Teaching Support System

Teaching Support System

5.1 WHAT IS A TEACHING SUPPORT SYSTEM?

 Definition

Teaching Support System is a set of tools that will improve student achievement by building capacity in teachers.

 Simple Explanation: Just like a carpenter needs tools (hammer, saw) to work better, a teacher needs support tools (textbooks, boards, projectors, computers) to teach better. These tools together form the "Teaching Support System."

There are THREE types of Teaching Support Systems:

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Traditional Teaching Support System
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Modern Teaching Support System
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ICT Based Teaching Support System
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5.2 I. TRADITIONAL TEACHING SUPPORT SYSTEM

 Key Features

In the traditional way of teaching and learning, higher education institutions designed a program based on the textbook and lecture.

The program is framed with time and place for students (fixed schedule, fixed classroom).

Main purpose: To satisfy the requirement for mastery of a body of knowledge for a life-long career.

School teaching is supported by:

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Textbook
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Chalk and Blackboard
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 Example: A typical old-style classroom — teacher reads from the textbook, writes on the blackboard with chalk, students copy notes. One fixed subject prepares you for one lifelong job.




(A) Merits and Demerits of Traditional Teaching Methods

Merits	Demerits
Lecture remains one of the most effective teaching methods when the group of learners is exceptionally huge	There is less involvement of learners
Traditional teaching methods are easy to use given any group of learners	There is less emphasis on understanding of concepts and/or logical thinking
They are economic in terms of money as well as time	Weak learners suffer the most as they don't feel motivated
The teacher has a lot of authority over how the content is delivered and the amount of creativity involved	Evaluation of learners based on traditional teaching methods can sometimes be faulty
	There is less incentive among teachers for reflection

 Simple Explanation: Traditional teaching is cheap, quick, and works for huge classes — but students stay passive, weak students get left behind, and marks may not reflect true learning.

(B) Traditional Methods of Teaching in a Nutshell

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Teacher-centric classrooms
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Teachers in the mode of knowledge dispensers rather than facilitators

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Chalk and talk methods
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Regimented classrooms (strict, controlled, uniform)

Lack of collaboration and group learning

More emphasis on examinations and results rather than understanding of concepts

Improper alignment between objectives, activities and assessments

 Memory picture: Imagine a strict classroom — teacher talks, students sit in rows silently, everyone crams for exams. That's traditional teaching in a nutshell.

5.3 II. MODERN TEACHING SUPPORT SYSTEM

 Why Modern Methods Emerged

Changes in modern teaching methods became necessary due to technological, economic, and cultural forces in the early 21st century.

These forces have fundamentally altered the very foundation of traditional educational models.

Education reforms mean that learning is taught from a completely different angle

(A) Merits and Demerits of Modern Teaching Methods

Merits	Demerits
They are learner-centred techniques	Since teaching becomes more dynamic, teachers need to learn and relearn new skills
More content can be covered in lesser time	There is too much reliance on technology which reduces the authority of teachers
Modern teaching methods are a fun and interactive way of learning	It requires huge investment of money, time and effort
More scope for using audio-video teaching aids such as documentaries, YouTube videos, online lectures, MOOCs, educational games, educational mobile applications, etc.	Some modern teaching methods are exclusionary in nature (leave some learners out)
Modern teaching methods also help in self-evaluation	The teacher-student relationship suffers as there is less time to develop bonding with the students
It is NOT a mechanical way of teaching — students as well as teachers participate in knowledge construction

 Example: Using a YouTube documentary to teach DNA fingerprinting covers more content faster and is fun — but requires money for smart boards, internet, and teacher training, and the teacher-student bond may weaken.

(B) Modern Methods of Education in a Nutshell

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Technology-driven classrooms
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Continuous comprehensive evaluation
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Cross-curricular connections
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Inquiry-based learning
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Emphasis on understanding of concepts
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Linking curriculum with life
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Emphasis on skill building, life skills and values

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Smart interactive boards
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BYOD — Bring Your Own Device
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Collaborative learning
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Differential learning
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Activity-based learning and learning labs

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Interdisciplinary learning
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Integrative and social responsibility and civic engagement

Digitisation in teaching, learning assessment and feedback

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Collaborative learning
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Differentiated instruction
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Flipped classroom
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Problem-based learning
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 Simple explanations of tricky terms:

Flipped classroom = Lecture at home (video), homework/discussion in class — the class is "flipped"

BYOD = Students bring their own laptops/tablets/phones for learning

Interdisciplinary = Combining many subjects (e.g., forensic science = law + biology + chemistry)

5.4 III. ICT BASED TEACHING SUPPORT SYSTEM

 Introduction

Computer technology has become:

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A service provider
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A teaching partner
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A learning tool
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Indian universities are now using Information Communication Technologies (ICT) for various purposes.

