Broadcasting and Education.

Radio Record, Volume II, Issue 38, 5 April 1929, Page 10

Broadcasting and Education.

Knowledge at the Fireside Broadcast Lectures of the W.E.A.

{ HEN one of London’s streets was being repaved some time ago, a man noticed a nightwatchman sitting in his shelter with the earphones on. He stopped to speak, but the listener put up his hand, and said, "Ssh! [’m listening to Desmond MacCarthy!" This is one of the amusing and signifieant stories related by a special committee set up by the British Broadcasting Company, that illustrate the wide appreciation of the educational lectures broadcasted in Britain. The committee, presided over by Sir Henry Hadow, asked whether broadcasting cou! | so transform education to make it profitable and pleasurable to the mass of hard-working people who like to go home, smoke a pipe, and read a paper or play a game. There was little doubt that broadcasting had tremendous educational possibilities, and that already these possibilities were influencing the standards of cultural appreciation of the people. A member of the committee was talking recently. to a farmer jn a remote agricultural county, "There is one thing, I’ve noticed since this wireless came in,’ said the farmer, "the talk in the bars and round the fires of an evening is on vastly different subjects from what they used to talk about." The committee proposed that the B.B.C. should associate itself with the work of a National Council for Broadeasting Adult Education. Such a committee would consider the desires of listeners-in of all interests. Broadcastanes

ing education would fill many gaps in the existing adult education movement, and there was little danger that it would supplant other educational facilities, especially if the educational bodies took their share in developing it. As a result of the committee’s report, since publishe1 under the title of "New Ventures in Broadcasting: A Study in Adult Education," an effort has been made to co-ordinate the edueational activities by means of "Aids to Study Pamphlets," detailed programmes of "Talks and Lectures" and discussion groups. N New Zealand, the Otago Workers’ Educational Association has delivered lecturettes since 1925, and now similar work is being done in the other centres. \ Aids to Study. T first the British "Broadcasting Company issued small pamphlets, which were supplenentary to the lectures, and which contained summaries of the talks, reference to good books on the subject, questions for discussion, and pictures or diagrams. They provided both a guide to further reading and a permanent record of what had been said. These pamphlets are now incorporated in the "Radio Times." Through the pages of the "Radio Re cord," the Otago W.E.A. hopes in a similar way to make the lectures more interesting. In the issue before the lectures, which will be given every

Tuesday evening at 7.80 from 4YA, a summary of the lecture will be published, together with questions and books on the subject. Listeners-in are invited to send in written answers to the questions, These will be read carefully and returned with corrections and comments. The first series of four lectures will be given by Mr. Lloyd Ross, M.A., LL.B., on Drama, and will begin on April 28rd, with a lecture on "The People and the Play." Then will follow lectures on "Tragedy," "Comedy," and "Modern Social Drama." Notes on these lectures will be given in a later issue. As a suitable introduction to the talks, listeners could read the W.H.A. Correspondence Courses in "World History," "Pacific Problem," and "Modern Drama." Correspondence and Discussion Groups. "THE success of any talk can only be measured by the interest it arouses," says the detailed programme of "Talks and Lectures," issued by the B.B.C., and the purpose of the talks in this programme is to stimulate listeners to further study and discussion of the subject." Many, perhaps, will wish for further information on points raised by the speaker. Many will have criticisms. The Otago W.H.A. therefore is ready to receive correspondence and to answer questions. Letters should be addressed to the "Secretary, Workers’ Educational Association, University of Otago, Dunedin," and should be marked "Radio Talks." In Mngland, many listeners wishing to discuss the subjects of the talks have arranged to meet for this purpose, and either form a group to hear the talks through a loudspeaker, or listen in their own homes, and meet subsequently for discussion. The number of these "discussion" groups increases steadily. Should such groups be formed, the Otago W.EH.A. is willing to work with them by meeting their wishes on the matter of subjects, and by issuing supplementary material. In any case, it is anxious to receive suggestions for its lectures. Listeners-in are reputed to know what they want and be willing to demand it. Here is their opportunity to make demands from a sympathetic audience. The W.H.A. is eager to assist in any way commensurate with its ideal of spreading the highest knowledge among the people. So let the suggestions, criticisms, complaints and demands flow in to the Secretary, University of Otago.