Vol. 1 No. 1 December, 1995
The Newsletter of Commonwealth Educational Media Center for Asia
The Commonwealth of Learning
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The Contents .... |  |
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Editor's Note Many thanks to all the institutions that have sent in contributions for this issue. We are unable to publish all the material received, due to space and thematic constraints. We would, however, be delving into it for the future issues. So till such time, please bear with us! This being the inaugural issue, we welcome suggestions and ideas with regard to the presentation and the coverage of the content. For us to make this newsletter more representative of the Asian region, we look forward to contributions from more institutions. Till next issue, au revoir ! |
 The COL President's Message I take great pride and much pleasure in sending my well wishes and congratulations to the staff of the Commonwealth Educational Media Centre for Asia (CEMCA) on the publication of this inaugural edition of its newsletter. In a world that is becoming increasingly comfortable with the use of media for purposes of education, it is not suprising to see an explosion of non-print material production taking place especially in the open schools and universities sectors. Institutions of the Commonwealth seem to be among the most active in this sector. Of the many tasks assigned to and services expected from the Commonwealth of Learning, providing information on courseware is among the most important. To keep track of and benefit from the products of this media explosion, COL in collaboration with distance education institutions located in the Asian nations of the Commonwealth, initiated and established CEMCA. The Centre, which is no more than six months old, can be a useful vehicle not only in providing information on what is available by way of educational media materials, but also act as a catalyst in encouraging the further growth of learning through audio, video and other media; it can also, in time, become a venue for training in media related activites either by itself or in co-operation with other like minded organisations in Asia or further afield. COL envisages that the success of CEMCA will enable it to encourage the development of similar centres in other regional locations of the Commonwealth gradually working towards a pan Commonwealth network of such centres, facilitating the flow of information and media materials among the 51 countries we seek to serve. I wish you well in your efforts and look forward to seeing this modest first newsletter blossoming into a significant source of information not only of CEMCA but also your many activities in response to your mandate. Gajaraj Dhanarajan President, The Commonwealth of Learning |
 Steering Committe Chairman's Message The role of Communiction and Information technologies in education assumes great significance as our countries in age of information or as some call it 'the age of Television and and Computer.' The recent phenomenal n of Satellite and Cable TV Channels, the graduation of tele-conferencing technology from experimental stage to regular use, the debut of multi-media as a unique integrated teaching medium in its own right have thrown open new opportunities for distance educators to reach out to their learners in new ways that improve access and quality of the learning experience.
While there are a host of new and emerging technologies today, there is still
not enough expertise in their effective deployment for educational purpose.
In most instances, the new technologies have been either underutilised,
abused or misused in the initial years of their adoption in the developing
countries. Hence there is a need to share experiences and pool the existing
expertise with regard to the use of these technologies for both pedagogical
and economic reasons. The establishment of CEMCA against this background as
a clearinghouse for information on educational media, is a welcome
development in the Asian region. The publication of Edu Comm Asia is a
timely endeavour as it would facilitate information sharing between the
educational media institutions within the region. I wish it all success. |
| Guest Column..... |
The Commonwealth of Learning(COL) is an international organisation
established by Commonwealth Heads of Government in 1988 at Vancouver
in Canada. It has a mandate to create and widen access to opportunities for
learning and to improve the quality of education through application of
distance education techniques and associated technologies. Therefore COL's
strategic plan includes a number of key activities in the area of
communications and information technologies which are central to its
fundamental mission. Some of the main objectives of this technology programme
include:
* enhance access to technologies for distance learning
* facilitate communication networks linking institution and individuals
within Commonwealth
* promote and advocate the value of communication technologies in human
resource development
COL's technology programme promotes the development and use of a wide range
of communication and information technologies encompassing the fields of
educational media, telcommunications systems and computer networking. Some
of the specific initiatatives in these areas include:
* Desktop Publishing units were provided with training in their use, to
Botswana, Jamaica, Namibia,India, Sierra Leone etc.
* Audio Telconferencingprojects in Guyana, India, Kenya etc.
*Videoconferencingfacilities at COL's headquarters in Vancouver and at
the COL/Brunei Centre for Professional and Continuing Education epitomise
COL's interest in the innovative applications of technologies for distance
learning
* Audio-Visual Programming: COL has initiated a number of projects to
enhance the use of audio-visual programmes in distance education. These
include the distribution of Science video programmes, the acquisition of
educational videos from India, the production of a video series on distance
education, the development of a low cost video production system for the
Eductional Media Services Unit in Maldives. The establishment of the Common
wealth Educational Media Centre for Asia (CEMCA) is also a COL initiative
to facilitate regional co-op eration in the production , distribut ion and
use of educational media.
