Educational technology networks in developing countries; a strategy for improving the derivation and utilization of knowledge, final report

BECAUSE ADMINISTRATORS OF SUCH SYSTEMS MAKE DECISIONS WHICH POTENTIALLY USE THE FULL RANGE OF BOTH HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE OF EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY, NETWORKS OPERATING AROUND THESE ADMINISTRATORS HAVE GREAT POTENTIAL. THIS REPORT IDENTIFIES FIVE AREAS FOR NETWORKING: RADIO IN RURAL DEVELOPMENT; RADIO IN FORMAL EDUCATION; ITV IN TOTAL SYSTEMS; ITV OR RADIO IN TEACHER EDUCATION; AND EDUCATIONAL USE OF SATELLITES. THE REPORT PROPOSES THAT FOR EACH AREA, FIVE TO FIFTEEN OUTSTANDING NATIONAL PROGRAMS BE SELECTED FROM LDCS AND THEIR TOP ADMINISTRATORS BE INVITED TO JOIN A NETWORK OF INTERNATIONAL PEERS. NETWORK FUNCTIONS WOULD INCLUDE FACILITATING COMMUNICATIONS BETWEEN NETWORK UNITS, COORDINATING THE IMPLEMENTATION OF COOPERATIVE PROBLEM-SOLVING STUDIES, CONVENING AN ANNUAL NETWORK WORKSHOP, AND PROVIDING TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE OF AN INFORMATIONAL AND SHORT-TERM NATURE. THE INFORMATION FROM THE PROJECTS AND THE NETWORK STUDIES WOULD PROVIDE DATA THAT COULD BE USED BY AN INFORMATION ANALYSIS CENTER. ACCORDING TO THIS PROPOSAL, SUCH A CENTER WOULD ANALYZE DATA AND EXTRACT GUIDELINES ON THE USE OF EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY. CREATING EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY NETWORKS CONSISTS OF TWO STEPS: (1) PLANNING A CONFERENCE FOR ADMINISTRATORS OF ITV AND RADIO PROJECTS IN LDCS, WHICH INVOLVES IDENTIFYING CANDIDATES AND VISITING PROJECTS TO DETERMINE THE INFORMATION NEEDS OF ADMINISTRATORS; AND (2) CREATING NETWORKS AND DEVELOPING NETWORK LINKAGES AND PROBLEM-SOLVING ACTIVITIES.