Teaching Support Materials

Learning and teaching support materials are an important part of curriculum development and a means of promoting both good teaching and learning. Although learning support materials cannot replace an educator, successful learning depend to a great extent on the educator’s ability to identify the relevant resources, then design, adapt or use them to produce effective learning support materials.

Explanation of LTSMs

Learning and teaching support materials refers to all relevant resources used by learners and educators that will enhance and support curriculum delivery. According to the North West University (NWU) (2004a:37), learning and teaching support materials are essential to promote a culture of teaching and learning in classroom settings.

Learning becomes visual for learner. It helps to create a resource rich environment.

Significance of LTSMs

Learning materials should also be significant. Significant learning materials will have impact and the learner will be impressed and motivated by its part in the learning situation. The material must cover appropriate content, challenge all learners and integrate learning areas. They should develop good communication, reasoning and problem solving skills. Further the material should promote equity and positive values.

Learning materials are important because they can significantly increase student achievement by supporting student learning. For example, a worksheet may provide a student with important opportunities to practice a new skill gained in class. This process aids in the learning process by allowing students to explore the knowledge independently as well as providing

This media enrich educators teaching and learners learning in a way that the teaching and learning process become effective and constructive. According to Meyer, ( 2012) media can come in different ways: there can be teaching-learning media, learning media and personal and non-personal media.

Recently, social networking applications such as blogs and twitter have seen an unprecedented update by many people, especially the learners. Growing in an interactive, socially interconnected technology environment, as compared to such passive activities as listening to a lecture can cause a huge change in the demographics, expectations and work habits of today’s student population. When technology and its impact is pervasive in all aspect of our life, our classrooms need to reflect what goes on around outside. Schools must try to bridge the gap between classrooms and real world