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Telematics crucial in development of open, distance learning system I presented some of these ideas to the Pan-Commonwealth forum in Brunei a few years ago and they are part of the forthcoming Zimba-bwe university without walls being established by me. Cellphones are popular instruments of communications and I propose to use them for teaching and learning called "cellphone tutor", which is part of the educational telematics. Telematics plays a very crucial role in the development of open and distance learning system as education is made possible by means of various media which can cover long distances in a short space of time. Telematics in open and distance learning systems refers to the delivery of information from institutions, that is tutors, to distant learners through the use of telecommunications technologies such as the radio, television, telephone, video and audio cassettes, computers, satellites and cellphones. The use of technology for communications purposes was inherent in many pre-colonial and pre-industrial societies all over the world. Africa since time immemorial has perhaps been a world leader in distance communication using available local technologies. A good example was the use of the talking drum to send messages to people in distant places while others used the kudu horn. Advances in technology have now made it possible for two-way communication and interaction between the learner and the tutor. Distance education as a method of teaching and learning is made possible by the extensive use of technical multi-media which provide this vital two-way communication so that the student can benefit from and even initiate dialogue with the tutor and other learners. Distance and open learning systems have evolved in response to the demand for access to education at all levels, but specifically post-primary and higher education following the democratisation of education in many developing and the more developed countries. Unlike conventional education systems where the content of the subject is mainly communicated by word of mouth in a face-to-face learning situation, modern communication technologies are being used to reach a large number of learners of various age groups and in diverse non-face-to-face learning situations at any time. A virtual face-t-face situation can now be created, making it possible for audio and visual interaction to take place. In Zimbabwe, like in many other countries, telematics have created multiple opportunities for disseminating audio-visual information, with low- cost satellite-based technologies, for example, the areas now covered by radio, television and the telephone has increased tremendously and now cover almost the entire country. With the help of terrestrial transmission networks and satellite-based communication, the radio is able to reach the entire length and breadth of the country, with the telephone and it�s improved versions, people all over the country can reach each other instantly. Telephones with a fax machine have made postal systems more efficient. People from distant places can now send and receive information without any delays. Computer technology brought about tremendous advantages. Similarly, videotext technology adds the possibility and having access to more information by turning the home television into a computer terminal. This technology can retrieve textual information, figures and graphics from remote databases, and also allow people to have access to various frames of information on their television screens connected to a computer database. Through wireless transmission, people can, without travelling or attending workshops, physically have the same functions done through audio, video or computer teleconferencing. Communication technology is also used to teach. With it, distance education has proved that learning is possible anytime, anywhere and the barriers of time and space to teaching and learning have been broken. Advanced communication technologies such as video-text, video disc and computers are being used for education in developed countries. Being expensive and sophisticated, these technologies are not frequently used in developing countries, including Zimbabwe. Broadcasting technology has been and is being used for education and development in the developing countries in general, including Zimbabwe. The importance of telematics in education lies in its student centredness. The student can use the cellphone, radio, television, computers, videotext, telex to increase knowledge, gather, process and store information. With the growth and availability of electronic media, distance education has taken a very gigantic leap into the area of student support services. Electronic media can give tremendous support to distance learners. In fact, student support is the mainstay in the successful implementation of distance education programmes. Radio broadcasting has been used extensively for education and development purposes. If the country is to democratise education by bringing it to the doorstep of all citizens of the country, radio can be of immense help in achieving this objective. Television has an edge over radio. In addition to the audio, the actual subject matter, places, events, etc can be seen on the television screen. Television is more appropriate for teaching science subjects. Through radio and television, broadcasts students can come into contact with the most talented teachers of the country and this factor alone can minimise the gaps between the rural and urban students. The use of audio and video cassettes can benefit students at study centres. Telephone is mostly used for interpersonal communication, for example, a student�s service hour could be opened so that a student may call his tutor and have problems clarified. The telephone line is used for various communication devices such as fax, e-mail and computer. It can also be useful if audio-conferencing is conducted for the students. Computer-assisted instruction is very helpful in distance learning. Computer diskettes can process and store a large amount of information for dissemination. Teletext and videotext devices are advanced communication technologies. The television can be connected with a master computer and the desired information can be retrieved from the master computer. The facsimile can also be used as a mode of communication and is faster, quieter and less expensive than many of the tools available today. It can remove time and space barriers. The tutor can respond to learners� problems while at home and can offer more individualised attention to learners with specific learning needs. The strength of using telematics in distance education lies in the following: - They motivate learners psychologically. They heighten interest. - Psychomotor skills are learnt better if practised while watching a film in which those skills are being performed and demonstrated. - They promote participatory learning. - They increase learners� concentration on a task. - They accommodate individual needs and interests, especially through computers. Programmed instructions can be specifically designed for individualised learning. - They help learners monitor the information input and allow them the freedom to choose how much of information they would like to get exposed to and also enable them to choose their own convenient time to receive any given information. - The radio/audio medium provides easy accessibility, wide coverage, low capital investment and operating cost. - Television and video provide higher quality of instruction. The Mulindwas
communication group
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