Saturday, October 13, 2007
FACILITATING ICT AND INTERNET KNOWLEDGE EXCHANGE IN TRANS WORLD RADIO
by Victor Kaonga
Global Online Course in ICT Journalism July 2007
…………………………………………………………..............………………………….
Introduction/ General background
Trans World Radio is an international gospel broadcasting organization founded in 1954 in the US by an Evangelist Dr Paul Freed. It began work in Malawi in 1985 with recording studios. Trans World Radio Malawi began broadcasting on fm in December 2000 and for the last three years it has expanded its coverage to the rest of Malawi. Operating from Lilongwe, it has production and transmission studios manned by a team of full time, part time and volunteers.
To keep inline with the digital world, Trans World Radio moved to using digital equipment in its studios in July 2000 and has since then been improving its capacity to accomodate growing changes in the broadcasting world.
Objective and Methodology of Survey
While the station uses the computers and Internet, no deliberate effort was made to determine the ICT Needs within the organisation mainly amongst programming staff, hence this is a research effort at Trans World Radio (TWR) Malawi.
The station has a core programming team of ten people who use the Computer and Internet. The aim of this small research was to identify the knowledge gaps amongst programming staff who form the cutting edge of Trans World Radio. The motivation and background to this was that TWR staff have computers and 24-hour internet access yet my feeling is that these are heavily underutilzed. This was meant to be an effort to highlight what hinders staff from making maximum use of these facilities. The survey also aims at trying to discover researchers own understanding of the ICTs and how they interplay with TWR programming.
A questionnaire to fulltime programming staff was used and each was given them one week to respond. Being an internal survey, it was felt one week was enough.
Main Findings
Programming staff as well all broadcasting work heavily relies on computers. However it was discovered that the Internet is heavily underutilized as only about 3 hours per person out the 24 hours each day is used.
It was found out also that programing staff desire to know more about basic search functions and also how to put some of their documents on line.
The respondents highlighted the need for the station to remove all infrastructural and financial challenges to using computers and the Internet.
WAY FORWARD
A copy of this report be sent to the National Director of Trans World Radio Malawi and management members for their information as well as discussion so that the gaps could be filled by their facilitation.
It is hoped that the findings would help Management to organise relevant and proper in-house training to be arranged before end of the year 2007
SURVEY RESULTS
The survey had two sections: Computer and Internet.
A. COMPUTER
1. Uses of the computer
The survey revealed that the computers are crucial tools for work at Trans World Radio. They are used for a range of assignments most of which are for programming purposes.
All the respondents indicated that at least they use the computers for word processing and producing programmes. On programmes, it was indicated that the computers are for typing scripts, recording, editing, “mixing programmes, playing songs and programmes.”
One of them said
“I use the computer for Word processing, storing information (audio and visual), editing text and audio files, calculating, playing games, timing, listening to music. “
Another said,
“I use it to work on some personal things, like writing letters and storing personal information and files”
2. Time Spent working on the computer
Depending on the individual assignments, programming staff seem to spend more time working with computers than anything else at the offices and studios.
The Table below shows how that five out of the respondents spend more than at least five hours each day on the computer.
PC Less/hr To 2 To 3 To 4 To 5 6 & More
1 1 11111
Internet 111111 1
3. Software on the computers
There are a range of software on the computers at Trans World Radio Malawi. The survey revealed that while staff are comfortable with most of the software, there are some software which are less utilized or never at all.
Each respondent simply listed the software that they normally use. The following were mentioned:
Microsoft word, publisher, Excel, Microsoft Power Point, Publisher, Cool Edit, Wave Cart. Media player.
However missing from this list are other programming-related software like the ones for converting and compressing audio files, Simian, dmc Audio Cd input, dB power AMP Music Converter, Core Talk Standard, MPEG to Wave Wrapper and FTP software
It is a known thing however that some staff know how to use these software but with different competencies. However it clear that there are gaps in the competencies to use some software.
4. Knowledge Need Area.
There was a general desire amongst the respondents to know more about various areas of the computers.
All of them did point out they need knowledge in Microsoft Office functions of Excel, Publisher. Some one listed “Microsoft office Info Path, office Access”
One of them indicated that they would love to know more about the audio software “cool edit”
One respondent wished they knew about photo software and Adobe reader. One of them was so expressive, “Yes I wish I knew something about Microsoft Power Point, excel, publisher and other broadcasting softwares.”
