III. Impact of audio video tools on teaching technical courses in English Today, we are using wide variety audio video aids in educa-
tion processing. Until now, the problem of the use of audio-
visual aids has been examined from an intellectual angle. It
also includes important practical and technical aspects. To
tell the truth, techniques cannot and should not be separated
from pedagogy. We have seen that audio-visual aids cannot
be separated from educational materials as a whole, this
conclusion being thrust upon us by the attitude of the user
when confronted by these materials. Now this same user —
whether a teacher, a professor or an adult educator — does
not act any differently when pedagogy and techniques are in-
volved. He can never be purely a pedagogue or purely a tech-
nician. It is clear, therefore, that the pedagogy of audio-visual
aids cannot be separated arbitrarily from audio-visual tech-
niques.
No one can hope to achieve good results unless he is a
sensitive pedagogue and a skilled technician. The problem
must be solved globally. Today's technology offers many
choices to the informed educator who wishes to capitalize
on a new generation's appetite for multimedia presenta-
tions. Lesson plans that incorporate the use of audio-visual
aids should be consistent with curriculum objectives and not
segued improperly.
Media presentations can also enhance lessons by cap-
turing students' attention and providing visual or auditory
examples of subjects discussed in class. Make sure that you
preview any resources you
plan to use in class, and cue them to the appropriate spot
before class begins. Providing a viewing guide or asking
students to pay attention to certain issues will help focus
their experience and prevent them from tuning out. Stop the
video at least every five to 10 minutes for discussion, ques-
tions, and to reinforce important points. Try to place copies
of video or audio used in class on reserve in the library for
students who missed class or would like to review the ma-
terials.
Auditory learners focus more on the spoken word rather
than the written one. Taped recordings of lectures or movies
are helpful to auditory learners because they pick up on
speech nuances such as tone and pitch. Computers with
speech-recognition devices will also help auditory learners to
process and retain information better than just reading from
a textbook. Students with hearing disabilities will also benefit
from teachers who use microphones while lecturing.
A device is an incentive introduced into the method of
teaching for the purpose of stimulating the pupil and devel-
oping understanding through experiencing. The basis for all
learning is experience, and usually the most effective type
of learning is gained by concrete, direct, first-hand experi-
ence. Teachers are often unable to give pupils first-hand ex-
periences and resort to the written and oral use of words. The
experienced teacher, however, realizes that the use of words
alone cannot and will not, provide vivid learning experience.
Good teachers are constantly on the alert for methods and
devices that will make learning meaningful. With the wise se-
lection and use of a variety of instructional devices or audio-
visual materials, experiences can be provided that will de-
velop understanding.