Discovery Learning Alliance President Participates in Panel About Role of Television in Improving Education

Aric Noboa, president of Discovery Learning Alliance, participated in a panel discussion organized by the Aga Khan Foundation and Oxford University on the potential of television in improving education outcomes for children.

The panel, entitled “Tools: the television as a stimulus for distributed meaning-making,” was part of a series of lectures held as part of a new research program launched by the Aga Khan Foundation with Oxford University entitled Re-examining the Meaning of Learning in an Uncertain World. The 8-week series brings together education experts to discuss what works in improving education outcomes, and what matters in improving quality education for all.

The panel was moderated by Dr. David Johnson, University Reader in Comparative and International Education (Developing Countries) and Fellow of St. Antony’s College, with additional presenters Dr. Rachel Hinton, Senior Education Adviser, Research and Evidence Division, Department for International Development (DFID); and Matt Reed, CEO of the Aga Khan Foundation, UK.

Johnson referenced a study evaluating a popular television game show in Kyrgyzstan and its impact on reading improvement in students and the role that TV plays in creating knowledge transformation between home and school. Competitors on the show complete reading comprehension tasks, answer open-ended questions, and perform role-play, with a winning team chosen based on answers. He noted that the show created the opportunity for cross-cutting learning opportunities for children, bringing learning into the home through family interaction. The show also appeared to change the cultural dialogue about education and has influenced the culture of learning and teaching within society.

Noboa discussed Discovery Learning Alliance’s programs, which have shown that media, particularly television, have influenced both learning outcomes and the culture of learning in countries where DLA works.

“In the classroom, we bundle teacher professional development and training, video content development and distribution, sustainable technology and community engagement, to make sure that parents and community support the school,” said Noboa.

Media in the classroom has increased children’s interest in school by making classes more fun, leading to attendance and retention improvements. Video lessons also make information “sticky,” said Noboa, enabling students to better remember what they have learned.

Mass media initiatives extend beyond the classroom to influence how communities feel about the importance of education. “Discovery +,” a magazine-style talk show created by Discovery Learning Alliance and produced in Ghana, Kenya and Nigeria, is influencing the way that communities think about and value education for both girls and boys. The shows combine celebrity stories of success with grassroots stories of local individuals to show young people, parents and communities what can be accomplished with a good education and hard work – challenging youth to reach their full potential and encouraging parents to support their children’s education.

“There’s a great responsibility with mass media because you are changing public dialogue,” said Noboa.

Reed mentioned that the Aga Khan Foundation uses its own institutions to test initiatives like those mentioned by Johnson and Noboa that may work in the education sector.

“The culture of learning, the value of going to school, especially the value to sending girls to school, has to be reinforced,” said Reed. “Anything that we can do to get that kind of interaction going is a good thing.”

Hinton discussed the importance of research in evaluating the benefit of education initiatives, the results of which help influence education policy for students.

“Having close relationships with policy makers is critical if we want the evidence we are finding to have an impact,” said Hinton.

“TV is a great medium to change what people are talking about. We’re demonstrating the value of education, rather than preaching at people,” said Noboa.

To watch the video of the panel discussion, visit this page.