GB2408835A

GB2408835A - Teaching aid with pockets for receiving cards

Info

Publication number: GB2408835A
Application number: GB0327955A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Fleur Joanna Sexton
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2003-12-03
Filing date: 2003-12-03
Publication date: 2005-06-08
Also published as: GB0327955D0

Abstract

A teaching aid (30) compromises a carrier member (32) provided with a number of pockets (14), a set of teaching cards (16) to be received within the pockets (14), and a fixing means for attaching a card (16) to the external surface of a pocket (14), so that cars may be located on the external surface of a pocket or received within a pocket. Preferably the carrier member is fabric board (32) having a number of fleece fabric pockets (14) arranged in rows. A handle (34) may also be provided so that a teacher may hold the board (32) up whilst teaching. Teaching cards (16) may be provided with hook fasteners so that they may be attached to the front of a pocket (14) by hook and loop fasteners. The teaching aid (30) may also comprise a sound system for generating sounds relating to images displayed on the teaching cards (16). The teaching cards (16) being provided with a detectable electronic tag.

Description

Teaching Aid The invention relates to a teaching aid, and in particular,

but not exclusively, to a teaching aid for literacy learning.

Learning, for example learning the letters of the alphabet and their order, word s formation, reading words and letters, and learning arithmetic is generally accepted to be more rapid when carried out using teaching aids. This is particularly true in the case of children. There are many literacy teaching aids currently in existence, including books, puzzles and display charts. These teaching aids generally provide a representation of a letter, word or number which the child must identify and read. There is minimal to interaction of the child with the teaching aid, with the child or teacher generally pointing at the letter, word or number to be identified and read.

According to the present invention there is provided a teaching aid comprising: a carrier member; a plurality of pockets provided on one side of the carrier member; I5 a set of teaching cards, each card being of a size suitable to be received within a pocket; and fixing means for attaching a teaching card to the external surface of a pocket, such that in use a teaching card may be located on the external surface of a pocket or received within a pocket.

ho Each teaching card preferably has one or more indicia provided on one side. The indicia may comprise a letter, in either uppercase or lowercase, two or more letters which together form a phonic sound, part of a word, a word, an abbreviation, an acronym, a chemical symbol or formula, or a number. The letters may be visual characters or may comprise Braille characters.

A teaching card may alternatively or additionally have a picture, a photograph or a colour block provided on one side.

The carrier member preferably comprises a sheet of a fabric or a plastics material, and may be flexible or substantially rigid. The carrier member may further comprise mounting means for fixing the carrier member to a wall. The carrier member may so alternatively or additionally comprise a handle to be held by a user. 1,

Pockets may be provided on both sides of the carrier member. The pockets may be formed from a fabric or a plastics material, and may be flexible or substantially rigid.

The pockets are preferably distributed across the or each surface of the carrier member.

The pockets may be arranged in rows, or may be arranged in a grid or matrix, such as that corresponding to the periodic table, a timetable, a calendar, an advent calendar, a cross-word grid or a clock-face The fixing means preferably comprises a first part provided on the external surface of a pocket and a second part provided on the other side of a teaching card. The fixing means preferably comprises fleece and hook fastener. Preferably, the fleece part is lo provided across at least part of the external surface of the pocket and the hook part is provided on part of the other side of the teaching card. The fixing means may alternatively comprise a magnetic fastener, in the form of a magnetic first part and a metallic second part. Preferably, the magnetic first part is provided on the pocket and the metallic second part is provided on the teaching card.

The teaching aid preferably further comprises a set of match-up items, to be matched- up with a relevant teaching card. The match-up items preferably comprise a set of match-up cards. Each match-up card preferably has one or more indicia provided on one side. The indicia may comprise a letter, in either uppercase or lowercase, two or more letters which together form a phonic sound, part of a word, a word, a phrase or a go number. The letters may be visual characters or may comprise Braille characters.

A match-up card may alternatively or additionally have a picture, a photograph or a colour block provided on one side.

One or more match-up items may comprise a two- or three-dimensional object.

One or more match-up cards or teaching cards may be blank on one side, being provided with a wipe-clean coating such that a user may write or draw one or more indicia, a picture or a colour thereon. The teaching aid may further comprise a non- permanent pen for writing on the wipe-clean coating.

One or more match-up cards or teaching cards may alternatively or additionally be provided with fixing means, such as a mechanical clip, for attaching an object to the so card. One or more teaching cards or match-up cards may further alternatively or additionally be provided with a textured material, such as wool, felt, sandpaper or wood, across at least part of one surface.

