Teaching tools in didactics are used to indicate a particular component of the learning process. They are of great importance for the implementation of the managerial and informational functions of the teacher. In addition, they represent material or ideal objects used for the development of new knowledge, practical and cognitive activities and the formation of experience. The classification of teaching aids is ambiguous, therefore, different scientists have different approaches to this issue. Vocational training tools are tools used by teachers and students in their activities.
Currently, there is more than one classification of teaching aids. In fact, there are many of them, and they all differ from each other by the feature laid in their foundation. So, according to the composition of objects, they can be divided into material, that is, equipment, facilities, class schedules, computers, furniture, and ideal, that is, iconic models, figurative representations, thought experiments.
If we pay attention to how educational tools relate to the sources of appearance, then we can distinguish the following groups: natural ones are herbariums, preparations, natural objects, and artificial ones are textbooks, paintings, and devices. There is a classification of complexity. It includes simple (cards, models) and complex (computers, video recorders) training tools.
According to the method of use, they are divided into static, for example, slides, and dynamic, for example, a video. In addition, learning tools can relate to different objects. This means that they are used by the teacher as a class journal, or by students as a workbook.
The classification of teaching aids by the nature of the impact is as follows: audio — a tape recorder, visual — measuring instruments, diagrams, and audiovisual — a computer. In addition, you can divide them according to the peculiarities of their structure. Let’s say a diagram refers to flat, a globe refers to three-dimensional, and various multimedia presentations to virtual ones.
In the process of identifying various groups of teaching aids, attention should be paid to the fact that the storage medium is also different. In this context, the following groups can be distinguished: paper - a textbook, laser - DVD, CD-ROM, electronic - various computer programs and magneto-optical - films. In addition, do not forget that there are different levels of educational content. Based on this, learning tools are allocated at the lesson level, that is, handout, the next group - at the level of the subject - didactic materials, textbooks, and the third group - at the level of the learning process in general - classrooms.
The classification of teaching aids in relation to technological progress is as follows: there are three groups. The first is traditional (libraries, museums, visual aids); the second - modern (multimedia, computers, media); the third - promising (local and global computer networks, Web sites).
There is a concept of the function of teaching tools in didactics. By it is meant how outwardly the teaching aids appear that are used in the educational process exclusively for a specific purpose. It is proved that learning tools - this is one of the main factors affecting the process of education and training. So what functions can be distinguished? First of all, training tools are designed to reduce the time spent on the perception of various educational information. In addition, with their help, all the necessary information is transferred. Another function is the ability to consider the studied object as a whole and in parts. And also they are designed to ensure the activities of the teacher and students. And for this, in the lesson they should always be used comprehensively.