Importance Of Materials Evaluation

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In Tomlinson’s (2003) words, materials evaluation is a procedure that involves measuring the value of a set of learning materials. In his words, there are many types of materials evaluation. He classifies the most important types of materials evaluation as follows:
a) Pre-use Evaluation Pre-use evaluation involves making predictions about the potential value of materials for their users. It can be context-free. Often pre-use evaluation is impressionistic and consists of a teacher flicking through a book to gain a quick impression of its potential value.
b) Whilst-use Evaluation This involves measuring the value of materials whilst using them or whilst observing them being used. It can be more objective and reliable than …show more content…

Achievement of performance objectives
G. Practicality of the materials
H. Teachability of the materials
I. Flexibility of the materials
J. Appeal of the materials
K. Motivating power of the materials
L. Impact of the materials
c) Post-use Evaluation Post-use evaluation as a valuable, but least administered type of evaluation tries to measure the actual effects of the materials on the users. It can measure the short-term effect as regards motivation, impact, achievability, instant learning, etc. and also it can measure the long term effect as regards durable learning and application. It can answer such questions as:
A. What do the learners know which they did not know before starting to use the materials?
B. What do the learners still not know despite using the materials?
C. What can the learners do which they could not do before starting to use the materials?
D. What can the learners still not do despite using the materials?
E. To what extent have the materials prepared the learners for their examinations?
F. To what extent have the materials prepared the learners for their post-course use of the target language?
G. What effect have the materials had on the confidence of the …show more content…

Did the materials help the teachers to cover the syllabus?
L. Did the administrators find the materials helped them to standardize the teaching in their situation? In other words, it can measure the actual outcomes of the use of the materials and thus the data on which reliable decisions about the use, adaptation or replacement of the materials can be made.
2.1.6.2. Rea-Dickens and Germaine Model Rea-Dickens and Germaine (1992) believe that teaching materials should be defined in the following manner before they are evaluated:
1. What can materials mean to teachers?
a) Does the teacher confine herself/himself solely to the textbook or does the teacher refer to other sources like a teacher’s guide, video, listening tapes, etc.?
b) Does the teacher distinguish between traditional materials meant for teaching/ learning purposes and authentic materials?
c) Does the teacher use materials created by teachers and learners?
2. The relation between materials and the social context:
a) What roles are the materials likely to play?
b) What goals and objectives are the materials likely to accomplish?
3. How are the materials to be used?
a) Are the materials the only resource for teaching?
b) Are they one of several other

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