teaching aid

American  

noun

1. material used by a teacher to supplement classroom instruction or to stimulate the interest of students.

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teaching aid British  

noun

1. any device, object, or machine used by a teacher to clarify or enliven a subject

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Usage

What is a teaching aid? A teaching aid is anything used by a teacher to help teach a lesson or make it more interesting to students. Teaching aids can come in almost any form. Some of the most common are pictures, videos, charts, flashcards, and objects, like three-dimensional models or educational toys. The term teaching aid is used to identify such materials as being a supplement to basic teaching (for example, teaching through a lecture). Teaching aids are intended to engage students in the topic being taught. Although teaching aids are sometimes more associated with elementary schooling, they can be used at every level of education and for every subject. Teaching aid should not be confused with a teacher’s aide, who assists a teacher in the classroom.

Example Sentences

Is the banana a teaching aid or a snack?

From Slate • May 15, 2021

Q. I saw you warming up with a teaching aid on the shaft of your putter.

From Golf Digest • Feb. 21, 2020

And I had the thought of, “If college level professors think enough of this show to use it as a teaching aid, then we will have done our job.”

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 26, 2019

"It is a wonderful tool for anyone interested in their ancestral history within Ulster and an excellent teaching aid for those exploring early modern Ireland," he said.

From BBC • Jun. 21, 2016

At first Gary thought it was a setup, but the instructor assured him that it wasn’t, just a little extra teaching aid.

From "Friday Night Lights: A Town, A Team, And A Dream" by H.G. Bissinger