TEACHING MATERIALS

Teaching materials is a generic term used to describe the resources teachers use to deliver instruction
and how they deliver it. Teaching materials can support student learning and increase student success.
Teaching materials come in many shapes and sizes, but they all have in common the ability to support
student learning. Teaching materials can refer to a number of teacher resources; however, the term
usually refers to concrete examples, such as worksheets or manipulatives (learning tools to help the
teaching process). 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 the student to explore the knowledge independently as well as providing repetition.
Learning materials, regardless of what kind, all have some function in student learning. Gaining teaching
materials is not that hard, the internet could be a very good “gold mine” of teaching resources. You can
also make your own materials. Every learning material you develop will be an asset to you when you
next teach a similar unit. An investment of time or money in good teaching materials is an investment in
good teaching.

Example of teaching materials

1. Any kind of books

2. Manipulatives or physical object such as blocks, marbles, etc.
3. Videos
4. Games

SIMILARITY BETWEEN SYLLABUS, TEACHING MATERIALS AND CURRICULUM

Thus, syllabus, teaching materials and curriculum are three different terms that closely related in
teaching and learning process. Curriculum is a broader concept that includes all activities in which
students do in school. It includes what students learn and how they learn it. Teaching materials includes
all activities in which teachers do in school. It includes what kind of things that were going to be taught
by the teachers, how teachers help students learn, what supporting materials are needed, styles and
methods used in teaching and learning process. Syllabus is smaller than curriculum since it only covers
the content of a course and the lists of what materials are going to be taught and how it will be tested.