What is the main purpose of instructional media?

Technology is no longer a sideline endeavor, a mere enhancement to enrich other areas of study. A new frontier of learning and teaching with technology has already begun. Instructional technology is not only a legitimate discipline area but an integral part of virtually every area of study and learning faced by today's students of all ages (Knapp and Glenn, 1996; Lever-Duffy, McDonald, & Mizell, 2003). The role of computer technology is no longer an isolated tool for the storage and retrieval of information and for production of paper printouts. Today, computers are complete workstations where students study, learn, communicate and work in virtually all discipline areas interacting with the whole world (Churma, 1999).

Mere training and learning to use technology is not sufficient; the discipline is continuously changing and evolving (Cocco, 1995; Peck, 2001). It is therefore essential that reflective professionals have an evolving conceptual understanding and ongoing adaptability to new technology for tomorrow (Galloway, J. P. & Blohm, P., 1997; Galloway, J. P., 1990). The faculty see technology as an integral component of the teacher education program and Reflective Professionals (Agents of Change) should know how to enhance learning through the use of a wide variety of media; e.g., computers, printing, audio-visual recording technologies, videotapes and discs, the Internet, World-Wide-Web, etc. (Molenda & Harris, 2001). The faculty also believes that while a beginning course in educational computing is necessary to ensure a satisfactory base-line of experiences with fundamental technology tools, today's beginning teachers need continued experience with technological productivity at all levels of the preservice curriculum (Tomei, 1999).

Instructors can engage students and produce more meaningful and deep learning experiences by using films, television shows, popular music, news stories, literature, documentaries, and videos from sources such as youTube.

What is the main purpose of instructional media?

What is Using Media to Enhance Teaching and Learning?

Media can be a component of active learning strategies such as group discussions or case studies. Media could be a a film clip, a song you hear on the radio, podcast of a lecture or newspaper article. Students can also create their own media. For example, student video projects can be a powerful learning experience.

Instructional materials are the content or information conveyed within a course. These include the lectures, readings, textbooks, multimedia components, and other resources in a course. These materials can be used in both face-to-face and online classrooms; however, some must be modified or redesigned to be effective for the online environment. The best instructional materials are aligned with all other elements in the course, including the learning objectives, assessments, and activities.

Why Is It Important?

Instructional materials provide the core information that students will experience, learn, and apply during a course. They hold the power to either engage or demotivate students. This is especially true for online courses, which rely on a thoughtful and complete collection of instructional materials that students will access, explore, absorb, and reference as they proceed in a course.

Therefore, such materials must be carefully planned, selected, organized, refined, and used in a course for the maximum effect. The planning and selection of instructional materials should take into consideration both the breadth and depth of content so that student learning is optimized.

How to Put Into Practice?

Consider these questions as you select instructional materials for your course:

  • Is the scope and coverage appropriate?
  • What will learners read/explore?
  • What will learners view/hear?
  • What could learners experience/create?
  • Will you find or create this material?
  • Do materials and media support and align with the stated learning objectives?
  • Is there sufficient interactivity and engagement?
What is the main purpose of instructional media?

Instructors and/or instructional designers should cast a wide net and aim for a variety of materials to include in their course. At the same time, they should be deliberate with these choices so that the course has the appropriate combination of instructional materials. Below are just a few categories of instructional content to include in an online course.

Note: Select the plus sign or headings to reveal additional content.

Where to Find Resources?

Examples of Instructional Materials

The following table provides examples and links to resources and tips for the common types of instructional content.

Note: If you are viewing this table on a mobile device and the table is cut off, try swiping your finger over the table to view the content.

Please note: Not all of the listed technologies are officially supported by the university.

What is the main purpose of instructional media?

  Want More?

The “Instructional Materials” deep dive topic provides strategies and best practices to help you find, plan, create, and organize instructional materials and media in an online course.

Topics covered include:

  • Planning and Selecting Course Content
  • Types of Instructional Materials
  • Digital Media Best Practices and Tools
  • Finding and Using Existing Content
  • Copyright
  • Accessible Design

Visit the Instructional Materials deep dive topic

Note: These courses are available for FREE to all UW-Madison faculty and staff. When you click the links you will be prompted to sign in with your UW-Madison NetID and password. Then you will be taken to the topic homepage where you can learn more and complete activities.

What is the purpose of instructional media materials?

Instructional materials are essential tools in learning every subject in the school curriculum. They allow the students to interact with words, symbols and ideas in ways that develop their abilities in reading, listening, solving, viewing, thinking, speaking, writing, using media and technology.

What are the benefits of instructional media to the students?

Students' retention and understanding of the material are improved..
Assisting in the delivery of subject materials..
The process of learning becomes more participatory..
Gives you a hands-on learning experience..
More learning retention..
Enhances cooperative learning..

What is the purpose of instructional?

The purpose of instruction is to help people learn. The goal of instructional designers is to make learning easier, quicker, and more enjoyable. Some people view training as a process of finding out who the brightest employees are.

What is the purpose of instructional materials in the classroom?

Instructional materials are essential since they help the teacher and learners avoid overemphasis on recitation and rote learning that can easily dominate a lesson. Resource materials allow learners to have practical experiences which help them to develop skills and concepts and to work in a variety of ways.