What is realia? Realia are real-life objects that enable children to make connections to their own lives as they try to make sense of new concepts and ideas. This strategy brings the Perspectives central text to life for students by using everyday objects
(in language teaching) actual objects and items which are brought into classroom as example or aid to be talked or written about and used in teaching ( Longman Dictionary of Language Teaching. Richards, Platt.1992 Essex.) Realia are objects from real life used in classroom instruction by educators to improve students understanding of other cultures in real life situations
Realia resources are everyday, authentic objects , such as photographs, menus, brochures, receipts, maps, movies, television shows, commercials, etc. that are used to teach and learn languages
What are the steps in making Realia model?
Step 1. gather information Gather all of the information needed in creating realia process. When gathering, never limit your efforts in understanding, just take all of the opinions and ideas of other person. You may also assess the students needs through asking their suggestions. Stretch your idea, you may include four other areas as well: Audience, Content, Technology, and Expectations.
Step 2. Identify Learning Objectives Step 2: Once you gather the information , frame the learning objectives. Learning objectives help you distinguish between the ‘good-to-know’ and ‘must-know’ content, and determine the emphasis every piece of information needs in the realia model . Also, your assessments should be drafted mapping to these learning objectives.
Step 3. organize the materials Through organizing the materials it will lets the content informative and present the flow for the realia. Identify the type of content you are dealing with. It could be facts, principles, process, classification, or relationship.
Step 4. layout Design The layout of the design is a process in itself. First, point out the materials to know the content into small chunks of information and organize them in a logical sequence. Once the materials ready, determine an instructional approach for the model (story-based approach, problem-based approach,, game-based approach, etc.) in line with the scope defined during gathering information. Insert engagement points into your layout design by adding an attention-grabbing activity, motivational pictures etc.
Step 5. develop the Design Develop a functional design in starting the complete detail development of realia model . Identify all the materials that you are going to use that is essential with different types using the approved design strategy and the guidelines. The design strategy or layout will help you on how the materials will be transformed into a functional realia.