Use of Radio Broadcast in Teaching of Commerce

The use of radio broadcast is quite important in teaching of commerce if it can be properly utilized. For its proper utilisation following points be kept in view.

(i) Radio broadcast is simply an aid to teaching and not a substitute for it. It is just like a laboratory experiment, a trip etc.

(ii) It is desirable to hear such a broadcast in class room instead of an auditorium or any other large room.

(iii) For making out best utilization it is essential to select the broadcast very carefully on the basis of probable value in furthering the pupil’s learning.

(iv) Selection of the radio broad casts is done much in advance so that teachers get enough time to plan better preparatory and follow-up activities.

(v) The broadcast be evaluated keeping the following factors in mind

(a) Do the materials presented contribute to the attainment?

(b) Is it authentic and accurate in all details?

(c) Does it have unity?

(d) In the programme suitable for the grade level for which it is being considered ?

(e) Will the programme arouse interest and motivate the listener to read more about the subject presented?

(f) Does the programme summaries the main points and hence fix them in the students mind?

(g) Is the programme presented in an interesting way?

No programme will be equally suitable for all pupils from first to twelfth grade.

(vi) A Radio broadcast may be considered only an assignment for further study.

(vii) The teacher should make a sincere effort to assess the results of a broadcast.

(III) Motion Pictures

Motion pictures are also used as teaching aids for teaching of commerce. In their usual display they resemble the T.V. programme but they differ in the following respects.

(a) T.V. programmes are available on a definite date and time where as films can be seen at any time.

(b) Teacher has no control on T.V. programme but the film programme can be adjusted by the teacher.

(c) Some good files helps in imparting certain factual information and developing performance skills.

(d) Film may bring about a change in the attitude of the child.

(e) Short single concept film has more advantage.

(f) Film increase learning by repetition of key points.

(IV) Computer Assisted Instructions

Like, books, films, black-boards and laboratory equipments and maps, the computer assisted instruction also can serve the teacher to communicate to the students. But it is very sophisticated ‘Monster’ aid and requires careful preparation for use and higher prerequisite for understanding.

Such an instruction has two major levels of impact to the teacher:

(i) The teacher’s ability to work in an efficient way is increased.

(ii) It makes the teacher more critical and active.

For students it provides immense opportunities for learning more and tp rationalise thinking.

The most important factor is that computer is ‘flexible’ teacher and not a ‘rigid’ teacher. Computer offers many alternatives to the learner so that depending upon learning capacity and imaginative power, different options are available to the students.

(V) Enrichment Resources from the Community

The community in general and the business community in particu­lar have the capacity to provide a large number of teaching aids. It is for the teacher to locate such aids and evaluate them. The local newspaper, the national dailies, the economic and business dailies, the economic and business magazines are all full of enrichment material for teaching of commerce. A close contact with local business personnel way also provide rich resources and so it is desirable for the commerce teacher to interact with local business people and to welcome opportunities to widen his horizon beyond the class room by associating with the business leaders of the community. Foreign business magazines and periodicals are also potential sources of teaching aids for commerce education. Some of the famous business magazines are Journal of Business Education, the Business Education world, and The Balance-Sheet.

(VI) Use of Media

The conventional derives of teaching are lectures, seminars, tutorials, field work etc. Modern technology has given rise to news devices and aids.

Of such aid T.V. and Radio Broadcasts have already been dis­cussed. The public address system, inter-class communication are becoming very popular for mass teaching purposes.

Site programmes are shown since 1975.

The programmed learning and computer aided instructions are other such aids.

‘The accelerating and multiplying effect of new techniques of reproduction and communication is basic to the introduction of most educational innovations.”

It is impossible to think of education today without the media, especially the technical media in the schools.

In respect to the learner the media:

(a) Increases motivation.

(b) Increses success.

(c) Helps adapt the learning process to individual learning and speed.

(d) Activates the learners.

(e) Provides information and creates opportunities for exercise.

(f) Promote the social behaviour through team-work.

(g) Intensify the learning process.

(h) Reinforces the processes of comprehension.

(i) Promote critical use of the media.

(g) Aid in adaptation to native speakers.

(h) Create a background situation for verbal activity. For the teacher the media:

(a) Monitor the attainment of instructional objective,

(b) Offer a great variability in course of instructions,

(c) Make the instructions more topical,

(d) Rationalise the move to ring procedure,

(e) Relieve the teacher for actual pedagogical activities,

(f) Help in grasping problems, situations, reinforcement, and summarising lessons up and round off certain topics.