For further details on COL's Communication & Information Technology
programmes, please contact:
Prof. A.W. Khan - Head, C&IT
The Commonwealth of Learning
1700-777 Dunsmuir,Street Box 10428,
VANCOUVER British Colombia, CANADA V7Y 1K4
Tel (604)7758200
Fax (604) 775 8210
E-mail: info@col.org
www : http://www.col.org
Commonwealth Educational Media Centre for Asia (CEMCA)
Cemca's Workshop on Media Librarianship in progress. Ms.Donna Millin,Univ.
of Vicotria,Canada was the resourse person for the training programme,
which had 12 participants from 11 educational/media institutions.
 Cemca's Meeting with the indepentent broadcasters at India International Center,New Delhi |
 Prof. R.V.R.Chandrasekhara Rao, Director- Asian Programmes, The COL ,inaugrates the Multi-media center at CEMCA |
| Spotlight On...... |
| In The News |
OLI tie up with Learning Channel for English series
The Centre for Continuing
and Community Education (CCCE) at Open Learning Institute of Hong Kong in
collaboration with Learning Channel (a CATV network) has launched, earlier
this year, a series of TV programmes aimed at improving the grammar skills
of English. The 13 part series is a component of a course, titled 'English
for Senior Study' which includes also textbooks, exercises, audio tapes and
12 hours of weekly tutorials
Discovery Channel beams to India 24 hours a day
Discovery Channel, the
largest producer and purchaser of documentary programming in the world, is
now beaming its broadcasts to India 24 hours a day from Singapore. The
Discovery Channel presents high-quality, non-fiction programming in the
areas of science and technology, nature, history, human adventure and world
cultures. It reaches more than 87 million subscribers in over 90 countries.
Video -Lab for Geology practicals at B.R.Ambedkar Open University, India
Situated amongst the idyllic rocky surroundings of Dr. B. R.Ambedkar Open
University, Hyderabad, is a new Geology laboratory with facilities to record
on Video, the practical sessions. These recordings on tapes are to be used
as instructional material for the undergraduate students.
ODA assistance for Open University of Sri Lanka
The Educational Technology
division of Open University of Sri Lanka would be co-ordinating a British
ODA funded 3-year project aimed at improving distance education. The project,
which is expected to commence in Dec'95, has five major target areas for
assistance: Training in Instructional Design, Research in Distance Education,
Database capacity for student records. Course administration capabilities
and Student support systems. The University had also received, in the past,
Japanese Grant Aid for the Edu Comm Asia establishment of a new Media Centre,
which incidentally completes its second year of operations this month.
Bangladesh Open University to have a new Media Centre
Plans are afoot at
Bangladesh Open University to construct a new Media Centre at the Gazipur
campus. The existing Centre, previously used by BIDE, has modest facilities,
which are being used to produce 2 hours of TV and 31/2 hours of Radio
programmes per week.
IGNOU's new Media Centre to commence operations from Feb'96
Built under the Grant-in-Aid programme of the Japanese government at a cost
of Rs 48 crores, the new Educational Media Production Centre at Indira Gandhi
National Open University, New Delhi, India, is expected to commence
operations from Feb'96 The Centre, which has the 'state of the Art' video
production facilities, would be administered by an Executive Director.
RAVEHI's studio to go digital
Audio-Visual Education Resource Centre (AVEHI),
Bombay, India, has remodelled its recording studio to install the latest in
digital equipment. The studio would be available for use by NGOs from this
month. AVEHI is a voluntary, non-profit making organisation born out of a
belief that knowledge empowers, and media must be used for widening horizons
and for creating awareness to promote secularism, equality, social justice
and communal harmony.
India's Open School to produce multi-media packages
The National Open School
(NOS) has plans to develop interactive packages in some of the subjects
(esp. those which involve practicals) for use by the students at the
study centres. The NOS had earlier developed a multimedia presentation on
its courses, admission criteria and other related information.
