Lesson 18

         

                 The EDUCATIONAL MEDIA CENTER

An Educational Media Center is more than a collection of instructional materials because it incorporates a systematic plan or program in the proper use and delivery of effective instruction. Thus it is a product of a collaborative plan and effort of the teachers and the school administrators. It is therefore considered an integral part of the curriculum.

Resources Found in the Educational Media Center

A. Human Resources

1. EMC Director, who is the overall in charge of maintaining and delivering the services offered by the center,

2. The technician, who is adept in manipulating, using and who can troubleshoot simple problems that may arise in using the different equipment.

3. The librarian who is in charge of filing or arranging systematically the different instructional media for easier loaning out to students and teachers.

4. The artist who assists the teachers and students in producing unavailable instructional materials.

5. The Computer instructor.

B. Technological Resources refers to the scientific and specialized knowledge on the use and application of educational media to teaching and learning. Specifically, there should be contained brochures, flyers, information sheets, bulletins and others to guide and inform teachers, students and the community of the services the EMC can offer. These may include upgraded research, investigation and exploration on the use of media materials not only to education but to other facets of life for the benefit of the community as well.

INSTRUCTIONAL TECHNOLOGY CENTER (ITC)

C. Material Resources include the lo-tech instructional materials which are arranged systematically for easy access. These are realia, contrived experiences, pictorial media, visuals, audio media, OHP, computer units, production and viewing space.

Importance of EMC

      Provides teachers and students easy access for information search.

      Maintains a pool of instructional material ready for use as need arises.

      Serves as a venue for multi-media learning for more positive results

      Provides for individualized instruction, and independent learning, hence it promote self confidence

      Allows the students and teachers the opportunity to avail the expertise of the media technologists and specialists.

      Promotes closer linkage between administrators, teachers and students because they will work together in the maintenance of the center.

      Teachers and students can update and improve their capabilities and performances.

Characteristics of a
Functional EMC

      The EMC has an institutional media program supported by the administration. There is an existing policy on the use of the center.

      There is a regular budget for the procurement of additional units for the maintenance of the existing ones.

      The center in manned by qualified staff that can assist teachers and students to avail of the maximum benefits derived from using the media materials.

      Teachers and students are encouraged to use the educational media.

      There is an adequate pool of educational materials ranging from the lo-tech to the hi-tech ones.

      There is a systematic way of arranging specific materials for easy borrowing and retrieving system. (example-subject color coding- red for math, yellow for languages, green for science etc.)

      There is an adequate space for storing, filing, loaning and producing of instructional materials.

      The EMC is well lighted and well ventilated with provisions for darkening the room when needed in case of viewing multi-media presentations or motion pictures.