How can the technology advances in mass communication benefit the distance education system in India? Discuss.
Answers
There are a good number of media for mass communication such as radio, Television, newspapers and films etc. Previously, the mass media in the form of illustrative were only put to marginal and individualised use. There was neither any coherent thinking nor a scientific organisation of these materials in the educational process. But their increased use has been mainly due to interest and initiative of certain teachers.
The media of communication is the medium by which a piece of information or knowledge is communicated to us. This medium is the message, which is of greater importance. Because, the same piece of information when conveyed on a printed page or over the telephone by radio, or television will appear different and have entirely a different effect on us. Hence the effectiveness of a piece of information depends upon the medium through which it is imparted. Thus, the mass-media are not only the messages, but also the massage.
Because, it massages the sensory organs and stimulates them to respond actively. Hence, the mass media is very important for class room teaching as a part of the process of instruction. The sole objective is to improve the teaching- learning process with the use of various media. Therefore, the main purpose of mass-media in education is to benefit more students with fewer teachers or to obtain quality education.
In fact, the mass media have become a well of message around the world of today and have entered into all the structures of daily life, h can be used and in fact is being used as a means of education. So the role of mass media in education is gaining importance every day.
Importance of Mass Media:
1. Mass Media provide information to the mass within a less time.
2. It takes a wide coverage of information regarding anything that is happening in any comer of the world.
3. It brings the entire world to the individual or to the classroom. Children spend hours together sitting in front of the television and can visualize, hear and acquire knowledge about the world.
4. These media easily reach groups, allow repeated use, give more reality, influence attitudes, show cause and effect relationships and ultimately motivate the audience.
5. It sends information to remote places and helps in distant learning.
6. It helps in modification of attitudes, inculcation of desirable values and acquaintance with cultural heritage.
7. Mass media acts as an agency of social change.
8. Mass media are useful for reinforcing group dynamics and interpersonal communication.
9. Mass media as means of communication make ideas clear to children and help them to acquire correct knowledge. They help in simplifying and in giving vividness to explanation.
10. Mass Media make the instruction concrete and stimulate interest and excite curiosity in things.
”Education today, therefore, has a far greater responsibility than it had ever before. It has to meet the demands of a dynamic world which change its character every day. Contemporary education has to be more comprehensive and complete than it was ever before. The role of the various agencies of education like home, society, community etc. has consequently increased, so has the role of the mass media like television, radio, cinema, newspaper increased.” So now-a-day, press, radio, cinema, television, etc. are becoming more and more important in an individual’s life.
Mass media in education are press, radio, motion-picture, television, etc. So mass media are many and these are technically called passive agencies of education. They influence the attitude and behaviour of the people indirectly. These agencies cover entertainment, informatory propaganda, historical record, education and improvement of moral judgement and moral tone of the people.
The role of media in distance education demands particular mention. In the Distance education method, it is implied that teaching is conducted through correspondence, audio-visual aids, like wireless communication, television, and phone, besides individual contacts. Distance education caters in the form of open university' can provide quality education to all classes of students of different ages, living in various and even far paces to the students who desire to combine education with employment or work at home.
It can accommodate a great variety of courses. Even the pace of knowledge would be modified for the students registered in the same course. IGNOU is envisioned as a foundation for the entire nation. One of the primary purposes of this college is to provide learning to those who have been refused the chance for higher education, either because they live in isolated and provincial areas or because of any other reason such as handicap, including economic pressures and family obligations. The research centers with audiovisual and archives facilities form an essential part of the university. Here scholars can meet their educational counselor and address their difficulties. Assistance form radio and television is also significant in distance learning.