ABSTRACT
The technology is either in place or will be in to permit a burgeoning of educational communications. Several countries have the production capability required to produce quality educational programming. The hard evidence for the impact of any educational innovation is sparse. The evidence for educational broadcasting is actually comparatively good-30% yearly gains in the Nicaraguan radio math program, compared to the conventional system; significantly improved academic mastery scores in El Salvador and Korea; high pass rates at the British Open University. The formal planning process has rarely-if ever-generated major educational innovation, no matter how good the plan or how logical the solution. Instead, the innovations have come from the passionate commitment of one or a few individuals in positions of influence. American Samoa’s TV system arose in part from Governor Rex Lee’s personal experience with television-his daughter had learned to type through viewing early morning television.