The teaching aid may further comprise a sound system operable to generate a sound which corresponds to the indicia, picture, photograph or colour provided on a teaching card or match-up card, or to a match-up object. The sound may comprise a voice speaking a letter, a phonic sound, a word or a phrase or may comprise a noise related to the indicia, picture, photograph or object.

The sound system preferably comprises identification means operable to identifying a teaching card or a match-up card or object, sound storage means, processor means lo operable to match a card or object to the corresponding stored sound, and speaker means operable to broadcast the sound.

The identification means may comprise an identification marker provided on a teaching card, a match-up card or a match-up object and reader means operable to receive information from an identification marker. The identification marker may be an electronic tag. The reader means may be an active reader means operable to actively interrogate an identification marker, or may be a passive reader means operable to passively receive information from an identification marker. The reader means is preferably provided within the carrier member. A reader means may be provided within the carrier member within the area of a pocket, or may alternatively be provided within a wall of a so pocket.

The identification means is preferably automatically operable on the event of the identification marker and the reader means being brought into communicative contact with one another. The identification means may alternatively further comprise a manually operable button, activation of the button by a user initiating operation of the identification means. The button may be provided within the teaching card, match-up card or match-up object, or may be provided on the carrier member.

The sound storage means, processor means and speaker means may be provided within the carrier member. Alternatively, the sound storage means and the processor means may be provided externally to the carrier member and the speaker means so provided within the carrier member. Further alternatively, the sound storage means, the processor means and the speaker means may be provided externally to the carrier member. The sound storage means and the processor means are preferably provided within a personal computer. The speaker means may comprise the speakers of the personal computer.

The teaching aid may further comprise visual display means coupled to the sound system and operable to display video imagery which corresponds to the indicia, picture, photograph or colour provided on a teaching card or match-up card, or to a match-up object. The visual display means preferably comprises a personal computer, which may be further operable to record patterns of usage of the teaching aid.

The teaching aid may further comprise a timer means, which may be provided on the lo board or within the computer, so that teaching activities may be carried out against the clock.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described in detail, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a diagrammatic representation of a teaching aid according to a first Is embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 is a diagrammatic representation of a teaching aid according to a second embodiment of the invention; Figure 3 is a diagrammatic representation of a) number teaching cards, b) phonic teaching cards and c) word part teaching cards, suitable for fixing onto or placing in the to pockets shown in Figures 1 or 2; Figure 4 is a diagrammatic representation of a) word teaching cards, b) abbreviation and acronym teaching cards and c) flag teaching cards, suitable for fixing onto or placing in the pockets shown in Figures 1 or 2; Figure 5 is a diagrammatic representation of a) number match-up cards, b) phonic us match-up cards and c) word part match-up cards, suitable for placing in the pockets shown in Figures 1 or 2; Figure 6 is a diagrammatic representation of a) word match-up cards, b) abbreviation and acronym match-up cards and c) countries match-up cards, suitable for placing in the pockets shown in Figures 1 or 2; Figure 7 is a diagrammatic representation of part of a teaching aid according to a third embodiment of the invention; Figure 8 is a diagrammatic representation of a teaching card or match-up card suitable for use with the teaching aid of the third embodiment of the invention; Figure 9 is a diagrammatic representation of part of a teaching aid according to a fourth embodiment of the invention; Figure 10 is a diagrammatic representation of the carrier member and pockets of a teaching aid according to a fifth embodiment of the invention; and Figure 11 is a diagrammatic representation of a) teaching cards and b) match-up cards to suitable for use with the teaching aid of the fifth embodiment of the invention.

Referring to Figure 1, a first embodiment of the invention provides a teaching aid 10, which comprises a carrier member in the form of a plastic board 12 on which 30 pockets 14 are provided in five rows of six pockets 14. The teaching aid 10 also includes a set of teaching cards 16 (only part of a set of alphabet letter teaching cards 16 is shown).

The pockets 14 are formed from flexible plastics sheeting and are of a size suitable to receive a teaching card 16, through the opening 1 4a at the top of each pocket 14.

The teaching aid 10 also comprises fixing means for attaching a teaching card 16 to the front face of a pocket 14. In this example the fixing means takes the form of fleece and hook fastener, with the fleece part 18 being provided across the front face of each So pocket 14 and the hook part (not shown) being provided across an area of the reverse face of each teaching card 16.

The teaching aid 10 also comprises a plastic loop 20 by which the board 12 may be hung on a wall by means of an appropriate fixture, such as a nail.

