Educational resources can be classified based on how they are delivered and their medium. Public schools, after-school programs, community college courses, and professional development workshops are some examples. Books, videos, multimedia presentations, and the internet are also widely used resources. The internet offers access to millions of educational websites, but users should be cautious about their reliability.
There are a couple of different ways to classify and group educational resources, but in most cases they are divided based on both how they are delivered and their basic medium. Some of the more common resources are provided by governments and community groups and are essentially services; public schools are one of the most obvious participants in this category, although things like after-school classes and extracurricular activities are also usually included. For adults, things like community college courses fit this bill. Enrichment classes and programs for all ages in recreation centers and community organizations can also be significant. Then there are also a number of professional development resources that can help teachers, educators and other professionals do their jobs better. Books, whether educational, historical, or fiction-based, are also widely credited as an educational resource, although learning is often more indirect and user-driven; things like videos, multimedia presentations, and the wider internet can be included. Whether or not some of the latter is truly educational is often a matter of circumstance as well as opinion, although most experts agree that almost anything can be an asset to education as long as it is used correctly.
Schools in general
In most places, the primary educational resource that every person encounters is their basic education. Most communities provide free education, typically government-sponsored, for all children, and limited adult learning opportunities may also be available. Beyond learning basic facts and core subjects, schools are often a place where children and young adults begin to encounter ideas and concepts outside their normal scope of thinking. Classrooms are usually where students learn new information and begin to formulate patterns of thinking and processing that will inform how they approach work and life well into adulthood.
Extended Assistance and Vacation Enrichment Programs
After-school programs are another type of resource. Many schools offer these types of programs on site and can also be hosted independently in communities. In the United States, for example, most localities have a Parks and Recreation department, often based by county but sometimes divided by region or neighborhood; these departments usually offer a variety of programs for all ages. Programs can include everything from sports and art classes to stargazing and educational trips to nearby regions.
Some activities are free, but most enrichment courses, regardless of where they are offered, are operated for a fee. Schedules and offers are also subject to change based on the season of the year.
Professional Development
Teachers often turn to educational workshops and conferences to broaden their knowledge of the subjects they teach. Many professional organizations offer conferences on at least an annual basis where teachers can attend a variety of sessions related to their primary subject or field of interest. For example, in the United States, the National Council of Teachers of English holds an annual conference in a different city each year for its members where teachers can attend sessions, participate in panel discussions and receive a wide variety of complementary materials and new teaching aids. Teachers are also able to network at these events in order to build educational partnerships and share best practice. In many places there are also home schooling conventions where parents can learn more about effective teaching of children at home and the new materials that are available.
These types of events have the dual benefit of providing educators with new materials as well as an opportunity to converse and network with others whose jobs may be similar. Education is often thought of as very fluid, based on both texts and experiences. Challenging teachers and school leaders to consider different perspectives and materials can make the wider learning landscape much more robust.
Books
Books in their many forms are often the most commonly cited stand-alone resource for education. They are a reference as well as a tool, and reading, regardless of subject matter, is believed to improve many aspects of education more broadly. This is especially true for children. When children read books or have them read books, they are able to improve their speaking, writing and listening skills. Fostering a love of books at an early age can help people increase their literacy skills throughout their lives.
Books can be found on virtually any subject and in a variety of reading levels. Communities in most places sponsor free public libraries that provide access as well as research services, and many universities and colleges also have more specialized collections.
Digital media and the Internet
You can rent and purchase videos and educational programs on a variety of topics. Many teachers use video in the classroom to provide their students with a visual and auditory experience to enhance what they have already learned in class. Many television channels also offer specialized programs in a range of subject areas. Additionally, there are a number of Internet sites that offer instructional videos for use both in and outside the classroom.
The internet is an excellent source for a variety of educational resources, including e-books, videos, workshops, and more. Through the internet, people can get instant access to millions of different educational websites based around the world. Videos are one of the most used educational resources found online, as they connect to different types of learning styles. A simple search online can lead the user to a multitude of learning options, however, as with most anything online, some sources are more reliable and valuable than others. Users are often best served by visiting a couple of different sites that are hosted by well-known organizations in order to obtain the clearest and most accurate information.
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