5. Unique place of computers
All respondents felt computers have a unique place in their life and work. They all pointed out that they cannot do without computers, adding without them life and work “could have been demanding and time consuming.”
One respondent said
“I don’t even want to think about!!! Computers make life so much easier. I do not need to write out things by hand, I can easily store information; I can even work in much less time than by doing work manual.” One respondent emphasized.
Another underscored the role computers play by referring to technology.
“My work would have been very difficult without a computer since we are living in a world that is advancing in terms of technology and one working without a computer that means a lot of work.”
6. Computers Availability-Does TWR have adequate numbers?
There were mixed responses here as some said Trans World Radio has adequate computers while other said no. However one of them added an angle that probably best explains the reality on the ground.
“Computers alone are not adequate for my work, as we all know they can’t work independently. I would say the computer is the final ‘instrument’ in order to come up with my work.”
The station has eleven digital work stations
7. What challenges do you meet as you use the computers?
Using computers cannot go without challenges. While not ignoring personal knowledge challenges, the respondents generally highlighted the infrastructural gaps at the station contributing to the difficulties.
The following were listed:
Overloading hence slow response.
Frequent power interruptions, and computer jams
One respondent underscored the challenges by stating,
“Since my work depends solely on computers, when ‘something’ happens to the computer (power failure, someone else is using it-which are all normal things) my work is put on hold.”
“Sometimes it stops responding and I don’t know which button to press.”
Sometimes it “refuses to save and you loose all your work.”
One respondent referred to the challenge on adequacy of computers.
“I normally come across are inadequate of computers for my work since there are a number of people who want to use the computer. The other challenge is that most of the computers that we have do not have headphones that one can use as you are editing materials.”
.........…………………………………………………………………….……………..
B. INTERNET
1. Use of the Internet
Respondents indicated that they use the Internet for a range of purposes. The following were listed:
Sourcing information like news, music, pictures, bible facts etc, storing information, research, sending and receiving emails,
Communicating with colleagues/friends
With the availability of the Internet at the station, staff respondents said they use the Internet for “sending and receiving photos, receiving programmes.
2. Time spent on using Internet
Out of the seven respondents, only one indicated said they spend more than 2 hours on the Internet daily. See table 2 below.
Hours on the Internet
Less/hr To 2 To 3 To 4 To 5 6 & More
PC 1 1 11111
Internet 111111 1
3. Comfort using the Internet
All of the respondents said they like using the Internet because it is easy and good for effective communication.
“I think the Internet is useful in so many things and I salute whoever came up with it”
“It's fantastic, the easiest and fastest way of communication, but also one of the most effective source of information.”
Broadband Internet started being available at Trans World Radio in January 2006. Before that, the station relied on a dial-up which mostly served for email communication.
4. Knowledge Need Area.
Probably here lies the biggest challenge to the respondents at Trans World Radio. Respondents listed the following as areas of need that need attention:
Someone indicated that they need help in “Accessing various educational programmes.”
“Blogging, developing a website, putting permanent particulars on emails, free phone calls, downloading music.”
It appears some respondents need help in accessing and knowing the right material for use on line. One respondent wanted to know how to access “various programmes with several informative info”
Searching for such material appears to be an area that needs more help.
5. Unique place of the Internet
Respondents underscored the critical and strategic place Internet is playing in their work. The following are some of the statements highlighted and related to the unique place of the Internet:
“The same as having no computer at hand.”
“My life’s perspectives are broadened by it, and I probably wouldn’t know much about many things had it not been for the Internet. Whether it’s on getting creative children’s stories or information about issues of HIV/AIDS, all this, Internet is able to provide.”
“Not very different, I can do without Internet”
“I could be having a lot of difficulties.”
6. Internet and programming
On how the Internet relates to programming, respondents indicated that Internet is a wealth of resource that adds value to their programmes and news. One respondent estimated that Internet contributes about 60 percent to their programming work.
“It provides ideas for my programs and is a source of information for it.”
“It makes me get connected to the world-get weather updates, programmes input like topics to be discussed”.
7. Challenges in use of the Internet
In spite of its usefulness, respondents pointed out that there are several challenges they face as they use the Internet. The following are some of the challenges they listed:
“non-payment to service provider may result in prolonged interruption.”
“Frustrations on not getting the information that I want from it.”