OLI acquires advanced Computer network
The OLI of Hong Kong has commissioned
Digital MCS Network to design and install a new computer network at its new
campus at Ho Man Tin. The network would connect all computing equipment in
the Institute besides providing access to an electronic library for home
based students with personal computers. The large bandwidth capacity of the
network's fibre optic would accommodate both technologies of today and of
future -Internet, multi-media services etc.
Indian school children cruise the Cyberspace
The Jiva Institute ofVidya
Academy, Faridabad, has become the first school in India to utilise the
Information Superhighway (E-mail & Internet) in a unique educational
programme. While attempting to revive the ancient Gurukul system of
education, the school is also trying to combine with it the best of
modern technologies. The Computer is used here as a tool and resource
to enrich the existing curriculum. Using the Superhighway, the students
exchange notes with other students around the world on social and cultural
activities. Little wondor that the Education and Research Network, an
Internet project (under the Dept. of Electronics), has selected Jiva
to be the model school in their new initiative to get other Indian
schools online.
Free Internet access for JNU
Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU)in India is
to have free access to Internet, in return for letting the Department of
Electronics (DOE) set up a Satellite dish antenna atop its nine-storeyed
library building. This mutually beneficial 'deal' would save the DOE an
expense of nearly Rs one crore (required to erect a tower), while JNU would
become the first Indian university (excluding the IITs) to be linked with
global databases through Internet - at very little expense. The DOE proposes
to use the antenna as the main Internet gateway for Delhi
(Source: University News, 23 Oct 95)
| Recent Productions |
AUDIO
National Science Magazine
Central Education Planning Unit, All India
Radio - a series of radio programmes based on the contributions from the
different Centres of Research and Development. The broadcasts began in
April' 95.
VIDEO
a)'Women Parliamentarians'
b)'Women and Empowerment'
Produced by IGNOU,India, for the Commonwealth of Learning,
for telecast during the World Conference on Women at Beijing.
Women's issues - a series of six programmes
Produced by Mass Communication Research Centre, Jamia Millia Islamia,
New Delhi, for telecast through UGC's Countrywide Classroom during the
Beijing Conference.
Quality Assurance in Higher Education - a two part programme Produced by
Educational Media Research Centre, Hyderabad and Academic Staff College,
University of Hyderabad, India
The History of Indian Painting- a twelve part series for the UGC 's
Countrywide Classroom, Consortium for Educational Communication (CEC),
New Delhi, India
The Family Series - A sociological account of family life in Australia,
Brazil, Canada, China, India and New Zealand [CEC, New Delhi, India]
MULTIMEDIA
a) Watershed Management for Rainfed Areas
b) Rice seed to seed
These 2 interactive learning packages
were developed under the MITRA project by National Institute of Agricultural
Extension Management and CMC, Hyderabad, India
a) Integrated Intensive Farming Systems
b) Tribal Area Bio-diversity
These two multimedia databases on CD-ROM were
developed by the M. S. Swaminathan Research Foundation, Madras, India
Heart and ECG
This tri-lingual multimedia.CD was developed by the Electronics Research and
Development Centre (ER&DC), Thiruvananthapuram, India
I V Fest' 95 Competition Section Results
The Centre for Development of Imaging Technology (C-DIT), Thiruvananthapuram,
India,conducted an International Video Festival from September 8-15, 1995.
The Prize Winning Videos under the different categories were:
Environment
1st prize: Ladakh - Desert in the Skies (Dir: Naresh Bedi)
IInd prize:A Narmada Diary (Dir: S.Dhuru & A.Patwardhan)
IlIrd prize: Kerala Diary (Dir: K. Satheesh)
Science Communication
1st prize: Sastrakauthukam (Dir: Doordarshan,Trivandrum)
lInd prize: The Story inside the shell (Dir: Ashok Mewada)
Ilird prize: Turning Point (Dir: I.Kaul & N.Kaul)
Education
1st prize: Another Way of Learning (Dir: C. MukherJee)
lInd prize: Identity-The Construction of Selfhood (Dir: A. Monteiro & Jayashankar)
IlIrd prize: Our school is a happy place)(Dir: C. Mukherjee)
Health and Population
1st prize: Waiting for reprieve (Dir: A. Chadha)
lInd prize: Odhni - A collective exploration of ourselves, our bodies
(Dir: A. Monteiro & Jayashankar)
IIIrd prize: Tharangam (The Waves) (Dir: S. Joseph)
Society and Development
1st prize: Tu Zinda Hai (You are alive) (Dir: S.Virmani)
lInd prize: I live in Behrampada (Dir: M. Dutta)
IlIrd prize: Mahila Samakhya Banda (Dir: V. Joshi)
Animation
1st prize: Ae bhai zara dekh ke chalo (Dir: P. Burogohain)
lInd prize: The last resort (Dir: S. Bhakta)
IlIrd prize: Give the earth a break (Dir: A.K.Bose)
Spot
1st prize: Keralensis (Dir: R. Whitaker)
lInd prize: Water Conservation (Dir: B. Dave)
IlIrd prize: Hum Insan Hai (Humans First) (Dir: Xavierinst. of Communication)
Special Jury Prize
The Last Migration
(Dir : M.H. Pandey)
CEMCA 'S Database
The Commonwealth Educational Media Centre for Asia is in the process of
updating the database of educational media programmes produced in the Asian
region. Currently the database contains details of 8000 programmes produced
in different media formats. Of these 6000 programmes are videos and films
produced in Hong Kong, India, Sri Lanka and Singapore. They have been
classified under 66 broad subject headings with further sub-classifications.
