Barriers to using Communication and
Information Technologies by Woman is due
to Lack of Opportunity

Is it a psychological or sociological barrier? What stops women from using communication and information technologies? What is the reality and status of use of educational technology in Asia? These and some more important questions were discussed and debated in the three-day International conference on "Barriers to Information and Communication Technologies encountered by women in the Asian Region" organised by the Commonwealth of Learning( COL) in collaboration with the British Council and held from November 26-28,1998 at Electronic Media Production Centre, IGNOU, New Delhi.

Inaugurating the conference,Prof.G.Dhanarajan,President COL pleaded that the education of the girl child should be taken seriously. Even though women constitute half of the population.they have been neglected over the years. Only education can empower them.

In his inaugural address the Vice- Chancellor of Indira Gandhi National Open University, Prof.A.W. Khan highlighted the need of Information and Communication technologies in facilitating the education of girls and women.

The three day conference was attended by thirty scholars from India, Pakistan, Malaysia, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. The tone of the conference was set with the presentation ofNidhi Tandon with overall research findings of Information and Communication Technology use in the Asia region. Later the participants were divided into two groups to recommend strategies to overcome barriers to using Communication and Information technologies for rural poor and urban poor. While the group for rural poor recommended many strategies including that of community radio, the group for urban poor recommended creation of opportunities for women. The conference resolved that technology use in education is not due to any barrier but lack of opportunity for the women.Gender equity and sensitisation for technologies are required to tackle the issues of barriers.

The conference was coordinated by Ms. Susan Phillips Education Specialist ,COL and organised by COL, CEMCA and the British Council.

COL President Prof.G.Dhanarajan addressing the
delegates of the workshop on Gender and Technology

CEMCA's Workshops on " Internet and Education"

CEMCA, in collaboration with Indira Gandhi National Open University organised a five day workshop on " Internet and Education" in New Delhi from August 3-7,1998. Twenty three participants from all over India participated in the workshop. The workshop discussed issues concerning educational implications of Internet. The basic skills of website design and instructional design for Internet based courseware were initiated. . The workshop ended with a website " University under one roof which contains 18 web sites of different universities and institutions represented in the workshop. Appreciating the efforts of the participants Prof.A.W.Khan, Vice-Chancellor, IGNOU reminded participants that with the convergence of computer, telephone and broadcasting, the skills they acquire have to go a long way in finding the solutions for imparting education through distance mode .Presiding over the function Dr. Usha Reddi reiterated CEMCA's vision to reach the remotest corner of all Commonwealth Asian countries.

The second workshop in the series was held at the Osmania University Computer Centre, Hyderabad from December 28, 1988 to January l,1999.Twentysix participants from all over India took this opportunity to leam the basic skills of Web site designing and Instructional Design of Internet Courseware. Inaugurating the workshop, the Vice-Chancellor of Osmania University, Prof. Ramakistayya appealed to all information and communication technologists to address the problems of common people by initiating mass computer literacy programmes. Prof. C. Subba Rao, Chairman , Andhra Pradesh State Council for Higher Education, in his valedictory address, pleaded for the inclusion of Internet in the curriculum at secondary and higher education levels.

Programme Production Techniques for Community Radio Broadcasters

CEMCA, in collaboration with UNESCO and VOICES organised a workshop on kt Audio/Radio Programme Production Techniques for Community Radio Broadcasters" at Bangalore in November, 1998. Thirty three participants from non-governmental organisations representing India.Nepal, Bhutan and Canada participated in the nine day workshop. The workshop was participatory and interactive, deliberating issues concerning community radio stations: setting up, organisation, structure and programming. At the end of the workshop the participants appealed to the respective governments to allow licences to establish radio stations exclusively for developmental purposes.

Highlighting the importance of community radio in resource mobilisation, Mr. Moegiadi , Director, UNESCO emphasised the use of community radio in creating awareness about HIV and other diseases.Picking up the thread. Dr. Usha Vyasulu Reddi, Director CEMCA, highlighted the use of community radio in distance, extension and continuing education and CEMCA's preparedness for helping the cause of community radio.