In use, the learner, a child in this case, attaches the teaching cards 16 onto the pockets 14 in alphabetic order, the child identifying the next letter in the alphabet and putting the teaching card 16 showing that letter in its correct position within the series. Once the alphabet has been formed the teacher and pupil may read the alphabet out loud and then remove the teaching cards 16, either in alphabetic order or at random. When the relevant teaching card 16 has been detached from its pocket 14 it is put inside the pocket 14, so that the letter remains in its correct position but is no longer on view.

A teaching aid 30 according to a second embodiment of the invention is shown in Figure 2. The teaching aid 30 is substantially the same as the teaching aid 10 of Figure 1, with the following modifications. The same reference numerals are retained for corresponding features.

In this embodiment the carrier member comprises a fabric board 32 and the pockets 14 are also formed from pieces of fabric, sewn or glued onto the fabric board 32. The pockets 14 are formed from fabrics of various different colours. A handle 34 is provided to along the upper edge of the fabric board 32, so that a teacher may hold the fabric board 32 up while teaching.

The teaching aid 30 further comprises a set of match-up cards 36, which in this example also comprise letters of the alphabet (only part of the set is shown).

In use, similarly to the first embodiment, the teaching cards 16 are attached to the front Is of the pockets 14 in alphabetic order. Once this has been achieved each match-up card 36 is matched by the child to its corresponding teaching card 16, and is placed by the child into the corresponding pocket 14. This may be done in alphabetic order or randomly. As before, the letters and the alphabet may be read out by the teacher and the child at each stage, including during identification and location of the teaching cards ho 16 and match-up cards 36.

Various sets of teaching cards 16 may be used, as shown in Figures 3 and 4. Fig. 3(a) shows part of a set of number teaching cards 16, Fig. 3(b) shows part of a set of phonic sounds teaching cards 16, and Fig. 3(c) shows part of a set of word part teaching cards 16, the word parts being the start of a word in this example. Fig. 4(a) shows part of a us set of word teaching cards 16, Fig. 4(b) shows part of a set of abbreviation and acronym teaching cards 16, and Fig. 4(c) shows part of a set of flag teaching cards 16.

Various sets of match-up cards 36 may be used, as shown in Figures 5 and 6. Fig. 5(a) shows part of a set of number match-up cards 36, to be used with the teaching cards 16 of Fig. 3(a) to teach number recognition and simple arithmetic. For example, the so teaching cards 16 showing the numbers 2 and 3 would be placed into a pocket 14 by a learner, and the match-up card 36 showing the answer to the sum would be attached to the front of the pocket 14. Fig. 5(b) shows part of a set of word and picture match-up cards 36, to be used with the teaching cards 16 of Fig. 3(b), the picture or word being matched to its respective phoneme. Fig. 5(c) shows part of a set of word part match-up cards 36, to be used with the teaching cards 16 of Fig. 3(c) to teach word formation, the word parts being the end of each word.

Fig. 6(a) shows part of a set of word and picture match-up cards 36, to be used with the teaching cards of Fig. 4(a) to teach word rhyming. Fig. 6(b) shows part of a set of word match-up cards 36, to be used with the teaching cards 16 of Fig. 4(b), to teach abbreviations and acronyms. Fig. 6(c) shows a set of country match-up cards 16, to be to used with the teaching cards 16 of Fig. 4(c), to teach countries names and flags.

A teaching aid 40 according to a third embodiment of the invention is shown in Figures 7 and 8. This teaching aid is similar to the teaching aid 10 of the first embodiment, with the following modifications.

The teaching aid 40 further includes a sound system which comprises an identification marker 42 provided on each teaching card 16, an identification marker reader 44 provided within each pocket 14, a sound storage and signal processing device 46 and a speaker 48.

In this example, the identification marker 42 takes the form of an electronic tag in which identification information is stored. Each reader 44 is connected to the sound storage JO and signal processing device 46 (the connecting wiring is not shown for reasons of clarity). The reader 44 is operable to generate an r.f. interrogation signal and receive an r. f. identification signal back containing the identification information from the tag 42.

The reader 44 is automatically operable on a marker 42 being brought into the communication range of the reader 44.

as The sound storage and signal processing device 46 takes the form of a microprocessor unit within which a sound recording is stored for each teaching card 16. The microprocessor 46 is operable to match the corresponding recorded sound to the appropriate teaching card 16, according to the identification information received by the respective reader 44. The sound may comprise a human voice reading the letter, so phoneme or word provided on the teaching card. The output of the microprocessor 46 is connected to the speaker 48.

