Interactive Community Radio and Its Role in Distance Learning: Aspect in Bangladesh

Abstract

PCF5: Cross-Cutting Theme // Open and distance learning (ODL) is experiencing rapid growth throughout the world. Although started in 1956, the ODL has expanded remarkably after the establishment of Bangladesh Open University (BOU) in Bangladesh in 1992 as the only national public university. Meanwhile, BOU has launched 23 formal and 19 non-formal academic programmes throughout the country. It uses several print and electronic media to deliver instructions to its formal students and non-formal target groups. Among the various media used in BOU, it appeared that radio is one of the effective media for delivering instructions to the students and target mass peoples living in remote rural areas of Bangladesh. It is the cheapest and uninterrupted medium for those who live in the areas with no telephone and electricity. The effectiveness of radio can significantly be increased by changing its current format into an Interactive Community Radio (ICR). The ICR would be a cost-effective educational device for approximately 200,000 junior, secondary and higher secondary levels students living in rural places where electricity is still unreached. This research paper discuses ICR importance for BOU,budget of a ICR station, the problems and prospects of ICR as an effective medium of BOU ODL system and suggests possible ways to get benefits from this cost-effective medium. // Paper ID 102