The workshop was inaugurated by Mr. Suresh Heblikar, a noted environmentalist and theatre personality and was conducted by well known resource persons in the field: Mr. Abdul Rehman Pasha, Ms. Indubhai Ramesh, Dr. Shankar Choudhury, Dr. H.P.Padhy, Dr. Michael Traber, lan Pringle and others.Ms. Sucharita Eashwer, Director, VOICES and the organiser made substantial contribution to the success of the workshop.

Participants at Community Radio Workshop

Call to Make Open Schooling More effective

Education has to keep abreast of technological advances in education as it is an important tool for sustained economic growth. This was stated by H.E. Lt. Gen. J.F.R. Jacob, the Governor ofGoa (India) in his address while inaugurating the three-day National Conference on Networking and Collaboration in Open Schools in Goa on 21 -23, November 199S.

On this occasion, Prof. G. Dhanarajan. President, Commonwealth of Learning, emphasised the need to provide basic education to a large percentage of Indian population, still illiterate even after fifty years of independence. He expressed the hope that open schooling could play a very effective role for this purpose.

The conference was organised by Ministry of Human Resources Development, Govt. of India, National Open School and the Commonwealth of Learning and was attended by State Education Secretaries of India, representatives from National Open Schools, State Open Schools.CEMCA and abroad and internationally known experts as resource persons.

CEMCA's First Advisory Council Meeting

The first meeting of the Advisory Council of CEMCA was held in New Delhi on 18th November 1998, under the Chairmanship of Dr. A.W. Khan, Vice-Chancellor, IGNOU. The Council has recently been constituted with representatives from Bangladesh. Pakistan and Sri Lanka, in addition to two co-opted members, Mr. Kiran Karnik, CEO of Discovery Channel and Mr. M.M. Jha. Joint Secretary. Ministry of HRD.

The Council decided to broaden the objectives of CEMCA to include research in academic areas; the diffusion of educational technology and media and felt that CEMCA should explore the possibilities of using new technologies such as digital technology, multimedia, internet etc. in education. Its focus should also cover institutions other than those designated as distance learning institutions and open universities.

CEMCA Assumes the Status of An International Agency

With the signing of the agreement between the Government of India and the Commonwealth of Learning, on August. 1998 CEMCA becomes an international agency, empowered to operate more meaningfully throughout Commonwealth Asia.

AVPRC Building at BRAOU

Audio Visual Production and Research Centre, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Open University

Dr. B R Ambedkar Open University (BRAOU) located in the city of Hyderabad with a wide network of 116 Study Centres spread throughout the State ot'Andhra Pradesh was established by an Act of the A.P. State Legislature in August, 1982.

BRAOU follows a multi-media teaching-learning approach which broadly comprises self-learning print material, supporting audio and video cassettes and regular broadcast lessons through All India Radio.

The Centre

BRAOU established its Audio Visual Production and Research Centre (AVPRC) in 1986 as part of the Material Production Directorate. The Centre became a separate unit headed by a Director in 1993, with the following major objectives:

To produce audio and video academic programmes;

To organise transmission of educational programmes over radio and television;

To conduct training and academic programmes in communication; and

To undertake research in the field of educational technology as applied to distance education.

New Studios

Until 1995, the centre had functioned with an interim studio setup at the former administration block of the University located in Somajiguda, Hyderabad. The Centre was then shifted to the newly constructed campus at Jubilee Hills, with the necessary infrastructural facilities. The installation of new equipment is now complete. It has a TV studio, a sound studio, associated control rooms, post production and outdoor coverage facilities.

Infrastructure

In view of the advanced technology in electronics, high-end equipment have come into existence all over the country. To have compatibility with similar broadcasting networks, the Centre has acquired a new set of latest equipment for video production, replacing the U-matic low Band equipment in use earlier.

Sound Studio

The Sound Studio is a standard broadcast studio designed for talks, discussion, interviews, production of features etc. equipped with quarter inch - MELTRON - monotrack console tape recorders and 8-channel audio mixer. The programmes recorded and edited on quarter-inch reel tapes are sent in a capsule mode for broadcast by the All India Radio, Hyderabad.

Television Studio

The television studios are equipped with two CCD cameras.tripod and other related accessories, including 4-line microphone audio recording for studio activity. The existing halogen light fitting pattern is being upgraded with the latest professional lighting system for the fullest illumination in the studio, to ensure high quality in the programmes.

Master Control Room

The Master Control Room is equipped with one Betacam SP recorder, a video switcher, an audio-mixer and other associated video equipment, fixed on a designated production panel.