In use, when a teaching card 16 is attached to a pocket 14, the reader 44 within that pocket 14 interrogates the identification marker 42 on the teaching card 16 and passes the identification information to the microprocessor 46. The microprocessor 46 retrieves the corresponding recorded sound and transmits the sound recording to the speaker 48 which broadcasts the sound.

Figure 9 shows a teaching aid 50 according to a fourth embodiment of the invention which is similar to the teaching aid 30 of Figure 2, with the following modifications. The same reference numerals are retained for corresponding features.

In this embodiment the teaching aid 50 includes a sound system which comprises an lo identification marker (not shown) provided on each teaching card 16 and each match-up card 36, an identification marker reader 44 provided within each pocket 14, a sound storage and signal processing device, which in this example takes the form of a personal computer 52 and speakers 54 connected to the speaker outputs of the computer 52. The teaching aid 50 also includes a visual display unit, also provided by the computer 52, for displaying video images.

As in the previous embodiment, the identification marker 42 takes the form of an electronic tag in which identification information is stored. Each reader 44 is connected to the computer 52 via connecting wiring 56 (the sections within the board 32 are not shown for reasons of clarity). The reader 44 is operable to generate an r.f. interrogation JO signal and receive an r.f. identification signal back containing the identification information from the tag 42. The reader 44 is automatically operable on a marker 42 being brought into the communication range of the reader 44.

The computer 52 is operable to match a recorded sound and/or video clip, held within its memory, to the appropriate teaching card 16, according to the identification as information received by the respective reader 44. The sound may comprise a voice speaking the letter, phonic sound, word or phrase on the respective teaching card 16 or match-up card 36, or may comprise a noise related to the word, picture, photograph or object on the teaching card 16 or match-up card 36.

In use, when a teaching card 16 is attached to a pocket 14 or a match-up card 36 is JO placed within a pocket 14, the reader 44 within that pocket 14 interrogates the identification marker 42 on the teaching card 16 or match-up card 36 and passes the identification information to the computer 52. The computer 52 retrieves the corresponding recorded sound and/or video clip from its memory and transmits the sound recording to the speakers 54 which broadcast the sound and displays the video clip on the computer monitor 58.

A teaching aid 60 according to a fifth embodiment of the invention is shown in Figures and 11. The teaching aid 60 comprises a carrier member in the form of a plastic board 62, across which a plurality of pockets 64 are provided. A set of teaching cards 66 and a set of match-up cards 68 are also provided.

In this embodiment, the pockets 64 are arranged in the form of the periodic table. The lo teaching cards 66 show the chemical symbols of the elements and the match-up cards 68 show the full names of the elements.

In use, each teaching card 66 is attached to the correspondingly located pocket 64, to build the periodic table. The match-up cards 68 are then matched to the corresponding teaching card 66 and placed inside the pocket 64.

Various modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention.

For example, the printed letters, word parts, words, chemical symbols and numbers may be replaced by Braille equivalents enabling the teaching aids to be used by blind learners.

The teaching cards and match-up cards may show different words and word parts to so those described, and may show different flags and pictures to those described. One or more of the teaching cards or match-up cards may be blank, being provided with a wipe-clean surface which a teacher can write their own indicia or pictures on. A non- permanent marker pen, such as an overhead projector transparency marker pen would be provided for writing on blank cards.

A teaching card or match-up card may have a textured material provided across one surface, to facilitate the teaching of words relating to textures, for example sandpaper to teach "rough", faux fur to teach "furry", or wood to teach "wooden". A teaching card or match-up card may also, or alternatively, have a mechanical clip, such as a bulldog clip, attached to one side so that a teacher or learner can attach their own object, such as a so leaf, flower, photograph or picture to a card.

Pockets may be provided across both sides of the board. The pockets may be provided in a different arrangement to those described and a different number of pockets may be used. The pockets may be arranged in the form of a calendar, advent calendar, timetable, such as a train timetable, a crossword grid or a clock face. The board may be a different shape to those shown, and for example may be circular.

Where the teaching aid is described with the board mounted on a wall or held by a teacher, it will be appreciated that the board may alternatively be used laying on a surface such as a table or the floor, or may be free standing.

The teaching aid may also include a stop-clock timer on the board or within the lo computer, so that activities may be carried out against the clock or timed.

