Problems in Materials selection ? Read On.......

Session  :  2
Time     :  11.00 a.m. - 12.30 p.m.
By         : Bill

Materials Selection, Adaptation and Activity Types

 

The second session of the day started with us closing our eyes and visualizing that one of us, is a Spanish learner and the other a CLIL materials developer. A short role play was carried out between the ‘Spanish learners’ and ‘CLIL writers’ about their dissatisfaction of the produced materials. The definition of authenticity was identified and groups discussed ‘how materials are selected’, ‘what criteria are considered in selecting materials’ and ‘how can we adapt materials to help learners understand the content’. In developing and adapting materials, we may have to apply the Text-task Seesaw, where if, the chosen text is difficult, we have to create an easy task and vise versa. Another aspect to consider, is the cultural triangle which incorporates the knowledge about the target content, the world, and their home (local culture).
  

Groups were given 3 samples of reading materials to analyse their suitability in terms of classroom usage. Bill then shared a few types of activities that can be used in the classroom such as hot seat, web search, pyramid discussion and  Caroll's Table, before ending with the Domino/Loop Game where participants had to match a word to its definition.

REFLECTION / IMPACT:
 This session highlights the possible ways of adapting materials to make it user friendly for our students. Adding pictures, a glossary or simplifying the language used in descriptions can help learners to cope with difficult text and make it manageable. Shortening texts and doing jigsaw reading are also alternatives to providing differentiation in the classrooms. Materials shared in this session are practical and can be easily adapted in the Malaysian classrooms. Although developing materials may be time consuming for lecturers, we have to find a way to help support our students’ learning process.

SUGGESTION:
Carry out a workshop for materials development in your respective institutions, where 3 different groups are set up(low, medium, high proficiency) to prepare materials for different levels. E.g. a reading text on piling(Civil Engineering) is provided and different groups prepare comprehension questions for the same text and TADAA...you have differentiated materials. File them up and label them to be shared with all lecturers. Sharing is caring.....


Written by,
Marina Abu Bakar

Politeknik Melaka