Lesson Plan (cadets) - Visual Aids

1691 Royal Canadian Army Cadets Silver Star Course: Instructional Technique EO: 409.03: Visual Aids Instructor: MWO DM Matthew Snodgrass Method: Lecture/Discussion Time: 2 x 30mins MTPs: What is a Visual Aid, Different Types, Advantages, Selection, Good Characteristics Material Needed: Whiteboard and Markers, Paper and Pens Review 409.02: The Lesson Plan 1. What are the three major components of a lesson plan? – Introduction, Body, Conclusion 2. What is a Course Training Plan (CTP)? – Blue print for a construction of a course Introduction Who/What: My name is MWO Snodgrass, and I will be teaching EO 409.03 Today Why: To be able to help your Cadets remember your lessons more by using the sense of sight. When/Where: You will be using this anytime you are teaching a lecture, as it will enhance the topic you are trying to instruct. Body What is a Visual Aid? – Simply, Visual aids are representations of the topic you are trying to instruct. They are used to appeal to the Cadet’s different senses, such as sight, as they are learnt better then just hearing the topic. It is important for any instructor to know when to use Visual Aids, and what kinds they should be using. This lecture will give you the knowledge to use visual aids, but you will have to come with the imagination to figure which ones you need. What are the different types of Visual Aids? – There are three common types of Visual Aids that instructors use. They are: 1. The Actual Object – The best Visual Aid that any instructor can have, the real thing. This is best to have, but not always possible, as it will give the Cadets a “hands on experience” with the topic on hand. Best choice to use if you have it.

2. Still Visual Aids – There are two different types of this Visual Aid: Graphics and Blackboard. The Graphics can range from cartoons to graphs and are usually harder to have ready, but can be used over and over again. These are great to have if the topic is complex. The next, and most used Visual Aid, is the Blackboard. The Blackboard is used when the topic is not complex, which gives the instructor freedom to draw or convey what they are trying to teach. 3. Projected Visual Aids – These Visual aids are very useful to use when they are available. They can consist of over-head projections, films, videos, and PowerPoint Presentations. They can be in full color, which really helps the Cadets to pay attention more. These are harder to set up, but worth it in the long run. What are the advantages of Visual Aids? Why Should I be using them? Being able to use Visual Aids in a lecture makes a big impact on the learning environment of your Cadets. Some advantages are: 1. Visual Aids help Cadets understand what is being taught. 2. They can help keep the interest up in your class. 3. They will help your Cadets retain the information they have learned 4. Finally, they can help the lecture time be reduced. Confirmation Stage – Making Sure The Cadets Are Paying Attention! 1. What is a Visual Aid? 2. What are the three types of Visual Aids? 3. What are the advantages of Visual Aids? 4. What are considered Still Visual Aids? Selecting a Visual Aid Now that you know what a Visual Aid is, you now have to consider what one you will choose. Some things you should consider are: 1. Equipment Available – This should be what you think of first. You cannot show an overhead projection of something if you do not have an overhead projector. Check with the training officer in advanced to see what equipment you have. 2. How large is the class? – This is good to look at because if you have a big class, then using a blackboard may not be effective, as the Cadets in the back may not be able to see it. 3. How much time do you have for your class? – This is also a crucial aspect you should be checking into. If you only have a 30 minute class, you won’t be able to show a 45 minute video. Characteristics of a good Visual Aid

There are five characteristics of a good Visual Aid. Planned – Well Though of Simple – Not hard for the Cadet to understand Heard and Seen – add speech to the Visual Aid, don’t just let the Cadet look at it Organized – make sure it is well organized and not all over the place Rough Draft – make sure you make a rough draft of the Visual Aid so you may add on to it and make it better Confirmation Check – Make Sure The Cadets Understand! 1. What are some things you should consider before selecting a Visual Aid to work with? 2. What are the 5 characteristics of a good Visual Aid? Performance Objective (PO) Check – Bringing It All Together! The Cadets will be giving paper and a pen. They will be asked to choose one lecture they have learned thus far in Cadets, and to make a Visual Aid for that lecture. They may use the paper or the whiteboard that is present. They will be asked to explain it, and to tell the class why they chose that specific Visual Aid. Conclusion My name is MWO Snodgrass, and you just learned about Visual Aids. This class did very well (will vary) and I am quite confident (will vary) that you will be able to use Visual Aids in your future lectures (will vary). Please remember that the reason that you have learned this lesson is so you can use Visual Aids. You need these to improve the effectiveness of any of your lectures, in and outside of Cadet teaching. Your next lecture will more then likely be a Drill Lecture, which will be held on the parade square. You will be notified as such if this changes.