material and curriculum development

MATERIALS EVALUATION

WHAT IS MATERIALS EVALUATION?

Materials evaluation involves measuring the vakue (or potential value) of a set of learning materials by making judgements about the effect of materials on the people using them.

PRINCIPLES OF MATERIALS EVALUATION

Most evaluations by teachers are impressonistic.In developing a set of principles,it’s usefull to consider the following:

The evaluator’s theory of learning and teaching:

Here are some theories:

· Language learners only succeed if learning is a positive,relaxed and enjoyable experience.

· Language teachers teach most successfully if they can gain some enjoyment themselves from the materials they are using.

· Learners only learn what they really need or want to learn.

· Materials should help learners to connect the learning experience in the classroom to their own lives outside it.

· Materials should engagethe emotions of the learners.

Learning Theory:

Ø Deep processing of language is required if effective and durable learning is to take place.

Ø Affective engagement is essential.

Ø Making mental connections is a crucial aspect of the learning process.

Ø Multi-dimensional processing of language is essential for succesful learning and involves the learner creating mental representations through sensory imaging (especially visualisation),emotional associations and the use of inner voice.

Ø The learners should be given opportunities to use the target language to achieve communicative purpose.

Ø Maerials should take into account that learners differ in learning styles.

TYPES OF EVALUATION:

§ Pre use evaluation. Pre use evaluation involves making predictions about the potential value of materials for their users.

§ Whilst-use evaluation. This involves measuring the value of material whilst using them or whilst observing them being used.Some of the things it can measure are:

v Clarity of instructions.

v Clarity of layout.

v Comprehensibility of texts.

v Achievability of the materials.

v Flexibility of the materials.

v Appeal of the materials.

v Motivating power of the materials.

§ Post –use evaluation. Post use evaluation is the most valuable type of evaluation as it can measure the actual effects of the materials on the users.

Ways of measuring the post use effects of materials include:

Test of what has been ‘taught’,tests of what the students can do, examinations, Interviews,Questionnaires,Criterion referenced evaluations by employers,subject tutors,etc.

Post use evaluation

The most valuable type of evaluation as it can measure the actual effects of the materials on users.

Ways of measuring the post use effects of materials include:

Test of what has been taught,Test of what the students can do, Examinations, Interviews, Questionnaires,Criterion referenced evaluations by the users, Post-course diaries,Post-course reports on the leaners by employers, subject, tutors, etc.

Developing criteria for evaluating materialsone way of developing a set of criteria is as follows:

1.brainstorm a list of universal criteria.

2.subdivine some of the criteria

3.monitor and revise the list of universal criteria

At this stage it is useful to monitor the list and re-write it according to the following criteria:

· Is each question an evaluation question?

· Does each question only ask one question?

· Is each question answerable?

· Is each question free of dogma?

· Is each question reliable in the sense that other evaluators would interpret it in the same way?

4.Categories the list

Possible categories for universal criteria could be:

Learning principles,Topics,Teaching points, Texts, Activities, Instructions, Illustrations,Design and layout.

5.develop media-specific criteria.

6.develop content-specific criteria.

7.develop age-specific criteria.

8.develop local criteria.

Typical features of the environment which determine local criteria are:

The type(s) and resources of the institution(s),Class size,The background, needs and wants of the learners and of the tachers,The language policy,The syllabus,The objectives of the courses,The intensity and extent of the teaching time available,The target examinations,the amount of exposure to the target language outside the classroom.

Conducting materials evaluation

Effective way of conducting an evaluation is to:

Organize criteria under category headings

Give a score for each criterion

Write comments at the end of each category

Write a brief report highlighting those points which will help make decisions about selection or adaption.

MATERIALS ADAPTATION

WHAT IS MATERIALA ADAPTATION?

Materials adaptation involves changing existing materials so that they become more suitable for specific learners,teachers or situations.

Reasons for adapting materials

Teachers may feel uncomfortable because of a mismatch with:their teaching,their learners,their own preferences,the course objectives,materials.

Materials evaluation and adaptation

The evaluation process does not always have to be a through one for adatation .What teachers need to do is to identify reasons why they think materials adaptation is necessary.Then they an list the most relevant and important evaluation criteria and evaluate the materials before they start the process of adaptations.

Principles of material adaptation

Materials adaptation involves sequencing activities.Teacher s need to consider how principles are realised in their teaching procedures.

Procedures of materials adaptation

What are the procedures materials adaptation?

The sequence of materials adaptation may be described as:profiling of teaching context,identifiying reasons for adaptation,evaluating,listing objectives,adapting,teaching,revising.

Who does materials adaptation?

People who adapt materials include:

· Teachers

· materials writers

· publishers

· learners.

What are the techniques for materials adaptation?

The various techniques can be divide into three main categories in terms of quantity: plus(+),minus (-) or zero (0).

Conducting materials adaptations

The most effective way of conducting a materials adaptation is to:

· Have a bank of evaluation criteria that you can select from.

· Have a large bank of categorised materials that you can readily retrieve for adaptation.

· Have colleagues with whom you can share resources and who are willing to go through the adaptation process together,etc.