Why Do We Use Resources in Teaching?

Woah. The big question, right?

A teaching resource can take many forms and will mean slightly different things to every teacher, parent, and child. But the basic definition is simple:

A teaching resource is material that is designed to help facilitate learning and knowledge acquisition.

But how can we get the best out of them, and why do we use resources in teaching? Let’s explore the world of teaching resources and try and find some answers!

So What Makes a Good Teaching Resource?

We believe that to make an excellent teaching resource; we must design it with you in mind. That’s why we create more and more resources every single day, ensuring that any gaps or problems are addressed so that you can teach your lessons the way you want.

Here’s what we do to ensure our teaching resources go above and beyond:

Teacher Made & Checked

All the resources we produce are made by people who know a thing or two about teaching. This way, we can guarantee that our resources are accurate and never cut corners.

Easy Access

Any resource you come across on Twinkl has been produced so that you can download it at the touch of a button and print it just as quickly. One of the reasons we started Twinkl was to make resources readily available, removing the must-search through books and folders to try and find just one resource.

Flexibility

We understand that every teacher has their teaching style, and each child has a unique way of learning. It is why we strive to make as many resources as possible easily editable, allowing you to add your personal touch to your lessons and handouts.

Keeping Up

Teachers must stay up-to-date with all the latest teaching trends and curriculum changes; therefore, we must remain alert to any new developments. We do this by being ready to produce high-quality resources at short notice, keeping up with the latest technological advancements, and using them in the classroom.

Why Use Digital Resources in Teaching?

One of the most exciting trends in teaching is the advancement of new technologies that can be used inside and out. In an ever-changing world, these advancements provide excellent benefits that can improve our education for our students and the wider world.

What Different Types of Teaching Resources are Available?

So what do teaching resources look like? Well, that’s tricky to answer – every resource is different, and many styles and formats are available. However, we strive to make the perfect resources for every teacher and every student, no matter what topic or skill they’re learning about.

Here are some of the most popular types of resources you will find in our vast collection:

  • PowerPoints – The perfect way to teach your class as a whole, PowerPoints can be an excellent way to structure your lesson and encourage class discussions.
  • Worksheets – A more particular way of working, worksheets and handouts encourage children to practice what they’ve learned and often use different exercises to cater to various learning styles.
  • Interactive Resources & Games – Excellent for getting the whole class involved in an exciting activity while reinforcing the knowledge and skills they’ve learned. Encouraging some good-spirited competition is an excellent way to engage students and get them excited about their learning.
  • Display Materials – Everyone wants their classroom to look the best, and for a good reason. Decorating your classroom helps foster a learning culture and allows your children to show off all their hard work.
  • Tests & Assessments – A less enjoyable, but still incredibly essential, part of your teaching process. Measuring your children’s process throughout the year helps you set specific learning goals for your students and provide them with the support they need.
  • Plans & Schemes – Planning takes up a lot of time in your schedule and can often feel like it’s taking time away from supporting your children’s learning. Our lesson plans help save valuable time and keep you when organizing your future teaching schedule.
  • And Many More! – If we were to list every type of resource Twinkl offers, we’d be here for a long time. Luckily enough, you’re in the perfect place to explore all the different types of resources that teachers can use – why not have a snoop around our website and see what you can find?

How to Select the Right Teaching Resources

Selecting the right learning resource for teachers can be overwhelming, especially when you are presented with various choices.

Well, there are a few essential things to consider before you start selecting your resources. First, you may already have help in mind, but you are still unsure whether it is the perfect fit. In this case, there are a couple of questions you can ask yourself about how you might adapt the resource to make it just right:

  • Are you going to use the help as it is?
  • If you are going to adapt it, what changes are you going to make? One way you could adjust the resource is by tailoring it to the specific needs of your students. Another way is to adapt the learning resource for teachers. If the resource is used by more than one class, you will want to consider how you will adjust the resource to the specific teaching style of the other teachers using it.

Here are a few areas that you should consider when selecting the right learning resource for teachers and students:

Audience and Relevance

One of the essential areas of consideration when selecting learning resources is who the relevant audience is. Knowing your audience allows you to evaluate whether the resource will meet their needs accurately. It is why our resources are split up into KS1 and KS2 etc., to make it easier to find relevant materials.

Another thing to consider is the curriculum that you are working with. It will depend on what school and country you are teaching in. You must ensure that your resources meet the relevant curriculum standards and guidelines to give your kids the best, most effective education possible.

Here are some other quick-fire questions that you can ask yourself about the relevance and suitability of your teaching resources:

  • Is the resource culturally appropriate?
  • Is the resource laid out in a way that is easy to follow and understand?
  • Is the resource engaging for students?

Educational Focus

In addition to being suitable for the students, your learning resources must also suit your needs as a teacher. To determine a resource’s suitability, you must lay out your teaching goals for the lesson and assess whether the resource will help you achieve them.

Moreover, if several different teachers are using the resource, it is also essential to consider whether it can be adapted to suit a range of teaching styles.

Here are a couple of other questions to ask when choosing a learning resource for teachers and students:

  • Is the content of the resource differentiated?
  • Is the resource suitable for classes that include children with SEN?

Ease of Use and Preparation

If there’s one thing we know at Twinkl, teachers are busy. It is why we have dedicated ourselves to creating learning resources for teachers that will help you save precious time on planning.

There are a few things to consider when determining how much effort it will require to incorporate a resource into your lesson:

  • Does the resource require any specific adaptations to make it suitable for your lesson?
  • Is the resource free, or does it exist behind a paywall?
  • Is the resource accessible for teachers with different styles to use in their lessons?
  • Is the resource reusable?

If you are working with digital resources, you should ask yourself the following questions:

  • Does the resource require a strong internet connection?
  • Is there a help section available if you encounter any issues?
  • Does the resource load quickly?

Accuracy

Last but certainly not least is accuracy. It is good if your resource is beautifully decorated, engaging, and easy to use, but if it is not accurate, it is essentially useless. A resource’s accuracy can be determined by whether it meets your class’s specific learning needs and requirements. Moreover, checking when the resource was created is good to ensure that all information is relevant and up-to-date.

Choose your Reaction!