Teachers instructors and learners are helped by using media to achieve the learning goals. So, The teachers should apply the media in teaching - learning activities because:
1. Instructional media can be solved the lack of the learners’ experiences. Learners have different background such as family life, society, social economic, etc. Learners who live at different areas will have different experiences, because they have different environment, society, social economic, etc.
2. Instructional media can be reached everything out of the class. There are so many things around the learners that can not be reached by themselves, such as: bacteria, virus, etc. To know and see those tiny
things, we must use a microscope as a media. We use a picture top resent things which can not be
brought into the classroom such as: markets, stations, harbors.
3. Instructional media are created the possible direct interaction between the learners and their environment.
4. Media are produced some observation. The learners’ observation can be directed into the important
things based on the teachers aims.
5. Media can be kept the basic, concrete and real concept of the teaching.
6. The learners’ motivation are aroused by using media in learning.

dvantages and Limitations of Intructional Media

The Advantages and Limitations of Instructional Media

The benefits of accessible instructional materials (AIM) are self-evident. Without AIM, students who cannot see, manipulate, or recognize words in printed text cannot get information normally conveyed in it. Other students who prefer or find one of the four specialized formats - braille, large print, audio, and digital text - more effective for gaining and processing information may feel impede by having curricular materials in only one format, printed text.  Beyond access, the unique qualities of each specialized formats have educational advantages and limitations.

Advantages of Text

Text whether in print, large print, digital text, or braille is a representation of spoken language in a different format. Text reduces the memory demands of spoken language by providing a lasting record. Information conveyed in text can be organized into a form that is logical, linear, and concise.  The permanence of text and the coherent structure of documents also support attention and comprehension. Text allows us to make our thinking visible and easier to refine. We can express rough ideas into a word processor and then read, revise, and perfect them. Our cumulative knowledge can be advanced by communicating and collaborating across time and distance with others who can read, reflect, add to, critique or challenge our thinking and understanding.

Limitations of Text

Text also has limitations. The most obvious drawback of text as a knowledge building and communication tool is that it lacks the inherent expressiveness of speech. When speech is transcribed into text, it loses many of its unique qualities - tone, rhythm, pace and repetition that helps to reduce memory demands and support comprehension. A transcript may accurately record the spoken words, but the strategic and emotive qualities and impact of speech are diminished on the page. Furthermore, the cognitive demands of organizing ideas into acceptable syntax, conventions, and presentational form can pose significant barriers to using text for expression among both novice and expert writers alike. We think in images or word fragments. Ideas float in and out of our heads—and rarely in a linear or conventional way. Writing attempts to shape that free-forming, dynamic process of thought into a single, sequential output of sentences and paragraphs. Some individuals may have all these creative ideas in their imaginative mind, but because their mind is so much quicker and richer than the pen, when they put ink to parchment, the outcome is a blank sheet of paper.

Advantages of Speech

Human speech has enormous expressive power. It offers a wonderfully rich vocal orchestration that enables us to express meanings clearly and energetically, beyond what words and syntax alone can convey. With our voices, we can vary intonation, pace, volume, and pitch to emphasize significant points, clarify intent and point of view, sharpen impact, provide background and emotional tone (such as sarcasm or irony), and even alter meaning. When we speak directly instead of reading text, we also tend to emphasize or clarify our words through physical cues, such as facial expression, gestures, motion, and posture. Speech is also interactive in that we can alter our tone, expressions, and gestures based on our audience's responses. Developmentally, we learn to listen and speak at a much earlier age than learning to read and write. The path from thoughts to spoken words is also more fluid than from thoughts to text. For some individuals, speech is an easier, more natural and engaging way to express their thinking and knowledge.

Limitations of Speech

Sound is transient. In order to draw meaning from speech, the listener must hear, remember, and integrate a live stream of words as they are spoken. When listening to an audio book for an extended period, the listener's memory can be easily overloaded. Unlike expert public speakers who employ techniques such as repetition, rhythm, facial expression, and gestures to reduce memory load and support comprehension, human and synthetic read aloud of a passage lack such oral and presentational elements when audio rendering text. Students who are learning through listening have to develop new learning strategies. Novice listeners may only be able to concentrate and understand audio content for about five minutes. Just as it takes time and practice to develop reading strategy skills, it will take time and practice for students to develop active listening strategies and become proficient at learning through listening.

The Dynamic Interaction between AIM and Learner Differences

This section focused predominantly on the advantages and limitations of different media supported in each specialized formats. It’s important to keep in mind that whether a particular format or media is advantages or not also depends on learner’s strengths and weaknesses and the purpose for its use. Learners vary in their experience and capacity to process information and express their knowledge in different media. Their experience and expertise will also change overtime. Likewise a particular media or specialized format may be suitable for a learner in a particular subject or assignment but not for others. This evolving, dynamic interaction between AIM, learner strengths and weaknesses, and educational goals is also what makes the flexibility of AIM more advantages than the inflexibility of print. AIM and digital technology can provide more options for processing information, creative expression, and engagement and lessens reading – the ability to see and decode words – and writing - the ability to compose and communicate knowledge through text - as the primary media and instruments of teaching and learning.

Reference :

 https://mmursyidpw.files.wordpress.com/2009/05/instructionalmedia.pdf

https://canvas.instructure.com/courses/31465/pages/advantages-and-limitations-of-intructional-media