EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY
 

Introduction

The importance of educational technology for widening of educational programmes was emphasised in the Sixth Plan and the possibilities of utilising INSAT facilities specially at the elementary stage was envisaged. The Seventh Plan Approach Paper also recognises the emerg- ing role of broadcasting, telecommunications and computers in provid- ing informations, imparting skills and developing capabilities to the mass of pupil through electronic media. Taking note of the experience with SITE in 1975-76 which established the potentials of satellite broadcast television by showing that it was possible to reach effec- tively and at low cost to very large number of school children, adults, teachers and extension workers in remote areas where communi- cation and educational facilities were inadequate, the Group recom- mends further expansion and strengthening of the educational technolo- gy scheme whereby central assistance is being provided in selected States for setting up reprographic and photographic facilities and some sound and video recording equipment. It is in this direction that the Working Group on Educational Technology has suggested number of programmes for strengthening and expanding of educational technology cells in the states.

Programmes and Thrust Areas

Major programmes and thrust areas in Educational Technology and Dis- tance Learning recommended by the Working Group are s follows:

a) Production of Radio Programmes

b) Production of Television programmes

c) Introduction of Radio and T.V. inputs in open schools and open university.

d) Experimentation with High Technology areas such as introduction of computer literacy programmes in selected schools.

e) Strengthening of training institutions/orienting educational plan- ners and administrators to different aspects of educational technolo- gy.

Production of Radio and Television Programmes

2. Radio and Television programme production Centres are already being set up in 6 INSAT States for producing ETV and radio programmes for all levels of education. Such programmes to have an impact, It has been suggested that if development of software should be taken

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over by the educational authorities and production of programmes should be at a decentralised level as has already been done in the context of INSAT programmes. Thus the thrust of the Seventh Plan is to develop a cadre of software educational producers who would undertake the production on different media, for different target audience. For Radio programmes proposal is for setting up sound studios in 20 States and Union Territories and for Television programmes, the Groups pro- poses to set up SIETS/Production Centres in another 8 States. These would ensure that production facilities would be available in major regional languages.

3. For optimum utilization of Radio/TV Programmes, provision of radio and television sets to all schools has been suggested. In order that universities can take advantage of the software produced in their 25 centres to be set up for the purpose, each university is suggested to be provided with a library of software, with VCR facilities for play- back of programmes. During the Seventh Plan, this has been suggested for about 50 universities.

4. The total cost of software production and utilisation of Radio and T.V. programmes has been estimated at Rs.14826.50 lakhs. (Rupees 4184.00 lakhs for radio programmes and Rs. 10642.50 lakhs for T.V. programmes).

5. Introduction of Radio and Television inputs in open schools (CBSE School + Schools in 4 States) and open university is yet another major programmes in the Seventh Five Year Plan. The proposal for starting of an open university for teacher training, continuing education, train- ing of public sector and government staff for new vocational courses and the production of a wide range of software involves a cost of Rs.2500 lakhs. Open schools involve a cost of Rs.500 lakhs.

6. Experimentation with high technologies is a major thrust area in the Seventh Plan. In order to keep pace with the fast expanding tech- nologies in the world, use of computer aided instruction, teletex and slow scan broadcasts have been suggested. The programmes of computer literacy is already being implemented in collaboration with the Minis- try of Education on a pilot project basis initially in 250 secondary schools throughout the country. Appropriate curriculum for teachers and students have been designed in NCERT. The Group proposes to intro- duce this programme in at least 10,000 more secondary schools during the Seventh Plan period. The total cost of equipping 10,000 schools with computer system preparation of course material for students and teachers, Organisation of teachers' training etc. comes to Rs. 4,250 lakhs.

7. The availability of the series of synchronous satellites has made it possible to spread education far and wide and more effectively. The University Grants Commission has already set up six centres for train- ing and preparation of software for 1 hour educational programme on T.V.via the satellite mainly for undergraduates, generally educated public and for others. These programmes have to be extended in time, in various languages and have to be made gradually more curriculum oriented. They could be in fact the forerunners of the open universi- ty. Audio visual material has also to be supplied to

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libraries so that students have powerful tool of learning available to them.

8. The Working Group also suggests strengthening of training institu- tions in order to meet the training requirements for setting up a production infrastructure in each State/UT. For orienting educational planners and administrators to different aspects of educational tech- nology, an amount of Rs.50.00 lakhs has been suggested.

Financial Outlay

Financial requirements of thrust areas/major programmes in indicated in the Table below, details, however, have already been covered in a separate note on Financial Estimates for Educational Technology and Distance learning for the Seventh Plan.

TABLE

Major Thrusts/Programmes Financial Requirements

                                   
                                                          (Rs. in lakhs)
        
        1. Production and Utilisation of Radio Programmes     4184.00
        
        
        2. Production and Utilisation of T.V.  Programme     10642.50
        
        
        3. Introduction of Radio/T.V. input in open schools    500.00
        
        
        4. Radio/T.V. input in open university                2500.00
        
        
        5. Experimentation with high technologies:
           Computer Literacy Programmes (Costing 
           for 10,000 schools)                                4250.00
        
        
        6. Training of Educational Planners and Administrators  50.00
        
        
        7. Production and Use of Low Cost Teaching Aids        387.50
        
        
        8. Graphic and Reprographic Aids                      5234.75
        
        
                          Total                              27748.75
        
                                          

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