Training/Workshops

Realising the need to update the skills and knowledge of production and technical personnel, simultaneously involving academics, the Centre has conducted workshops/training on the themes of Instructional Television (ITV) Production. Educational Technology. Script Development etc.

Edit Setup A-B Roll Edit setup, fitted on a made-to-order production panel, has two players a nd a recorder of Betacam S.P. format for high quality production output. The latest Edit Control unit and Special Effects Generator are an added advantage in post-production activity

Cassette Duplication

The video duplication system has facilities for making VHS copies for a variety of formats, its source being U-matic Low Band, Betacam, Betamax or VHS.

Television studio at AVPRC

Programme Production

Producers work liaising closely with the academics, right from the initial script development stage to the design and final output of the audio and video programmes. Programmes are planned and developed, utilising the expertise of subject specialists. With the active participation of experts from respective subject s/ disciplines, the producers, with the help of the crew members, make the programmes effective, purposeful and interesting, duly contributing their creative inputs and technical expertise.

Broadcasting

Broadcast of Radio programmes of the University began in September 19S3.Thcy are broadcast on four days a week (Monday, Wednesday. Thursday and Friday). with six half-hour slots, on Hyderabad 'B' channel, with short wave support for St.ilc wide coverage. The programmes arc broadcast between 7.15 and 7.45 a.m. and 10.30 and 11.00p.m.

For any further information, please contact: :

Director, Audio Visual Production & Research Centre,
Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Open University,
Road No.46, Jubilee Hills,
Hyderabad-500030
Tel :040-217802/216272
Fax.040-244830
e-mail:braouap@hdl.vsnl.net.in

Open Education Algorithm
(Everything is a matter of degree)



Dr. B.K.Passi,
IGNOU-UNESCO CHAIR

1.0 Incubation can be shared

I began my readings in the area of fuzzy thinking and virtual classroom. I read some essays on artificial intelligence. I got excited.While accepting the basis of these concepts, I wanted to develop the new ideas for improving the perspectives of open education by applying techniques like synectics and morphological analysis. I played with few a concepts. I could not pursue this exploration very far. Satisfaction was limited. I felt that I must share with others this thought process. I am also aware that others say that incubation is indefinite. They also say that incubation is not easily available for conscious description. Many others hesitate to share it. Nevertheless, I felt that incubation of this incomplete experimentation should interest someone. In fact, I feel that verbalisation of the incubation is a critical factor. It is often very difficult to attempt.

1.2 I fully subscribe to the idea of sharing our views even while the illumination through the incubation process has yet to take place in the mind. I have experienced the advanced level of interactions with Professor E. Paul Torrance ( USA) who is a leading authority on the incubation process within the area of creative thinking while I was working on a Model of Enhancing Incubation. Against this background I began to fool around with the idea of creating something new. With this common understanding between you and me, let me present some of the principles of fuzzy logic and some ideas about three systems of networking.

2.0 Everything is a Matter of Degree
2.1 The first principles of fuzzy thinking is " Everything is a matter of Degree". Life is not black and white . There are many shades of grey in it. This first principle of fuzzy thinking comprises elements like - bivalance versus multi -valence; precision up fuzzy up ; and distinctness between sciences among scientists. The logic asserts that laws of science are not laws at all. They are neither laws in the sense of logical laws like two plus two equals four, nor are they allowed to become intuitive descriptions in the context Science restricts itself to observable parts of universe and states tendencies that we have observed in the particular comer of the universe.There is a problem of mismatch between the reality as it exists and reality described by scientists who are strictly following the ideas of bivalance .

2.2 The split between "Thing" and " Nothing" gets complicated when the phenomenon is relative. Consider art, beauty.legal decisions, and similar other concepts; we would find that fuzzy thinking is nearer to reality. Fuzzy technologists will be able to develop machines that will be more intelligent. They will be smarter and easier to work with. Fuzzy machines will work with conditional statements. Sensor technology will reinforce the fuzzy revolution. What will be its implications for educational policies and practices? How will it influence the activities of human resource development, certification of the outcomes of human resource process, purposeful human resource utilisation, and efficient human resource management.

