Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-08-24
EDUCATION PROMOTED
THROUGH RADIOS USE
Schools and Peoples Isolated From Ad.
vantages Sure to Profit by
Development.

I One danger needs to be pointed out.
Popular fancy, hastily formed, assumes
that In some unexplained manner this
new agency VIII reach out its ethereal
voice and educate all Of the people. ]
cannot believe that any such millen-
full and sustained effort for the ac-
QUESTION Of knowledge, skill or appre-
, ciation." Education without sustained
effort on the part Of the student Is
impossible. And since this Is true,
there never can be for child or for
adult any royal road to learning via
radio. any more than by any other
route.
Should Not Expect Too Much.
The fact that students early In life
recognize this principle Il indicated by
the manner In which they have phrased
and perpetuated that well known ditty,
you can ride Latin pony, but you
cannot make him think" We should
not expect too much from radio educa-
tionally, while at the same time we
should take advantage Of any opportu-
nifty which holds out hope for educa-
tional services
Several conditions peculiar to this are
ofter to radio unusual educational Oh.
portunities. One result of the machine
age is shorter working hours. This con-
dition In turn gives more leisure time.
Leisure time unprofitably used probably
will be more Of q curse than blessing
Both old and new cultural institutions
have here unique opportunity for
service 70 society as whole as well as
the profitable movement
Is the adult education movement.
Our rapidly changing civilization, with
its many demands for adjustments and
new skills, brings q more urgent need
for education throughout life. II radio
can help old established institutions,
which In some respects already are
taxed near their capacity, carry this
new responsibility, II will be more than
welcomed. If radio can provide oppor-
tunities beyond those possible for other
institutions, 1t will be rendering still
greater services. It Is probably In this
field that the radio will be Of most use
fulness educationally.
Educational Opportunities Offered.
A number Of educational or semi
educational institutions are establishing
relations with radio In order to offer
new educational opportunities. Libraries
are announcing new books, giving book
reviews and in other ways effectively
informing the public Of their services
and facilities; museums are giving word
pictures Of their masterpieces or de-
scribing interesting exhibits and invit-
ing personal visits; health departments
are quick to utilize the radio in cases
OF epidemics. In normal times many
use the radio to disseminate information
on rules Of health and sanitation.
Governments are explaining bureau
and departmental functions; legislators
are discussing proposed laws; politicians
are presenting their platforms over the
air. The church Is sending out It's
message. Explorers are using this new
device to assist in extending geographic
ical boundaries or In making Important
discoveries.
Broadcasters Develop Aids.
While other agencies are using the
radio as Q supplementary institution,
broadcasters are developing aids to assist
radio education. Books, pamphlets, pu-
pil and teacher aids are published and
distributed for radio listeners. The
British Broadcasting Co, case In point,
publishes the Radio Times, World Ra-
do, the Listener, Aids to Study and
miscellaneous books and pamphlets
These publications are sold at nominal
prices. The corporation reports that
1929 was f94 900.
The fact-tha International talks are
not always educational Is being recoe-
nised. Accordingly, many ~broadcasters
are raising questions and suggesting DOS
stble methods Of solution, but leaving q
place Tor student effort and initiative.