Conceptualising Teaching Learning Resources

The term ‘teaching learning resource’ (TLR) 1 is in itself an expansive concept comprising a range of possible resources that can be used to aid both teaching and learning. Any resource, whether tangible or intangible, print or non-print, natural or human-made, that provides teaching learning opportunities for both teachers and students may be considered a TLR. When used in the context of formal school education, it is important that the resource in question meets the demands of the curriculum or syllabus, is consistent with the learners’ ages and developmental levels, and is appropriate for the sociocultural contexts in which they are situated. There are various terminologies used interchangeably to refer to such resources – teaching learning materials (TLMs), 2 instructional materials/teaching aids, or learning aids, and so on. Despite a few differences among these nomenclatures, addressed later in the chapter, they all refer to resources that facilitate teaching learning processes. 3