3.0 Artificial Intelligence Technology

3.1 Popularly three main divisions of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology are available for determining structures for any sector including that of distance education. These structures are:

(a) Knowledge-based systems
(b) Fuzzy logic systems
(c) Neural network systems.
Let us briefly overview each of these expert systems one by one.

3.2 Knowledge-Based Systems: Knowledge-based systems arc very prevalent. This form of Artificial Intelligence technology attempts to use its base of logical, hard-edged, rule-based reasoning as are involved in solving syllogisms, proving theorems. diagnosing faults, choosing antibiotics or playing chess. Such rule-based systems try to emulate the kind of "If..then..." logical thinking which is often used by experts when attempting to solve problems in their own particular domain of expertise. In these systems, the rules involved are that of conventional logic. i.e., things are either true or false, yes or no, etc. An example of a rule in knowledge-based systems is that if you score lower than 33 per cent marks in a test you are declared a failure.

3.3 Fuzzy Logic Systems: Fuzzy logic systems have given rise to new technologies applied in different human endeavours. The theory of fuzzy sets is quite old although we were not using this theory for developing systems. It is only in recent times that we have started using this theory in areas of formulating expert systems. Fuzzy logic replaces the hard-edged aspect of rule based reasoning with a softer logic that allows for matters of degree. quantity, and uncertainty. This technology attempts to model the kind of logical reasoning that a person engages in when dealing with issues or elements that are not precisely defined and/oi-that involve aspects of degree or quantity. An example of a fu/./.y logic rule that might be found in a fuzzy/knowledge-hased system for human resource development systems can he seen in the work of DeBono. He talks of rock-logic and water-logic. Now. with the help of software, you can build fuzzy systems in minutes. You can go on playing with materials to find new rules for days and nights. You can improve upon the original materials through neural systems. We can use making this type of search technique for human brains. Now with this type we have started formulating rules from the data given in vague and cloudy forms. One goes on searching good rules for the game. We can then use the new rules to predict situations that are equally difficult to handle for the knowledge based systems.

3.4 Neural Networks: This technology, also known as the "connectionist" approach, attempts to capture the more intuitive, holistic kind of thinking involved in. for example, picking out a face in a crowd or recognising a hand-written charaeter.The technology needs to distinguish the letter A from V. Basically. this thinking can be equated to the subjective processes used by teachers, traders, and pilots. They learn in a Gestalt-like manner from past experiences and, hopefully, generalise such learning for future events. Neural networks are especially useful lor tasks involving pattern recognition. A neural network is a set of inter-connected neurons. These are brain-like networks. This system is self-organizing in character. Many authors claim that neural systems can both learn the skills from situations and also explain the skills. Although, not properly a form of Artificial Intelligence, it is rather a form of artificial life.

4.0 What Do We Do ?

4.1 Out of the combinations of the three network systems, we can find out step-by-step procedures that attempt to model, the process of natural and biological, evolution (mating. mutation.recombination, etc.) in order to optimise programmes.

ESCAP to Promote Satellite-Based Distance Education Across Asia-Pacific Region.
The Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific( ESCAP), Bangkok, a United Nations agency has decided to promote distance education using satellite channels, According to a study conducted by ESCAP it is a highly desirable and feasible means of promoting regional co-operation in the Asia-Pacific region.

IGNOU Launches Four New Courses

From January 1999, IGNOU offers four new programmes : Certificate in Participatory Forest Management, Certificate in Disaster Management, Postgraduate Diploma in Translation and Certificate in Writing for Radio.

First Doctoral Degree Programme Started in OUHK

The first doctoral degree programme at Open University of Hong Kong, Doctor of Education ( EdD ) was started in October 1998. Unlike the traditional thesis-only Doctor of Philosophy in education, the EdD involves both course work and a thesis with a more professional orientation.

UNIFEM Video Conference to End Violence Against Women

On March 8, 1999, the United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM), in collaboration with other UN agencies, will host a global multimedia event on the topic of violence against women. Called "A World Free of Violence Against Women"the live, two-way video conference will link human ' rights activists in India, Kenya and Mexico with UN decision-makers, government representatives, academics, and media representatives. Together, they will discuss critical policy directions, steps that must be taken, and course of actions to be taken in eradicating violence against women.

