Strengths & Weaknesses of resources

Handouts/ Worksheets

Handouts are the most commonly used resources used in my lessons from Petty's view they “save valuable time and made to suit your needs exactly” Petty (1998, p. 195) on the other hand from my perspective they can be very time-consuming to produce. Handouts can also come in forms of worksheets, which are a good way of moving away from the rigid course book approach. Good teachers make a huge variety of handouts with very different aims in mind.

Strengths of handouts:

• Easy to create
  
• Wide variety of formats


• Permanent record for students to take away
  
• Easy to adapt for differentiation


• Wide range of styles and uses

Weaknesses of handouts:

• Overused at times
  
• Learners don’t always read them fully


• Can get tatty when continually reproduced, especially copying from copies or reusing


• Need to consider copyright when copying from text book, internet etc
  

(Petty, 1998)

Power point presentations:

I find PowerPoint presentations easy to produce. They can be reused every academic year with a little revision if required. Animation, music, videos and web links can be added to slides which help students to engage in lessons. If a lesson was missed by the learner it can be reprinted and given to the student, or it can be placed on the college network drive in my case.

Strengths of Power point presentations:

• Graphics and animations aid interest



• Speed of use can dictate pace of lesson



• A professional delivery method for a large audience

Weakness of Power point presentations:

• Projection equipment needed which can be expensive


• Overused and poorly used
  
• Not widely available in community or workplace environments

(Petty, 1998)

Smart Interactive Board

The smart interactive board, is one of the best resources commonly used in my teaching practice, it allows my students to interact with class activities when given tasks such as can you identify x or y device. Generally the smart board is easy to use, fun and very interactive.

Strengths of smart interactive board

• Hand written writing can be saved and printed


• Professional method of delivery


• Anything visible on the computer screen can be displayed in a group setting and retrieved at a later date

Weakness of smart interactive board

• Very expensive to purchase


• Not widely available


• Training may be needed before effective use


• Needs special pens to write with

(Gravells, 2008)

Computers/internet

I am able to access a wide range of websites through computers which I can use with my students. Some of the applications available these days help me to organise and plan my delivery. I turn to the internet for advice and pickup tips on how to constantly improve my teaching practice. The internet can be classified as a superb resource which enable learns to carry out research if book are not available, and access a whole new world of information.

Strengths of computer/internet:

• Computers save time in producing handouts etc


• Ideal storing place for many electronic resources


• Students can access many internet sites which relate to their subject area

Weakness of computer/internet

• Student may end up copying and pasting from the internet


• Share or change work (plagiarism)


• Students and teacher may follow copy right laws

(Reece & Walker, 2004)

Books

I find books to contain the most reliable information rather then general internet web pages. Anyone can publish a webpage online this does not mean the information used on website is true or valid. Books contain information which is fully edited and check by others before it’s published. Most of the information contained in my handouts comes from books they can be accessed from the library and can be purchased locally or online.

Strengths of books:

• Massive collection of book can be borrowed from the library


• Information contained in books are valid


• Books don’t contain any spelling or grammar mistakes


• Massive can be purchased

Weakness of books

• Can be expensive to buy
  
• Can lead to students copying large amounts of text

(Petty, 1998)

Reflection of own strengths and development needs of resource design and production

I have great ability to design interactive resources for my specialist area, over the few years I have developed many interesting resources for my students to use, however recently this has changed as most resources developed are not interactive they all seem be PowerPoint presentations with one or two simple tasks to carryout which area directly liked to the assignments. Going forward I need to start developing resources such as drag and drop activities etc which motivate young students and explore technologies out their which develop resources with a few clicks such as quia and free tools online.

Reference list:

Gravells. A (2008) Preparing to Teach in the Lifelong Learning Sector. Exeter: Learning Matters

Petty, G. (1998) Teaching Today: A Practical Guide. Cheltenham: Stanley Thornes

Reece, I. & Walker, S. (2004) Teaching, Training and Learning: A Practical Guide. 4th Ed, Sunderland: Business Education