What makes radio a preferred alternative choice to connect with students during lockdown

To deal with the crisis, several colleges, universities and government organisations have chosen

radio

and television as an alternative medium to extend educational resources to students

To deal with the crisis during the lockdown period, several colleges, universities and government organisations are trying innovative methods to encourage learning. Besides the use of apps and websites, universities are also reaching out through radio and television as an alternative to other digital resources for classes during the lockdown period.

IGNOU has been using

Gyan Vani

(GV) FM Radio to supplement the teaching-learning process for long, this has recently witnessed increase in demand of live radio counselling. “We are increasing our regular time slot to accommodate more lectures and counselling sessions,” says K Ravi Kanth, director,

Electronic Media

Production Centre (EMPC) IGNOU.

“Post lockdown there has been an increase in demand from students to broadcast more subject related lectures on radio. Our faculties are also willing to stay connected with their students through radio and TV, which is a reliable ways of communication,” says Ravi Kanth.

“Given the social mandate and egalitarian goals of the university, blended mix of time tested robust broadcast media along with online, web driven media is needed. Given the heterogeneity among our learners in terms of socio-economic and cultural profiles. Our course content is quite varied too, requiring a corresponding media mix,” he adds.

Ranchi University

that has more than 60 affiliated colleges across Jharkhand has started conducting subject-wise lectures through radio post-lockdown. “The move is aimed to reach a wider audience.

Classes are being conducted through our community radio station ‘Radio Khanchi’, inaugurated on International Women's Day,” says

Kamini Kumar

, pro-vice chancellor, Ranchi University.

The university has conducted more than 50 lectures since the lockdown. “The university has prepared a roaster to conduct two lectures daily. Students are enthusiastically participating in new format of education,” says Kamini. “Since radio being a one-way communication platform, arrangements have been made through WhatsApp and email to address queries raised by students,” she adds.

Similar on the lines of Ranchi University, Bihar Education Project Council (BEPC) that takes care of elementary education system in the state has initiated talks with

All India radio

(AIR) and Doordarshan to get a slot to conduct classes to start the new academic session. “It will take one to two weeks to finalise and schedule our classes,” says

Sanjay Kumar Singh

, head, BEPC. For class IX and X audio-visual contents are already available on a mobile app called ‘Unnayan app’.

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