The event will be held from 9.30 a.m. to 11.00 a.m. Eastern Standard Time (USA). You can join as an observer by using one of three options: video conferencing, the World Wide Web, or a downlink satellite broadcast. If you would like to join, send an e-mail message: majordomo@edc-cit.org

English at a Distance

The British Council Teaching Centre, Bangladesh now offers the opportunity to study for a Business English Certificate ( BEC)course via distance education to learners throughout Bangladesh.

Inter University Net

In a concrete initiative towards mass application of information technology, an Inter-University Net (IU Net) is being set up all over India in the next six months. The IU Net, to be established in collaboration with Inter-University Net U.S., would enable networking of all major educational institutions in the country.

Inter-University U.S and Inter-University India will form a consortium and launch Inter-University Net services. Inter-University Net India will be floated as a company with the participation of the Department of Telecom, the Indian Institute of Technology (Chennai and Delhi) and the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore.

National Collection Centre for CD-ROMs published in India and on India

The Foundation for Innovation and Technology Transfer (FITT), IIT, New Delhi has a "National Collection Centre for CD-ROMs published in India and on India fromApril.l998.The centre has has been providing information services to industry, academics and students from CD-ROMs and compilation of " Union Catalogue of CD-ROMs" .The "Union Catalogue of CD-ROMs of Indian Libraries and Information Centres is already compiled and distributed free of cost to all respondents of the survey in progress.Contact: Mr. A.K.Chakraborty, Coordinator,National Collection Centre for CD-ROMS,FITT, IIT, New Delhi-110016.

Computer Assisted Voice-mail Oral Practice System

The OUHK is helping the students to gain proficiency in English or Putonghua through a computer assisted voice mail practice system. This will enable students to improve their pronunciation, intonation and fluency based on comments made by tutors in recorded voice-mail.

Urdu University to Start Distance Education Course

Maulana Azad National Urdu University (MANUU), a central university set up by Government of India at Hyderabad, has started admissions to the BA first year in Urdu medium through distance mode from the current academic year 1998-99. The university has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Dr. B R AmbedkarOpen University and the Indini Gandhi National Open University for adopting high quality and socially relevant courses and proposes to adopt from the 1GNOU certificate and diploma courses in computing, journalism and mass communication, food and nutrition,management, creative writing,tourism and environment.

Educational Videos

Facial Expressions: Recognising Emotions: A video about techniques to recognise emotions Duration : 18 minutes

Facial Expressions: Recognising Faces : A video about What is it about a face we recognise and why it is so hard to describe Duration : 21 minutes

Aseptic Techniques: :A Video about principles and techniques necessary for aseptic Microbiology work. Duration : 16 minutes

Culture of Human Fibroblasts A video shows how fibroblast from human dermis is isolated and cultured Duration : 19 minutes

For details contact: Shotlist,The EBS Trust,36-38 Mortimer Street, London,WIN 7RB

SPSS TextSmart 1.0: A Smart Tool for Quantitative Analysis of Textbased Survey Responses

Analysing the volume of open ended questions has always been a nightmare for researchers.There is no limit to the possible varieties of answers one can encounter. Text Smart, a breakthrough in survey research, makes the analysis of responses to open ended questions fast and affordable.

TextSmart can interpret different forms of English ( American/British). It applies various categorical algorithms to create meaningful categories from open-ended survey responses.TextSmart can give fairly complete picture of respondent attitudes, opinions, and perceptions.The options of filtering responses and creating aliases for various keywords increase its usability.Moreover, it has facilities for graphical representation of results.For details contact : Wipro,40/l A Basappa Complex, Lavell Road, Bangalore-560051 Fax.2218590

NETWAVES-An initiative in Video Distribution

Netwaves has brought together over 70 films by various filmmakers, documentaries, docudrama, fiction that are relevant to rural people. Located in Bangalore, Netwaves has published a catalogue of all the films and has a regional network of distribution throughout India and Asia. For details: Fax : 91-80-6647310

A Study of Collapse

This multimedia CD-ROM explores various aspects of lung pathologies using techniques such as 3D modelling, virtual reality and real-time rendering. Designed for use in training radiologists, this product offers sequences and routines for learning how to interpret pathological processes from two-dimensional X-ray films.Enquiries to: Academia Medica, G.G.communication, Nevellan, D.N. HareiYehuda.90850 Israel.

