Radio when combined with other technologies such as SMS

 

http://www.farmradio.org/english/partners/afrri/communicating-with-radio.pdf

 

 

Hydro power http://www.mdlf.org/en/mdlf/November07/941/

 

BUT

 

Radio - is being used as a physical network - real-time , dynamic 2-way interaction ? "Virtual networks allow us to emulate the functioning of, and hence get the benefit of, a network. But because the continued functioning of the network depends on some very non-network conditions (the benevolence of the radio station owner, for example) it should be understood that such structures can very rapidly become non-networks."1

 

 

Key Findings:

India

Organized group listening and discussion improves knowledge gain; and Multi-channel communication is more effective than single channel communication.

Philippines

While radio school is very effective, radio should not act alone;

Testimonials and jingles facilitate the best recall and comprehension of messages;

Farm radio is an effective social lubricant; and Farm and development radio content is more effective when generated with and alongside local communities.

Tanzania

Farm and development radio increases people’s development knowledge, but it faces problems of sustained attendance;

Radio study groups are a considerable help in getting people to adopt better development practices;

Radio forums strengthen rural decision-making structures; and Radio dramas attract a wide and sustained listenership, and influence behavioural change positively.

Malawi

Farm radio is very effective in communicating agricultural messages, and is a key component of an agricultural extension program;

Farm radio forums initiate interest in farming issues, but are not sufficiently effective on their own;

Late afternoons and early evenings are the best radio listening times;

Agricultural drama is more effective than a magazine format in attracting high listenership;

There are poor research linkages among farm broadcasting stakeholders;

Community-produced radio programs motivate communities to take development action;

Radio programs created by communities attract high listenership;

Field-generated programs give people a sense of identity and self-efficacy; and It is important to consult communities before establishing radio listening clubs.

Mali

Listenership studies are a key strategy for determining audience preferences and needs before developing programming.

Mozambique

Community-generated evaluation instruments are relevant to local situations;

Participatory evaluation is sustainable; most households own radio sets;

Local public or community broadcasters enjoy high listenership;

Radio is the most effective means of reaching the rural communities;

Drama and magazine are the most popular formats of educational programming;

Radio spots are popular too, but specific messages are not adequately recalled; and Sustained radio listenership is more effective than exposure to a specific campaign.

Ghana

Radio forums are superior to the use of radio alone;

Rural radio is a reliable agricultural extension tool;

Drama is the most popular and effective format of farm-casting;

Effective radio programmes provide farmers with strategies for generating more income;

Farm radio must integrate communication-for-development approaches;

Interviews and focus groups do not yield much information when measuring the specific impact of farm and rural broadcasts;

Radio listenership is affected by differences in gender and radio set ownership;

Strong research linkages between broadcasters, agricultural researchers and farmers’ organizations improve radio’s effectiveness; and Farm radio is more effective when linked with new information and communication technologies (ICTs).

South Africa

Entertainment-educational radio and television dramas are the most effective practice in development programming, and they promote deliberative dialogue

around development issues;

Multimedia approaches increase the reach of development radio programs

 

---

Refs:

1. Downes S, Non-Web Connectivism, (February 20, 2007)