MEDIA AS A TEACHING AID

ROSARIO A. LOZANO

Media in the classroom can engage learners and produce meaningful learning experiences by using films, videos clips, newspaper article, music, documentaries from sources such as You Tube in which learners can also create their own media. Involving learners in creating media encourages collaboration, creativity and accountability.

It can be used to motivate discussions in the lesson, however, there are number of important considerations for teachers before they integrate media.

There are practical and easy ways for teachers to help learners understand what they see on You Tube, google, televisions, magazines or newspapers, and on social networking sites such as facebook, MySpace, LinkedIn, and twitter.

To help learners, the following are some suggestions: Be aware of the TV programs what the learners watch. Find out or ask the learners what television program they mostly like to watch. You can use this program into learning in connection with the lesson. You may give them home works about the lesson taught or in preparation for their new lesson instead of spending most of their time at home in front of the computer without learning at all. You may also conduct case studies in the classroom or action research study more about the influence of the TV program they usually watch.

Discuss about what they read, hear, and see.

After watching video clips, films, or tv programs, ask the learners: What did they see, hear, or feel after watching the film. You may discuss the facts or ask about the opinion of the learners, what is reality or make believe, what are the causes and effects, and other conflicts that can be resolved.

Connect it to Values.

Have the learners to share their own beliefs as well as your beliefs and values. Discuss the values of choosing a good life. You can help the learners to think deeper through (HOTS) Higher Order Thinking Skills questions on how to apply this in their daily living. The learners may play skits and portray characters on the television programs they like.

Integrate newspaper reading.

Strengthen the reading skill of the learners by reading newspaper where they can get entertainment and news. Reading newspaper will enhance their writing skills where they can get and use different styles in writing essay and may lead them to be one of the journalists someday. By doing this, they can be updated with what is happening in the world especially in our country. It is also a best source to enhance general knowledge, as well as it develops the daily reading habit for learning, and increases their vocabulary words.

Mass media is a part of our children’s lives. It is the key to empower them to think critically about what they see, hear, read, and absorb. Teacher help the learners to turn negative into a positive one, to influence the learners to be more aware on what is good and better for them.

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The author is Teacher III at Salapungan Elementary School, Angeles City, Pampanga