The described teaching aids provided various advantages, as follows. The combination of touch, vision and sound within the context of classification which a learner experiences using the teaching aids provides an optimal learning process and makes the use of the teaching aid a memorable interaction. The combination of identification of subject matter and physical interaction with the teaching aid results in the learner quickly establishing ownership of the teaching aid and leads to rapid comprehension and improved attention of the learner. In the case of the alphabetic letter teaching cards and the chemical symbol teaching cards, the creation of the alphabet or periodic table on the board during each lesson creates a sense of ownership of the teaching aid by so the learner, which can improve the learning process. The classification activity of matching the match-up cards to the teaching cards forms an effective learning tool.

The literacy teaching aids are compatible with the National Literacy Strategy and the National Curriculum, in particular for Reception Year pupils and Key Stage 1. In particular, the literacy teaching aids can be used when teaching the following to reception year pupils: hearing and identifying initial sounds in words; reading letter(s) that represent(s) the sounds a-z, ch, ski, th; sounding and naming each letter of the alphabet in upper and lower case; understanding alphabetic order; discriminating "onsets" from "rimes" in speech and spelling; identifying alliteration in new and invented words; reading on sight a range of familiar words; reading on sight the 45 high so frequency words to be taught by the end of reception year; reading on sight words from texts of appropriate difficulty; learning new words; and making collections of words of personal interest or significance and words linked to particular topics.

The literacy teaching aids are compatible with all reading schemes, and teach that letters make shapes, sounds and words. The literacy teaching aids are suitable for use by children of any ability level, including gifted children and children with learning difficulties. The teaching aids can also be used by blind learners.

Claims

Claims 1. A teaching aid comprising: a carrier member; a plurality of

pockets provided on one side of the carrier member; a set of teaching cards, each card being of a size suitable to be received within a pocket; and fixing means for attaching a teaching card to the external surface of a pocket, such that in use a teaching card may be located on the external surface of a pocket or received within a pocket.
2. A teaching aid as claimed in claim 1, wherein each teaching card has one or more indicia, a picture, a photograph or a colour block provided on one side.
3. A teaching aid as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the carrier member comprises a sheet of a fabric or a plastics material and the pockets are formed from a fabric or a plastics material.
4. A teaching aid as claimed in claim 3, wherein pockets are provided on both sides of the carrier member.
5. A teaching aid as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the pockets are distributed across the surface of the carrier member in rows, or in a grid or matrix, such as that corresponding to the periodic table, a timetable, a calendar, an advent calendar or a cross-word grid.
6. A teaching aid as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the fixing means comprises a first part provided on the external surface of a pocket and a second part provided on the other side of a teaching card.
7. A teaching aid as claimed in claim 6, wherein the fixing means comprises fleece and hook fastener or a magnetic fastener.
8. A teaching aid as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the teaching aid further comprises a set of match-up items, to be matched-up with a relevant teaching card.
9. A teaching aid as claimed in claim 8, wherein the match-up items comprise a set of match-up cards, each match-up card has one or more indicia, a picture, a photograph or a colour block provided on one side.
10. A teaching aid as claimed in any of claims 1 to 8, wherein one or more match-up items comprise a two- or three-dimensional object.
11. A teaching aid as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein a match-up card or teaching card is provided with fixing means for attaching an object to the card.
12. A teaching aid as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein a teaching card or match-up card is provided with a textured material across at least part of one surface.
13. A teaching aid as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the teaching aid further comprises a sound system operable to generate a sound which corresponds to the indicia, picture, photograph or colour provided on a teaching card or match-up card, or to a match-up object.
14. A teaching aid as claimed in claim 13, wherein the sound system comprises identification means operable to identify a teaching card or a match-up card or object, sound storage means, processor means operable to match a card or object to the corresponding stored sound, and speaker means operable to broadcast the sound.
15. A teaching aid as claimed in claim 14, wherein the identification means comprises an identification marker provided on a teaching card, a match-up card or a match-up object and reader means operable to receive information from an identification marker.
16. A teaching aid as claimed in claim 15, wherein the identification marker is an electronic tag.
17. A teaching aid as claimed in claim 16, wherein the reader means is provided within the carrier member within the area of a pocket, or is provided within a wall of a pocket. r
18. A teaching aid as claimed in any of claims 13 to 17, wherein the teaching aid further comprises visual display means coupled to the sound system and operable to display video imagery which corresponds to the indicia, picture, photograph or colour provided on a teaching card or match-up card, or to a match-up object.
19. A teaching aid substantially as described above with reference to the accompanying drawings.