“Our Internet is on and off and sometimes slow”
“Am not conversant with a lot of things in regard to the Internet use.”
by Victor Kaonga
Global Online Course in ICT Journalism July 2007
…………………………………………………………..............………………………….
Introduction/ General background
Trans World Radio is an international gospel broadcasting organization founded in 1954 in the US by an Evangelist Dr Paul Freed. It began work in Malawi in 1985 with recording studios. Trans World Radio Malawi began broadcasting on fm in December 2000 and for the last three years it has expanded its coverage to the rest of Malawi. Operating from Lilongwe, it has production and transmission studios manned by a team of full time, part time and volunteers.
To keep inline with the digital world, Trans World Radio moved to using digital equipment in its studios in July 2000 and has since then been improving its capacity to accomodate growing changes in the broadcasting world.
Objective and Methodology of Survey
While the station uses the computers and Internet, no deliberate effort was made to determine the ICT Needs within the organisation mainly amongst programming staff, hence this is a research effort at Trans World Radio (TWR) Malawi.
The station has a core programming team of ten people who use the Computer and Internet. The aim of this small research was to identify the knowledge gaps amongst programming staff who form the cutting edge of Trans World Radio. The motivation and background to this was that TWR staff have computers and 24-hour internet access yet my feeling is that these are heavily underutilzed. This was meant to be an effort to highlight what hinders staff from making maximum use of these facilities. The survey also aims at trying to discover researchers own understanding of the ICTs and how they interplay with TWR programming.
A questionnaire to fulltime programming staff was used and each was given them one week to respond. Being an internal survey, it was felt one week was enough.
Main Findings
Programming staff as well all broadcasting work heavily relies on computers. However it was discovered that the Internet is heavily underutilized as only about 3 hours per person out the 24 hours each day is used.
It was found out also that programing staff desire to know more about basic search functions and also how to put some of their documents on line.
The respondents highlighted the need for the station to remove all infrastructural and financial challenges to using computers and the Internet.
WAY FORWARD
A copy of this report be sent to the National Director of Trans World Radio Malawi and management members for their information as well as discussion so that the gaps could be filled by their facilitation.
It is hoped that the findings would help Management to organise relevant and proper in-house training to be arranged before end of the year 2007
SURVEY RESULTS
The survey had two sections: Computer and Internet.
A. COMPUTER
1. Uses of the computer
The survey revealed that the computers are crucial tools for work at Trans World Radio. They are used for a range of assignments most of which are for programming purposes.
All the respondents indicated that at least they use the computers for word processing and producing programmes. On programmes, it was indicated that the computers are for typing scripts, recording, editing, “mixing programmes, playing songs and programmes.”
One of them said
“I use the computer for Word processing, storing information (audio and visual), editing text and audio files, calculating, playing games, timing, listening to music. “
Another said,
“I use it to work on some personal things, like writing letters and storing personal information and files”
2. Time Spent working on the computer
Depending on the individual assignments, programming staff seem to spend more time working with computers than anything else at the offices and studios.
The Table below shows how that five out of the respondents spend more than at least five hours each day on the computer.
PC Less/hr To 2 To 3 To 4 To 5 6 & More
1 1 11111
Internet 111111 1
3. Software on the computers
There are a range of software on the computers at Trans World Radio Malawi. The survey revealed that while staff are comfortable with most of the software, there are some software which are less utilized or never at all.
Each respondent simply listed the software that they normally use. The following were mentioned:
Microsoft word, publisher, Excel, Microsoft Power Point, Publisher, Cool Edit, Wave Cart. Media player.
However missing from this list are other programming-related software like the ones for converting and compressing audio files, Simian, dmc Audio Cd input, dB power AMP Music Converter, Core Talk Standard, MPEG to Wave Wrapper and FTP software
It is a known thing however that some staff know how to use these software but with different competencies. However it clear that there are gaps in the competencies to use some software.
4. Knowledge Need Area.
There was a general desire amongst the respondents to know more about various areas of the computers.
All of them did point out they need knowledge in Microsoft Office functions of Excel, Publisher. Some one listed “Microsoft office Info Path, office Access”
One of them indicated that they would love to know more about the audio software “cool edit”
One respondent wished they knew about photo software and Adobe reader. One of them was so expressive, “Yes I wish I knew something about Microsoft Power Point, excel, publisher and other broadcasting softwares.”
5. Unique place of computers
All respondents felt computers have a unique place in their life and work. They all pointed out that they cannot do without computers, adding without them life and work “could have been demanding and time consuming.”