As part of the process of updating the database, nearly 500 organisations
within the Asian region had been contacted for details of their educational
programmes.
Networking of Technical Facilities
CEMCA would like to facilitate the networking of audio/video production and
technical facilities of the Media Centres in Asian region for use by other
educational/non-profit organisations on 'payment basis.' Please let us have
the details ofhiringcharges/ tariffs of your centre in this regard.
Asian Communication Scene in the next 25 years - AMIC Silver Jubilee
Conference
The Asian Mass Communication Research and Information Centre(AMIC) will
be conducting a I conference on 'Asian Communications: The Next 25 Years'
to mark its 25th anniversary next year. The i conference will be held from
June 1 -3, 1996 in Singapore.
The three-day conference will provide a unique opportunity to get a glimpse
of the latest developments in communications and to examine the implications
of the rapid changes taking place in the region. A distinguished line-up
of experts will speak on the latest developments in broadcast and print
media, telecommunications, multimedia technology, advertising and public
relations and the effects of converging technologies. More specifically,
the conference will include topics such as: The Economic Liberalisation:
Implications for the Media, The New Asian Audiences: Are the Media
fulfilling their Needs? Regulating the New Communication Technologies,
Getting on the Information Superhighway: A Hitchhiker's Guide, The
Multimedia Computer: have we reached Computer Nirvana ?
Three hundred participants from Asia, Australia, Europe and North America
are expected to attend this major conference.
AMIC was established in Singapore in 1971, as a non-profit organisation.
During the ensuing quarter century it has played apioneering role in
serving the needs of mass communication professionals and institutions
in the Asia-Pacific region through its documentation, publication,
research and training activities.
For more information .please contact:
Virgilio S Labrador, Co-ordinator AMIC,
39 Newton Road SINGAPORE 307966
Phone: (65) 251 5106
Fax: (65) 253 4535
E-mail: amicline@singnet.com.sg
ET 2000 Steering Committee in session at Colombo. From r to I,
Prof. Abdul Khan, Daniel Lee, Reshan, Ravi Kanth, Kiran Karnik,
Dr. Buddhi Weerasinghe, Dave. (Photo: Dr. Anura Goonasekera, AMIC)
Workshop in ETV Script Writing
The Central Institute of Educational Technology (CIET), NCERT, New Delhi,
would be conducting a four week training programme in Script-writing for
Educational Television from Jan. 29-Feb 23,1996. Though, this programme is
being run primarily for the staff members of CIET and SIETs, a few places
may be available for persons from other media organisations on payment basis
For details, please contact:
Chandra Bhushan,
CIET National Council for Educational Research and Training (NCERT)
17B, Sri Aurobindo Marg NEW DELHI- 110016
Phone: 91 - 11 - 6866389
IGNOU to offer short courses in Media
The Indira Gandhi National Open University, New Delhi, is to offer
certificate courses through the distance education mode in the following
areas - Still Photography, Video Editing, Scriptwriting for Television,
Scriptwriting for Radio, Maintenance of Audio/Video equipment. Maintenance
of Domestic Appliances. These short term courses are likely to be offered
from the academic year of 1997. For further details, pl. contact:
The Director, Communication Divn
Indira Gandhi National Open Univ.