Environment Engineering CD-ROM

A computer Based Learning ( CBT) package in environmental engineering on CD-ROM is being prepared as teaching and learning material. It will be used by teachers and undergraduate students and will contain multimedia features which animation,photographs, video and sound include text, graphics, animation, photographs, video and sound. It will cover such topics as environment, ecology, water treatment, water supply and distribution, air and noise pollution control, solid and hazardous waste management, environment management and cost analysis among many others. Enquiries to: UNESCO, 8 Poorvi Marg, Vasant Vihar, New Delhi-110057

Office 2000

Good news for MS office 97 users. The improvised version is down your corridor.Office 2000 is available now.Office 2000 comes with styles and templates from Microsoft Frontpage- a powerful web authoring tool. You can now open an existing HTML document in. say, word and save it again without messing up the formatting which often happens in Office 97. There is a Webpage Wizard and lots of canned styles and templates for creating websites. In other words, it offers better integration of internet functions such as web browsing and e-mail with Word, Excel, Database, and Graphics applications. This software automatically " repairs" itself when the user accidentally deletes a file that is a part of the software. Office 2000 also offers dramatic new Outlook - e-mail capabilities that lets users quickly create multimedia documents and integrates with a new Microsoft-owned Website featuring Microsoft's new database technology that allows users to search the Web by typing in questions in natural language. For details contact:

Microsoft India,
Paharpur Business Centre,
21 Nehru Place,
New Delhi-110019

Database of Professionals

Commonwealth Educational Media Centre for Asia has decided to create a database of Professionals working in the field of Educational Technology in the Asian Region. The data base will help to identify experts in different fields / specialisations for reference and specific assignments from time to time. CEMCA invites Curriculm-Vitae from the professionals working in the field of Open and Distance Learning and educational media in all sections and at all levels. A set pro-forma is available with CEMCA for ready reference. For further details kindly contact :

The Director,
CEMCA
52, Tughlakabad Inst Area.
New Delhi-110062.
Telephone: 011-6996730
Fax: 011-6985208
e-mail: cemca@giasdlol .vsnl.net.in

Updating the Database of Educational Audio/Video Programmes

CEMCA has a database of approximately 10,000 educational programmes ( audio and Video) in 10 different languages produced in six Commonwealth countries in Asia.CEMCA desires to update the database .In this regard CEMCA invites information regarding Educational Programmes (audio.video and muiti media) programmes produced in the last two years(1996-till date) by educational institutes, production centres( public and private organisations). NGOs.It is worth mentioning here that the database will he in circulation in all the educational Institutions of nine Commonwealth Asian countries and on the web. Kindly send the details of the programme including synopses to the Director. CEMCA. 52. Tughlakabad Institutional Area. New Delhi. Phone: 011-6996730 Fax:011-6985208 e-mail: cemca@giasdlol .vsnl.net.in

CEMCA Invites Research Projects

CEMCA invites applications for shon term research projects concerning Educational Technology, Distance Education and Educational Media. The last date of submission of proposals is June 15. /9W. For forms and other details contact: Direclor,CEMCA,52, Ti^hlakahad Institutional Area, Ne\v Delhi, Tele-Ea.\.dl-6985208/ e-mail: cemca@giallol.vsnl.net.in

Here is an e-book that can hold 4000 pages of text and images- that's about 10 books. It is the size of a paperback and weighs 22 ounces. NuvoMedia's Rocket e-book is among the first e-books to be launched and is priced at $499. With a screen size of 3' 1/2"x5'1/2" at a resolution of about 106 dpi, the Rocket has a backlit monochrome display.

WEB TV : The Fun is for Real

Web TV , the new revolutionary concept has added a new Dimension to the existing educational technology scenario. For less than $400, one can buy a tiny black box that enables one to view the Web on the television screen through a telephone line from the comfort of one's home.

Web TV is the world's first high quality internet solution for television. The Web TV set-top box, with a user -friendly online service and the Web TV network, allows anybody to browse the internet. The set-top converts Webpages into standard television signals.The current models available in the US hosts 33.6Kbps V.34 modem and 16 -bit stereo audio for sound. They are also equipped with a 112MHz 64-bit RISC chip with an on-line connectivity registration. The tariff of the service providers is generally on a monthly basis . Web TV is hooked through the set-top box to the TV set, with the telephone line allowing connectivity to the web.