One respondent said
“I don’t even want to think about!!! Computers make life so much easier. I do not need to write out things by hand, I can easily store information; I can even work in much less time than by doing work manual.” One respondent emphasized.
Another underscored the role computers play by referring to technology.
“My work would have been very difficult without a computer since we are living in a world that is advancing in terms of technology and one working without a computer that means a lot of work.”
6. Computers Availability-Does TWR have adequate numbers?
There were mixed responses here as some said Trans World Radio has adequate computers while other said no. However one of them added an angle that probably best explains the reality on the ground.
“Computers alone are not adequate for my work, as we all know they can’t work independently. I would say the computer is the final ‘instrument’ in order to come up with my work.”
The station has eleven digital work stations
7. What challenges do you meet as you use the computers?
Using computers cannot go without challenges. While not ignoring personal knowledge challenges, the respondents generally highlighted the infrastructural gaps at the station contributing to the difficulties.
The following were listed:
Overloading hence slow response.
Frequent power interruptions, and computer jams
One respondent underscored the challenges by stating,
“Since my work depends solely on computers, when ‘something’ happens to the computer (power failure, someone else is using it-which are all normal things) my work is put on hold.”
“Sometimes it stops responding and I don’t know which button to press.”
Sometimes it “refuses to save and you loose all your work.”
One respondent referred to the challenge on adequacy of computers.
“I normally come across are inadequate of computers for my work since there are a number of people who want to use the computer. The other challenge is that most of the computers that we have do not have headphones that one can use as you are editing materials.”
.........…………………………………………………………………….……………..
B. INTERNET
1. Use of the Internet
Respondents indicated that they use the Internet for a range of purposes. The following were listed:
Sourcing information like news, music, pictures, bible facts etc, storing information, research, sending and receiving emails,
Communicating with colleagues/friends
With the availability of the Internet at the station, staff respondents said they use the Internet for “sending and receiving photos, receiving programmes.
2. Time spent on using Internet
Out of the seven respondents, only one indicated said they spend more than 2 hours on the Internet daily. See table 2 below.
Hours on the Internet
Less/hr To 2 To 3 To 4 To 5 6 & More
PC 1 1 11111
Internet 111111 1
3. Comfort using the Internet
All of the respondents said they like using the Internet because it is easy and good for effective communication.
“I think the Internet is useful in so many things and I salute whoever came up with it”
“It's fantastic, the easiest and fastest way of communication, but also one of the most effective source of information.”
Broadband Internet started being available at Trans World Radio in January 2006. Before that, the station relied on a dial-up which mostly served for email communication.
4. Knowledge Need Area.
Probably here lies the biggest challenge to the respondents at Trans World Radio. Respondents listed the following as areas of need that need attention:
Someone indicated that they need help in “Accessing various educational programmes.”
“Blogging, developing a website, putting permanent particulars on emails, free phone calls, downloading music.”
It appears some respondents need help in accessing and knowing the right material for use on line. One respondent wanted to know how to access “various programmes with several informative info”
Searching for such material appears to be an area that needs more help.
5. Unique place of the Internet
Respondents underscored the critical and strategic place Internet is playing in their work. The following are some of the statements highlighted and related to the unique place of the Internet:
“The same as having no computer at hand.”
“My life’s perspectives are broadened by it, and I probably wouldn’t know much about many things had it not been for the Internet. Whether it’s on getting creative children’s stories or information about issues of HIV/AIDS, all this, Internet is able to provide.”
“Not very different, I can do without Internet”
“I could be having a lot of difficulties.”
6. Internet and programming
On how the Internet relates to programming, respondents indicated that Internet is a wealth of resource that adds value to their programmes and news. One respondent estimated that Internet contributes about 60 percent to their programming work.
“It provides ideas for my programs and is a source of information for it.”
“It makes me get connected to the world-get weather updates, programmes input like topics to be discussed”.
7. Challenges in use of the Internet
In spite of its usefulness, respondents pointed out that there are several challenges they face as they use the Internet. The following are some of the challenges they listed:
“non-payment to service provider may result in prolonged interruption.”
“Frustrations on not getting the information that I want from it.”
“Our Internet is on and off and sometimes slow”
“Am not conversant with a lot of things in regard to the Internet use.”
Monday, June 27, 2005
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Welcome to Journet Kenya, a network of Journalists and Media in Kenya working in Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) Space
