Principles for designing materials

Books, Articles and Other Reading Materials – Books, articles and other reading materials are regarded as the most common types of teaching-learning materials that are put into practice at all levels of education. These are regarded as fundamental in facilitating the education processes.
Models – Models have numerous meanings, i.e. reproductions, replicas, copies, representations, facsimiles, prototypes, simulations and mock-ups. At all levels of education, these need to be utilized to facilitate the teaching processes and to promote student learning. These are utilized by the teachers in nursery, elementary, secondary, senior secondary as well as in higher educational institutions.
Charts – A chart is a graphical representation of data. The data is represented by symbols. The various types of charts are, bar chart, line chart and pie chart. A chart represents the data in a tabular, in a numerical form and in some form of quality structure. Charts are frequently used to ease the understanding of large quantities of data and the relationships between parts of data. It is usually easier for the individuals to read and understand the charts. These are made use of in the variety of fields. These can be created manually or through the use of computers.
Maps – A map is referred to as the symbolic depiction, putting emphasis upon the relationships between the elements of some space, i.e. objects, regions and themes. There are number of maps that are static, fixed on paper or some other durable medium, whereas, others are dynamic or interactive. Although the most commonly used maps are used to depict geography. Furthermore, maps represent space, real or fictional without any regards to context and scale, such as, brain mapping, DNA mapping, or computer network typology mapping.
Pictures and Images – Pictures and images are regarded as teaching-learning materials, which are of utmost significance. Within books, when there are pictures and images, the students develop motivation towards learning. When the individuals are making use of technologies to acquire information in terms of a particular concept, then too they will be able to understand well, when there are pictures and images. The viewing of pictures and images enables the individuals to understand the concepts in a clear manner..
Diagrams – A diagram is referred to the symbolic representation of information through making use of visualization techniques (Antofina, n.d.). The term diagram is used in a sense that signifies a specific meaning. These are pictorial and yet abstract representations of information. In primarily science subjects of physics, chemistry and biology, the students need to learn how to draw diagrams.
Technologies – In the present existence, the usage of technologies has gained prominence. The instructors and the students at all levels of education are making use of them in facilitating teaching and learning processes. Hence, they are able to carry out their job duties well. On the other hand, the students are making use of technologies to prepare assignments, projects, reports and so forth
Television and Videos – Television and videos are primarily regarded as the sources of entertainment. The individuals, belonging to all age groups, categories and backgrounds take pleasure in watching television and videos. But these are not only regarded as the sources of entertainment, but promote teaching and learning as well. The research studies have indicated that in educational institutions at all levels, the instructors sometimes show videos to the students, related to the lesson plans. When they see the videos, they are able to up-grade their learning and understanding. Sometimes learning does not get facilitated through reading books, articles or browsing the internet as through watching television and videos.
Audio-Visual Aids – Audio-visual aids are the devices, which are made use of within the classroom settings to make the teaching and the learning processes effectual and meaningful. The teaching methods need to be put into operation in such a manner, that students should take pleasure in learning. Hence, audio-visual aids are regarded as the most favourable tools that are made use of for making the teaching processes meaningful. (Meaning of Audio-Visual Aids, 2011).
Slide Projectors - Slide projectors is an opto-mechanical device for displaying of photographic slides. In other words, it is a machine that shines light through a photograph made into a slide to produce a larger image on the screen.