Instructional material- realia and epidiascope

Presentation on Instructional Material, part-1

1. Instructional Material Real objects, Specimens & Epidiascope Taufiq H. Siddiquee

2. Realia cont Objects or activities used to relate classroom teaching to the real life especially of peoples/disease/pathology studied . Merriam Webster dictionary Realia , was first used in the late 19th century, and is still mostly used in the classroom by teachers .

3. Specimen & Object An object is the thing itself- for example a human body, a bird, a flower or a grass hopper. Objects are ideal visual aids. They are reality and not a substitute for reality. A Specimen is a part of the object. For example, an appendix, liver, gall bladder Specimens are excellent visual aids but they are not as valuable as an object. Since they are part of an object they cannot stimulate a complete sensory experience .

4. Why Should we use realia ? Kinesthetic learning Realia brings a welcome change Often more interesting than material from text books Students will be expected to use real material when they leave the classes. Students have the chance to practice real life situations

5. Advantages Accessible Relevant Visually interesting and captures the attention of the learner Provides a focus away from the written word Useful to help students grasp practical skills

6. Disadvantage Real objects may not support a cultural distinction. Activities with real objects might lose the class path. Spending too much time in one activity with real objects in the class.

7. Epidiascope Also known as Episcope or Opaque projector It is a device which displays opaque materials by shining a bright lamp onto the object from above. A system of mirrors, prisms and/or imaging lenses is used to focus an image of the material onto a viewing screen. Because they must project the reflected light, opaque projectors require brighter bulbs and larger lenses than overhead projectors.

8. Uses It is used to make class more interesting No transparency is required. The teaching aids e.g books, maps ,graphs etc can be directly projected in to the screen

9. Advantage No transparency required Can project opaque materials Books, maps , charts ,graphs etc. can be projected directly

10. Disadvantage Dark room required Needs high power bulbs, produces heat and vulnerable to frequent disturbances Almost obsolete with the invent of new tech aids