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GHANA LEARNING TELEVISION (GLTV), GOOD BUT…

Some few months ago, students were in school enjoying a method of learning they have been accustomed to for most of their life time if not their entire life time. Suddenly, a certain Covid-19 appears and everything has changed.

The Government of Ghana, like many governments across the globe had no other option than to close down schools. In government’s attempt to ensure that learning continues in Ghana, the Ghana learning Television (GLTV) has been introduced. Excellent idea, but can we do better? I think so.

In this article I look at ways the Ghana Learning Television (GLTV) can be enhanced to achieve its intended purpose.


Method of teaching

Teachers use a wide range of methods to deliver their lessons. Selecting these methods may depend on the topic being taught or the teaching aids available. I really sympathize with the teachers who appear on the various television channels to teach because they are handicapped one way or the other.

Most of the teachers I have watched so far appear to be using the lecture method. I really don’t think teachers have a lot of options with regards to methods of teaching on television. The lecture method appears to be the easiest method but I think we can do some modification here.

We can infuse some demonstrations into our lessons. I think the demonstrations are not enough for students who watch to fully grasp the concepts being taught. For if students do not understand what is being taught then what’s the essence of the channel? We certainly need more demonstrations and less talking from our teachers. We can also do some role play using animations or recorded videos to make lessons more practical.

To make the learner at home more active, the lessons could be telecast live and learners given the opportunity to comment and ask questions by sms, phone calls or whatsApp.

 

Teacher’s expertise

Teachers mostly teach in the classrooms and I must commend our hard working teachers who come on air to deliver lessons. Standing in front of cameras and the crew instead of students to presents lessons would not be an easy task.

Sometimes it becomes very clear that some of the teachers are a bit nervous especially when introducing their lessons. Some of the teachers I have watched visibly lacked confidence in front of the camera and this makes their lessons boring sometimes.

I am of the view that teachers who come on air should be given a little bit of training if possible to help them feel free to deliver their lessons as they would do in their classrooms.

I really want to see teachers be themselves and put up a cheerful face in front of the cameras when they present their lessons. The attention of learners should be on the lesson and not the teachers. Teachers should be coached by experienced television presenters to make their lessons more interesting to get learners hooked to their seats at home.

 

Time factor

The time at which any content is delivered on television is very vital in achieving its intended purpose. If the channel is targeted at students then it should be positioned as such. I think it will be very difficult for most channels broadcasting virtual lessons to get the attention of students looking at the number of other television channels available to us today. This makes the timing of lessons an important factor.

I have watched lessons on the GLTV as late as 11:00pm and this is a channel targeted at students. This is the time other channels show adult content which is definitely not appropriate for young students. The danger is that students may change the channel to other channels were adult content is being shown due to curiosity.

This danger could be cleared if lessons are shown only at appropriate times. Parents should also be encouraged to guide their children in tuning in to educative channels instead of channels which are not appropriate for students.


Edinam Ahiably-Kumordjie

predahku@mail.com

+233 541 841 921


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