Using "plasma TV" broadcasts in Ethiopian secondary schools: A brief survey

Abstract

The objective for this study is to investigate the contribution of the "plasma" mode of instruction to the school experiences of students in Government secondary schools in Ethiopia, as viewed by students, their parents and teachers, and by comparing it with experiences in Catholic secondary schools, which did not use "plasma". Interviews, observations and document analyses were used as data collection instruments. It was observed that Government and Catholic Schools use the same national curriculum but employ different classroom practices. Government schools were using a live, nationally broadcasted "plasma" television mode of instruction, whilst the Catholic schools used traditional face to face methods of teaching. However, the two groups of participants; students, teachers and parents in the two schools, have different comments on the actual teaching-learning practices of the schools irrespective of their own classroom experiences. Recommendations based on the data are presented.