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INSTRUCTIONAL MEDIA MATERIAL
Some Navy instructors think of instructional media material (MMM) as being synonymous
with video tapes. Others think IMM is an instructor crutch to relieve the burden of teaching,
and still others consider IMM to be sources of entertainment. Just what is IMM? It is any
device or piece of equipment that is used to help the student understand and learn. More
specifically, IMM is a specially prepared chart, poster, illustration, video tape, slide picture,
motion picture, model, mockup, recording, or piece of equipment that will assist student
understanding and expedite learning. Showing is often easier than telling. Utilizing the sense
of sight in parallel with hearing creates more effective instruction and greater retention of
information by the students.
PURPOSES OF INSTRUCTIONAL MEDIA MATERIAL
The most important purpose of IMM is to increase student understanding. Other important
purposes are to increase student retention, interest, and motivation and to provide uniformity
in training.
Increases Student Understanding
It is possible and quite probable for a group of students to form entirely different ideas about
the same thing as a result of a verbal description. Although you might describe in detail a piece
of navigation equipment, such as a sextant, unless the students have seen one, they may develop
a completely wrong idea about it. To form a more complete understanding, students need to
see the sextant or a model of it to supplement your description.
Students may have problems understanding the proper relationships of the various parts of
an object from a verbal explanation only. In the case of the sextant, you would have difficulty
making students understand the functions and relationships of the parts without the use of a
working model, cutaway, or series of charts. IMM brings subjects into perspective, produces
accurate interpretations, and aids in the understanding of relationships.
Increases Student Interest and Motivation
IMM is far more effective in attracting attention and creating interest than a verbal
description given without the use of an aid. Use IMM that will capture your students’ attention
and continue to hold their attention as the lesson progresses.
Students may not be attracted by a description of the various types of small arms; but their
curiosity will be aroused immediately by the display of a rifle, pistol, shotgun, or carbine.
Focus the attention and concentration of the entire group on the specific part you are
teaching about. Our minds tend to concentrate on the thing upon which our eyes are focused
(sense of sight).
The satisfiaction of having done a job well is a feeling familiar to everyone. A similar reaction
occurs in a training situation when a student feels the instruction is of definite value. The
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