Simply put. Web TV offers better television. Because of the way Web TV and the television work together, you can decide what to watch, and are in control of your viewing experience, with access to Internet, E-mail, a new world of information, education and entertainment.

Web TV is so easy to install that subscribers are able to browse the internet within minutes of opening the set-top box . Web TV^s internet terminal and Web TV Plus receiver connect to any standard audiovisual ( composite on high resolution input.) Web TV can work both with the Cable TV and VCR.

Live Webcast from Stanford University

To commemorate Doug Engelbart's inquiries into "Augmented Human Intellect" which led to a revolutionary vision of the computer, a vision which was revealed to the computer world on December 6, 1968, Stanford University Webcast a Symposium on Engelbart's Unfinished Revolution on December 9, 1998. This was received world-wide and had all the features of multimedia like text, photographs, video, audio, graphics etc.

Virtual Sets to replace Real Sets

Virtual set manufacturers abroad have developed models to seamlessly integrate live actors into a 3-D modelled set, interactively using the camera with real shadows, perspectives and reflections in the virtual environment. The director, cameraman, and set designer can open the floodgates of their imagination to create an environment to match the product at costs much less than fabricating a classical or modern set. These sets are also neutral to the natural elements. Many fabricated sets are made for use in open air environments, and can brave sun, rain, storm, hail and snow.

Radio Sagarmatha : Nepal's First Community Radio Station

Landlocked Nepal, the Himalayan country that is home to some of the world's highest peaks, is showing the way to South Asia by going right ahead and setting up its first community radio station.

Official restrictions have not wet-blanketed the arrival of "Radio Sagarmatha," the first non-official, community-run FM station in the country. It was set up some months ago. Each morning at seven, this station fills the airwaves of capital Kathmandu with the sound of long forgotten Nepali folk music mixed with "development messages".

Sagarmatha - literally meaning the forehead of the ocean - is the Nepali name for Mount Everest, the tallest peak in the world standing 8,848 metres tall.

Online/Regular Courses/ Workshops
International News on line Workshop

Dates : November 15 to December 10,1999
Clientile:Managers/Directors/Head of Newspapers/Radio /Television
International Broadcasting Journalism

Dates: June 21- September 10,1999
Venue: Cardiff University
Clientele:Broadcasters with two years experience in Television/Radio

International Media and Public Relations

Dates:0ctober4-29.1999 Venue: Thomas Foundation, Cardiff Clientele: Media and Public Relations Practitioners/Information Officers in Government and Non-Government Officcs/ Media/Public Relation managers For the above three courses/workshop kindly
contact :The Thomson Foundation, Bute Building, Kin^ Edward VII Avenue, Cathays Park. Cardiff CF1 3NB,Wales,UK
Telephone:44-1222-22519 e-mail:ThomFound@cardiff.ac.uk

FORTHCOMING CEMCA WORKSHOPS

Methods a/Educational Media Research
collaborating Institution: Educational Media Research Centre. CIEFL. Hyderabad Dates:15-19, March,1999

Developing Multimedia Courseware/or Life Sciences collaborating Institution: Tamilnadu Veterinary University. Chennai Dates: 5-9 April 1999

Learning Through Creative Methods collaborating Institution: IIT, Bombay

Nonlinear Editing
further information, contact Director, CEMCA
Phone: 91-11 -698 5208, 699 6730
Fax: 91-11- 698 5208
E-mail: cemca@giasdl01.vsnl.net.in

March 1-5,1999

Pan-Commonwealth Forum on Open Learning,Brunei Darussalam
Theme : Empowerment through Knowledge and Technology For details contact: Forum secretariat.Pan-Commonwealth Forum on Open Learning,
1285 West Broadway, Suite,600,Vancouver, BC, V6H 3X8
Canada
Fax:(+l 604)774-8210
e-mail:forum@col.org

March 28-31 BCAL 99: Virtuality in Education: What are the Future Educational Contexts? The Institute of Education,London. For further details contact:
Phillipa Orme,
CAL99 Conference Secreteriat,
12 Church Street,West Henney,Wantage,Oxon,
OX120LN,UK Telefax.(+441235)868811

June 10-12,1999

International Conference on Technol ogy and Distance Education Fort Lauderdale,Florida, USA

