The question often arises, " What makes for a good teaching aid?" Well, the answer is somewhat in the eye of the beholder. If you are a teacher and you have developed an aid and it works for you, it’s a good (or even great) aid. However, some guidelines that will help you develop a good (or even great) aid can be garnered from the judging rules for National Teaching Aids competitions. They are as follows:

Aids are judged for:

USEFULNESS: (0-50 points) Is it truly relevant to the subject? Will it reduce the time required to teach the subject? Is the aid (including the wording) large enough to be seen by the entire class? Is it self-explanatory?

PORTABILITY: (0-15 points) Can it be quickly readied for class use? Are the size and weight convenient for handling and storage? Is it for individual instruction or class demonstration?

COST: (0-15 points) Can it be duplicated economically? Can it be duplicated by the average Squadron with readily available equipment and/or material?

DURABILITY: (0-10 points) Will it withstand repeated use? Can it be satisfactorily used by the average teacher?

ATTRACTIVENESS: (0-10 points) Does it have eye appeal? Is it realistic looking? Has color been used for more effective appearance?

A judge who finds an aid to be technically incorrect disqualifies it and does not score it. Decisions of the judges are final.

Aids and artwork developed by USPS for a course (for example, overhead transparencies available with the course material) are not eligible for judging.

P/D/Lt.C John J. Rodgers, S
TAO, D27