Instructional materials are used to help teach students and achieve learning objectives. Examples include textbooks, films, audio recordings, and field trips. When selecting materials, teachers should consider if the material is appropriate for the age and experience of students, aligned to curriculum standards, and unbiased. Field trips require preparation so students understand the purpose and can cite what they learned.
Effective use of materials involves preparation. Teachers should know the lesson objective and material selection. Students need to understand expectations and goals. When presenting material, teachers should have it ready under the best conditions to avoid being unprepared. Follow-up is also important to determine if the objective was achieved rather than just entertaining students.