Theme: Building Bridges through Technology and Distance Education. For further details contact:Alejandro Ibarra, Conference Coordinator, Nova , Southeastern University, FCAE,1750 NE 167th Street, North Miami Beach, Florida33162,USA. Tel :+1 954262-8558 Fax:+l 954262-3905 e-mail:ibarraa@fcae.nova.edu

June 20-24,1999

ICDEConference,1999 19th world conference on Open Learning and Distance Education.Vienna, Austria The main theme of the conference " New Educational Frontier: Teaching and Learning in the Networked World". For further information contact: Secretary General, ICDE, Gjedrumsvei,,12,N-0486,0slo. Fax:(+47/22)950719

Julyl-3,1999

8th Annual AMIC Conference The Asian media Information and Communication Centre will hold its 8th annual conference in Chennai( Madras), India.
The theme of the conference :Asia Information Poor to Information Rich- Strategies for the 21st Century. For further details contact :MrJoe Ma. G. Carlos, Conference Coordinator. AMIC, Jurong Point P.O. Box 360, Singapore-,916412

INFO

A New Journal of Policy, Regulation and strategy for Telecommunications, Information and Media. For further information contact:
Colin R. Blackman,
Camford Publishing Limited, Sidney House, Sussex Street,
Cambridge CB1 1PA,UK
Tel +4401223509161
Fax +4401223509162
e-mail: crblackman@camford.demon.co

New Media and Society A new international Journal being launched to provide a forum to study the social dynamics of media and information change.The Journal will engage in critical discussion of issues arising from the new media development on a interdisciplinary perspectives Editors:NicholasJankowski,Steven Jones Rohan Samarjiva. Roger Silverstone For details contact: SAGE Publications, Post Box No.4215, New Delhi-110048

Population at Millenium: The US Perspectives

Distributed by United States Information Service ,24, KasturabaGandhi Marg, New Delhi-110001 Tel:011-3316841

Universities in a Digital Era: Transformation, Innovation and Tradition: roles and perspectives of Open and Distance Learning

Szucs, A. and Wagner.A. ( Eds.) Proceedings of 7th European Distance Education Network9IDEN conference held at University of Bologna,Italy, 24-26 June 1998 Distributed by EDEN Secretariat Technical University of Budapest, Egryj.u.i,Hungary

Networked lifelong Learning: Innovative Approaches to Education and Training Through the Internet

S. Banks, C. Graebner and D. Me Con-nell ( Eds.)Proceedings of the 1998 International conference held at University of Sheffield, Sheffield Division of Adult Continuing Education.University of Sheffield, Sheffield.UK

Do Media Matter in Distance Education?

Gordon Burt, Open and Distance Education Statistics, Milton Keynes,UK

Dr. R Sreedher, Director, Electronic Media Production Centre, IGNOU.

Dr. Sreedhar comes to IGNOU with more than two decades of experience in radio and television. A Ph.D. in Chemistry from Madras University, Dr. Sreedhar brings to his present responsibility a life long commitment to using media for development and educational communication especially in areas relating to science and technology. He was a key member of the team which spearheaded the PREAL adult literacy programmes in the early 1990s

Ms. Rama Raghu lyer, Programme Officer (Multimedia) who joined CEMCA in November 1998 has rich ex perience of multimedia. Ms. Rama has vast exposure and developed abilities it multimedia course ware design with special emphasis on education

Awards/Fellowships

National foundation for India ( NFAI) invites proposal for fellowships from journalists and academicians to work in the area of media and gender justice, gender equity and development communication. For further details contact: National Foundation for India.Indian Habitat Centre. Zone 4-A. UG Floor, Lodhi Road,New Delhi.-110003 Tel. 91-11-4641864-65 Fax.91-11-4648490 e-mail: root@nfi.ren.nic.in

We miss.....

Prof. Bashiruddin, former Vice-Chancellor of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Open University.a distance education specialist and media expert who passed away in August, 1998.

Acknowledgement.........

Media Mail, New Delhi
Prof.Usha V. Reddi.Director,
CEMCA Prof.B.K.Passi IGNOU-UNESCO Chair
Mr. Sanjay Mishra. STRIDE. IGNOU

Contributions to....

The Editor Edu CommAsia
CEMCA
52, Tughlakabad Inst. Area
NEW DELHI- 110062
Phone & Fax: 91 11 6985208
e mail:cemca@giasdlol vsnl.net.in