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UNIT 2 IMPROVISATION

In addition, improvisation is linked with the concept of self-reliance. You need to understand the fact that when we make use of the available resources in our environment, it will be easier for us to withstand the present economic recession. It will help us spend less on imported and expensive commercially produced media

In the course of improvisation, models can be used when the real media is not available, diagrams can be used when real pictures are not readily available for use in the course of teaching and learning.

The initial effort made on improvisation by teachers was mainly focused on finding an alternative to the highly expensive instructional media. This eventually led to the discovery and invention of certain local materials which have been used in producing a lot of local improvised instructional materials in place of the expensive and very scarce foreign instructional media.

Attempts by teachers to solve the problem of non-use or non-availability of instructional materials have led to improvisation of media like parts of human body: eye, heart, skeleton, and others like dresses, vehicles, flutes, etc. One common thing about improvisation of these materials is that there is extensive use of local materials, especially those that are within the reach of the developers.

In the making of an “aircraft” for example, used or neat paper, bottle tops, gum etc. can be used.

Imported “gum” can be improvised by adding a small quantity of “petrol” on the roughages (white plastic packer usually used to accompany newly factory produced items in cartons) inside a container. Stick can be used to stir. The end product is adhesive gum which can be used in mounting. Mounting implies permanent fixing of diagrams or pictures (graphics) on another surface.

The materials that can be improvised are as many and varied. Although, in terms of functions/features, there are bound to be variations from the original items. The variation can be in terms of functions, size, colour etc.

3.2 When can improvised instructional media be used in the Classroom?

Improvised instructional media can be used in the classroom when:

(1) The real media is very scarce or outrightly not available for use.

(2) The real instructional media is insufficient for the use of all the learners in the classroom.

(3) The real instructional media are very expensive for the teacher and the students to afford.

(4) The real instructional media are very fragile to handle by the students or they are hazardous to both the teachers and learners.

3.3 Factors Influencing Improvisation of Instructional Materials

Factors influencing improvisation of instructional materials can be viewed in two ways. They can either be factors promoting or militating against improvisation of materials.

(a) Factors promoting improvisation of instructional materials include:

(i) It discourages the importation of luxury items.

(ii) It promotes local sourcing of raw materials for use in teaching-learning activity.

(iii) It facilitates self-reliance.

(b) On the other hand, the following can affect it adversely:

(iv) Fear of copyright laws.

(v) Lack of motivation on the part of the teachers.

(vi) Not all instructional material can be improvised.

(vii) Possibility of loss of vital part/information.

3.4 Improvisation with Paper Pulp / Papier Mache

Through the use of paper pulp/papier mache, a great number of instructional materials can be improvised. In doing this, find old or new unused newspapers or unused proper, and follow these steps.

(i) Tear the paper into pieces

(ii) Soak the pieces in water for a short time

(iii) Pound the soaked pieces of paper in a (small) mortar (iv) Prepare starch

(v) Mix the pounded paper with starch

(vi) Ensure that the quantity of starch is proportional (vii) Knead very well till it looks smooth

(viii) You can now use it for molding.

From the step (viii), you can now use your molding to create anything you desire like: the abacus, map, digestive systems, shapes, etc.

3.5 Improvisation with Cardboards, Hardboards and Plywood

There are some instructional materials that cannot be effectively made with papier mache. Those ones can be made with using cardboards, hardboards and plywood. In the area of improvising for slides, weaving, overhead projector, transparency, cardboard will be an excellent material for producing them.

Different shapes can be cut from hard board and plywood; making the abacus, pantograph and many more.

4.0 CONCLUSION

We have studied in this unit some of the factors that influence improvisation of instructional materials and typical improvisation techniques.

5.0 SUMMARY

Improvisation is always a necessary technique to safeguard teaching-learning activity from problem of scarcity of required media in the classroom setting.

6.0 TUTOR MARKED ASSIGNMENT

(1) What improvisation technique would you employ in order to show a film in a classroom that has been wired but yet to get connected to the main supply of electricity?

(2) List four disadvantages of improvisation with specific reference to the production of a particular material.

(3) Mention one material/medium that can be used to improvise for the teaching of the following:

(a) the location of each continent in the world with their longitudinal differences;

(b) the digestive system and alimentary canal of a mammal;

(c) multiple production of a particular image;

(d) name five instructional materials you can build with papier mache.

7.0 REFERENCES AND FURTHER READINGS

Abifarin, M.S. (2004). Modern Approach to Educational Technology, Lagos: Inter-venture Publishers Limited.

Abimbade, A. (1997). Principles and Practice of Educational Technology, Ibadan: International Publishers Limited.

Adewoyin, J.A. (2004). Fundamentals of Educational Technology, Lagos: Raytel Communications Limited.

Ajelabi, A. (2005). Essentials of Educational Technology, Lagos: Raytel Communications Limited.

Salawu, I.O., Afolabi, A.O. and Taiwo, S.A. (2001). Essentials of Educational Technology, Oyo:

Kay Blessing Ventures.

Salisu, S.O. (2002). Educational Technology: A Theory and Practice Course Text, Lagos: Ikofa Press Limited.

UNIT 3 LETTERING