Maidan Garhi NEW DELHI-110 068
Phone:91-11-6857081
Educational Technology 2000
The Commonwealth of Learning in partnership with the Asian Mass
Communication Research and Information Centre(AMIC) and Intertradc Lanka
Management Pvt. Ltd, Singapore, is organising an international conference
and integrated exhibition on distance education technologies from
July 23-27, 1996 in Colombo.
Delegates at Educational Technology 2000 will address the potential of
emerging technologies to deal with the challenges of mass education.
They will also debate issues related to how older and newer technologies
could be integrated to meet current and future needs.
The conference and exhibition is expected to draw many leaders in distance
education and educational administration, who will develop a future action
plan for adoption and investment in appropriate technologies. Participants,
along with several hundred exhibition-only visitors, will also view
demonstrations of the latest in computer and telecommunications technologies
that would help propel their respective countries in the right direction in
response to the growing demands for dissemination of information.
The format of the event is refreshing ly new as it incorporates guided
tours of the exhibition for conference delegates, as part of their daily
agenda. This will provide a unique basis for interaction between exhibitors
and delegates, who will be seeking technological solutions to the problems
that will have been highlighted during the course of the conference and
workshops.
Further information can be obtained from either of the following
addresses:
The Secretariat, E.T 2000
c/o SECC, 12, D.R. Wijewardena Mawatha,
COLOMBO 10 Sri Lanka
Tel:94-l-343-238(to241)
Fax:94-1-343-237
E-mail: intertrd@sri.lanka.net
K. Ravi Kanth, Programme Officer CEMCA
52, Tuglakabad Institutional Area New Delhi- 110062
Phone & Fax: 91-11 -6985208
| Forthcoming Events |
March 17-20
13th International Conference on Technology and Education
Radisson Hotel,New Orleans,
Louisiana, United Statesc
Details from: ICT, New Orleans' 96,
Dr Nolan Estes/Tom Sechrest,
P O Box 195349, UTA Station Arlington, Texas
76019-0001 USA
E-mail: icte@icte.org
June 1-3
Asian Communication Scene in the next 25 years o AMIC Silver Jubilee
Conference, Singapore
Details from: Virgilio S Labrador AMIC, 39,
Newton Road SINGAPORE 307966
Phone: (65) 2515106
Fax: (65) 253 4535
E-mail: amicline@singnet.com.sg
July 2-5
The Und International Conference on Distance Education in Russia (ICDED '96),
Moscow, Russia
Theme: Distance Learning and New Technologies in Education
Details from: Alexander Gruntsev Tel: (+7 95) 971 -1354 & 952 - 0769
Fax: (+7 95) 284 - 0143 & 288-1861
E-mail: icded96@aie.msk.su grampo@isrir.msk.su
July 23-27
educational Technology 2000 -Global Visions for Open Learning Exhibition &
Conference
Details: The Secretariat, ET 2000 c/o Sri lanka Exhibition& Convention Centre,
12 D.R.Wijewardena Mawatha, Colombo 10, Sri Lanka
Fax: (94 1)343 237
E-mail: intertrd@sri.lanka.net
| Reports & Publications |
'Tele-teaching in Higher Education,' Panda.S.K. in 'Higher Education in
India - in Search of Qual-ity'(1995) (ed.) Powar.K.B and Panda.S.K., AIU,
New Delhi
'IGNOU educational television programmes: an appraisal,' (1995)
Mohanty.J & Mohanty.S, University News, Vol. XXXIII, No. 31, AIU. New Delhi
'A Feedback study on the two video programmes - Linear Transformations and
Matrices AND Groups of Symmetries' (Sept'95) Sinclair.? & Basu.S, Indira
Gandhi National Open University, New Delhi
'Media Co-operatives for generation of audio/video courseware for dual mode
institutions in India: A network approach' (1995)
Rama Rao.V,
Indira Gandhi National Open University, New Delhi (a paper presented
at the AAOU conference in Taipei, Taiwan)
'An Evaluation study of Farm Radio Lessons on Sericulture' (1995)
Kakade.O.P, Department of Mass Communication & Journalism, Kar-natak
University, Dharwad, India (Thesis)
Making Educational programmes more Educative 1993-1994,' Joshi.I, EMRC,
Ahmedabad, India
'Evaluation of Educational Television Programme - with special reference to
UGC Countrywide Classroom' (1995) Mishra.R, CEC, New Delhi
| New Appointments |
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