Stimulus Pictures for Language Development

Abstract

Stimulus pictures can be either one of the most valuable or one of the most misused of teaching aids. If they are simply displayed for an indefinite period, around the classroom walls as decoration, they will quickly become valueless. However, an imaginative teacher should find relevant study prints of value over a wide range of teaching methods and subject areas.

In compiling notes on the use of the set of pictures produced by this Branch, a number of guiding principles were followed. The notes are simply an introduction, not a comprehensive course. Each teacher, each class and each situation will cause the use of the pictures to vary, making it impossible to produce detailed courses with general applicability. Even if such a prescriptive course were possible, we would consider it highly undesirable. The value of the prints will be enhanced to the degree to which they are used creatively, according to the needs of the particular situation.

The notes will seek to present more of a generalised framework to assist teachers in developing their own methods of utilizing the pictures. Various ways of using study prints will be listed and types of questioning and interaction strategies discussed.