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THE COMMON ROOM by George Wilmot
Page 120
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Close-circuit television II: Time for action
E exciting possibilities of close-circuit television for those Fstudying transport were reviewed last week with special reference to the Inner London Education Authority scheme which will link 1,300 educational establishments by 1970. Plans are now being pursued regarding the content and type of programme in professional educational sectors and those chosen are likely to be the prototypes of schemes being discussed in other regions.
It is by no means safe to assume that transport education will inevitably find a place in the activities—indeed, there is a need for the educational bodies in transport to press cogently for inclusion of the subject in any form.
The astronomical expenses involved in this process—the cost of a programme can range from £1,000 to £3,000 an hour—will mean that selection of subject content will be based on stringent tests. A case must be made for large viewing audiences at various educational institutions who would discuss the programme in their several groups following its showing. In view of the multiplicity of transport courses offered in so many examination systems and often attracting small class numbers, no such transport guarantee could be given at the present juncture.
If educational organizations in transport really believe in the desirability of close-circuit television, they must consult together and present recommendations with one voice. It would be little use if the Institute of Transport presented one set of proposals with the smaller organizations and the universities and various LEA colleges each preparing quite separate ideas. Co-ordination between educational organizations in transport has always been more of a desirable concept than a practical reality. Very little has been achieved in the past but, more recently, there have been signs of a desire for the various bodies to be linked for the exchange of ideas and information. It is hoped that concern for this television project will bring the interests much closer together so that a common policy can be forged.
Subjects which are common to most examination schemes need to be recommended for this medium—programmes relating to transport economics, transport law and planning could be watched by groups from the Institute of Transport, the RSA diploma inroad transport subjects, the Industrial Transport Association, the Institute of Traffic Administration plus those studying for the Institute of Road Transport Engineers, 'Various town planning awards and in university courses.
Of course, the levels would be very different but this could be overcome with imaginative planning and careful thought by those taking the "follow-up" groups after the programme. There are many other examples which could be cited if organizations were prepared to tailor their examination syllabuses to meet this new medium.
Failure to take advantage of close-circuit television, which will soon be a country-wide educational aid, will leave the chronic problems of inadequate teaching and inaccessibility to classes. Neither aspect has much hope of immediate improvement.
Mr. Wilmot is Lecturer in Transport Studies, University of London.