This has created a new scenario of modes of education, which can be classified as follows:

 The 5 Modes of Education (ICT Classification)

No.	Mode	Description
1.	Formal Education	Classroom / campus-based education imparted by traditional universities
2.	Non-formal Open and Distance Education	Offered by single mode open universities
3.	Mixed Mode Education	Offered by Distance Education Institutions (DEI) of traditional universities by using both formal and non-formal components of the two modes
4.	ICT Based Convergent Mode	Uses Web Based Education (WBE), Computer Based Education, Center/Classroom Based Education. Some universities use ICT and Internet extensively in education to supplement the print-based/classroom-based mode in formal and/or non-formal education
5.	Entirely WBE – E-Education	Uses Internet and WBE extensively so that teaching and learning is almost distributed

 Simple Explanation of the ladder:

Formal = Regular college (go to campus daily)

Non-formal ODE = Distance/Open university (study from home, e.g., IGNOU-style)

Mixed Mode = Traditional university's distance wing (mix of both)

Convergent Mode = Classroom/print teaching + Internet support together

Entirely WBE/E-Education = Fully online — learning happens over the internet

(A) Nature and Characteristics of ICT Based Teaching Support System

Information and Communication Technology (ICT) can lead to:

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Improved student learning
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Better teaching methods
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…with often larger classes, more diverse students, demands from government and employers who want more accountability.

Conventionally, materials to support teaching-learning were of two types:

Visuals — in the form of charts, posters, photographs and models

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Actual objects
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With the advent of projection devices like overhead projectors and audio-visual devices like radio, television, tape recorders → the range of support materials grew.

With the advent of computers with superior graphic capabilities and adequate computing power to play back audio and video → a diverse set of devices have become integrated.

A large number of audiovisual support has been developed in the form of:

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Graphics
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Animation
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Models
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Drawings
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Photographs
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Audio and Video
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Simultaneously, internet enables the development of large networks, which can cater to a diverse set of needs of the school system.

 Evolution to remember: Charts/Models → Radio/TV/Tape → Computers (graphics + audio + video) → Internet networks

(B) Mega Paradigm Shifts in Education

There are mainly TWO mega paradigm shifts in education:

First shift: From traditional university → Open and Distance Education (ODE)

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Second shift: From ODE → E-Education
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Both traditional and ODE universities are essentially based on industrial models of education — offering mass education.

 Simple Explanation: A "paradigm shift" = a big change in the basic way of thinking. Education first moved from classroom-only to distance learning (Shift 1), then from distance to fully online/e-learning (Shift 2). Both old systems were like factories producing education for masses.

5.5 TEACHING AIDS

 Classification of Teaching Aids

1️ VISUAL AIDS

The aids which use the sense of VISION are called Visual aids.

Examples: Actual objects, models, pictures, charts, maps, flash cards, flannel board, bulletin board, chalkboard, overhead projector, slides, etc.

NOTE: Out of these, blackboard and chalk are the commonest ones.

2️ AUDIO AIDS

The aids that involve the sense of HEARING are called Audio aids.

Examples: Radio, tape recorder, gramophone, etc.

3️ AUDIO-VISUAL AIDS

The aids which involve the sense of vision as well as hearing are called Audio-Visual aids.

Examples: Television, film projector, film strips, etc.

 Quick Comparison Table: Types of Teaching Aids

Type	Sense Used	Examples
Visual Aids	Sight (vision)	Objects, models, pictures, charts, maps, flash cards, flannel board, bulletin board, chalkboard, overhead projector, slides
Audio Aids	Hearing	Radio, tape recorder, gramophone
Audio-Visual Aids	Both sight + hearing	Television, film projector, film strips

Memory Trick: Visual = Vision only; Audio = ears only; Audio-Visual = All senses together.

Simple Explanation:

Projected aids = Need a projector/screen to show (films, slides, overheads)

Non-projected aids = Don't need projection — divided into:

Graphic aids (2-D drawings/pictures: charts, posters, maps)

Display boards (boards you write/pin on: blackboard, flannel board)

3-D aids (solid objects: models, puppets, specimens)

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Audio aids (sound: radio, TV, mobile)
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Activity aids (learning by doing: field trips, drama, experiments)

(D) Importance of Teaching Aims/Aids —

No.	Importance	Explanation
i.	Motivation	Teaching aids motivate the students so that they can learn better
ii.	Clarification	Through teaching aids, the teacher clarifies the subject matter more easily
iii.	Discouragement of Cramming	Teaching aids facilitate proper understanding to students, which discourages the act of cramming (rote memorization)
iv.	Increase the Vocabulary	Teaching aids help to increase the vocabulary of students more effectively
v.	Direct Experience	Teaching aids provide direct experience to the students
vi.	Classroom Live and Active	Teaching aids make the classroom live and active
vii.	Saves Time and Money	Teaching aids save time and money
viii.	Avoids Dullness	Teaching aids avoid dullness (boredom) in class

 Example: Showing a real skull model (Direct Experience) in an anatomy class motivates students (Motivation), clears doubts (Clarification), stops rote learning (Discourages cramming), and makes the class lively (Classroom live).

UGC NET Paper 1 Notes Teaching Support System

UGC NET Paper 1 Notes

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