Every story has five basic elements (Characters, Conflict, Plot, Climax and Setting) which are described. But how is the story found in the first place (Audience Research, Brainstorming, Field Observations and Audience Drama Workshops) ? Most radio scriptwriters develop the resulting story ideas in three preliminary stages (Plot Summary, Plot Sketch and script Outline) .
Every Radio drama is created by integrating four categories of sound (Narration, Dialogue, sound Effects and Music). A radio script is only a blueprint for studio production. Finding talented actors and musicians, rehearsing and recording a drama, and preproduction planning actually brings to life the script in the studio .
Source: Pamela Brook Sources of Information
USAID , Washington, D. C 20523 (T: 703 875 4490, Fax: 703 875 5490), Contact: Mr. James Hoxeng .
Radio Learning Project , Educational Development Center , 55 Chapel Street, Newton, MA 02160 (T: 617 969 7100, Fax 617 332 6405). Contact: Dr. Thomas Tilson .
Radio and Development , Radio Nederland Training Center , Witte Kruislaan 55, P. O. Box 222, 1200 JG Hilversum, The Netherlands (Fax: 035 724532). Contact: Mr. Joop Swart . Selected Bibliography
Ahamed, U. 1981. "Community development through local broadcasting − an experience among the hill tribes of Chiang Mai, Thailand" , Educational Broadcasting International , June 1981 .
Block, Clifford H, et al. 1985 . Interactive Radio in the Classroom: Ten Years of Proven Success . Academy of Educational Development, Washington, D.C .
Brook, Pamela. 1992 . Communicating Through Characters: Radio Drama and Behavior Change . Monograph, Cering House on Development Communication, Arlington VA . The substance behind the images: AID and development . 1993. Agency for International Development (USAID) publication
There are, clearly, wide applications for store−and−forward communications, particularly in remote areas and plans to launch more satellites for different applications are already in hand. Experiments show that low cost environmental monitoring from LEO's also appears to be feasible, provided it has only limited requirements (eg. medium resolution) and this is an area where further
developments can be expected. At the present time it is unlikely that moving images (TV and video) will be able to be transmitted by LEO's .
What Is Satellite Communication?
There are two major types of satellite communication systems.
those in geostationary orbit (GEO's) those in low−earth−orbit (LEO's)
Of the two, LEOs have the greater potential for use in developing countries.
Characteristics of a GEO
GEO's are in high orbit from the earth
they go round the earth at the same speed as the earth turns so are always in the same position in relation to the earth
they orbit in the equatorial plane so do not cover the polar latitudes 3 of them are needed to cover the earth's surface
GEO's are used as repeaters for voice and data signals
they are linked to terrestrial infrastructures which are owned and operated by international communications companiesbreak
ELECTRONIC DISTANCE EDUCATION SYSTEMS Using GEOs
GLOSAS/USA (Global Systems Analysis and Simulation Association) is a publicly supported, non−profit educational service organization based in New York which aims to improve the quality and availability of international educational exchange through the use of
telecommunication and information technologies. Some of the projects by GLOSAS/USA follow .
The Global Lecture Hall (GLH): Using interactive video technology for video conferencing, global lecture halls have been demonstrated by connecting multi−country sites together by GLOSAS/USA. Live 'events' have been presented in an interactive setting to wide area audiences. However, at present due to cost and technical considerations, the interactive element relies on audio, fax and electronic mail for live feedback .
What Is Satellite Communication? 82
Video as an interactive agent: The GLOSAS Project . The Global Systems Analysis and Simulation (GLOSAS) project on energy, resources and environment (ERE) system for peace gaming is a project to make video a multiưuser interactive educational agent .
The aim of the project is to use gaming simulations, with the help of computer based
networking and multimedia technologies, as a useful tool for understanding global problems and global policy among globally diverse users .
Global (Electronic) University (GU): The GU aims to take advantage of multimedia technologies and computer networking to serve as a global education agent. It hopes to provide institutions, learners and researchers currently limited to resources on one site, access on a global scale to educational, cultural, information, knowledge, vocational and community activities, in a networked environment .
Russian Electronic University: A USưRussian Electronic Distance Education System (EDES) is currently being established jointly by GU/USA (a division of GLOSA/USA) and the
Association of International Education (AIE) of Russia on the basis of a request from the Ministry of Science, Higher Education and Technology Policy of the Russian Federation. The EDES is to become the 'Russian Electronic University' once it is completed. Russian students will be able to use the EDES to access courses offered by member schools of GU/USA without coming to the US or having American instructors travelling to Russia. The system will allow Russian students to converse with American instructors and classmates at a distance using audio, voice mail, electronic mail, fax and slowưscan TV through a free of charge narrow band channel of INTELSAT's Project ACCESS. It also proposed to later allow American students and those from other nations to receive courses from universities and academicians in Russia .
What Are GEOs Used For?
realưtime, 24 hour communication TV broadcasting
Characteristics of a LEO
LEO's are in lowưearth orbit
they take typically 100 minutes to orbit the earth
during a single 24 hour period they will complete 13+ orbits
the number of orbits combined with the earth's rotation means they are within range at any point on the earth's surface several times a day
depending on the location points communication time will vary from minutes to 10ư12 hours.
What Can LEO's Be Used For?
storeưandưforward communications earth resources observation and monitoring
What Are GEOs Used For? 83
navigation space science microgravity education
What Are LEO's Designed to Do?
LEO's are a newer concept in satellite communication designed to meet the needs of those whom GEO's do not serve including:
users in remote regions, developing countries, earthquake disaster zones;
users at high latitudes where GEO coverage is poor or nonưexistent;
users who do not need instantaneous communications and are prepared to tradeưoff delay in message delivery for a lower cost; and
educationalists in space engineering and technology.break
What Are the Costs of a LEO?
LEO's are amazingly lowưcost when compared with GEO's. As with most technologies absolute costs relate to what you want the satellite to do. The more you want it to perform for you the more equipment it will need to carry and consequently the higher the cost. A lowưcost small (50kg) satellite can be put into orbit for between
£1ư3 million depending on the exact payloads, specifications and who are the manufacturers. User terminals could cost as little as £300.
Factors to Be Taken into Account When Considering the Potential for LEO Programmes
the available, or likely budget the launcher to be used the objectives
frequencies available to service the missionbreak
Source of Information for LEOs
Volunteers in Technical Assistance (VTA), 1600 Wilson Blvd., Suite 200, Arlington, VA 22209 (T: 703 276 1800, Fax: 703 243 1865) .
What Are LEO's Designed to Do? 84