Ideally, teachers always result to visual aids to supplement the teaching strategy applied in the class.  However, teachers are not aware of the reasons why they employ visual aids in teaching.  Although there are teachers who view these teaching materials as additional burden to their preparation, the importance of visual aids cannot be discounted. 

The real purpose of visual aids are summarized in the word SPICES.  Simply because, visual aids adds spice to teaching.

Visual aids Stimulates the interest of the pupils.  Most of today’s pupils are visual when it comes to learning.  To stimulate and sustain their interest, a teacher needs to use visual aids as an instrument to achieve the teaching objectives.

Visual aids Picture ideas.  The use of such materials gives the pupils a view of the idea expressed by the lesson.  As such, it leaves a concrete picture of what is being taught.

Visual aids Increases learning and retention.  More than the stimulation visual aids generate from the pupils, they guarantee an increase level of learning and retention among the pupils.  Pupils tend to remember more of the lesson because of the presentation done by the teacher.

Visual aids Contribute to clarity.  Because of the picture of the ideas injected into the minds of the pupils, things become clearer to them.  It leaves no room for questions but rather present a less intriguing view of the whole lesson.

Visual aids Emphasize key points.  If there is one thing that visual aids hope to address, it is the key points of the lessons.  Therefore, when a teacher engages in using visual aids, more emphasis is given on these key points and pupils absorb more because of what has been shown them.

Visual aids Simplify issues.  From the abstract to concrete; from complex to simple.  When lessons are presented in simple terms, pupils tend to absorb more.  And this is achieved with the use of visual aids.

As teachers, we should not get tired of preparing and using visual aids.  At the end of the day, let us look at its great benefit and the SPICES it brings to our teaching life and what it brings to our pupils.

                                                                                                                        lca2015

By: Lawrence C. Amoguis | Teacher I | Pablo Roman Elementary School Orion, Bataan