"The purpose of the present paper is to investigate a spectacular mass media phe nomenon that occurred some twenty-five years ago: The case of a highly popular Peruvian telenovela Simplemente Maria ('Simply Mary'), which to this date is considered by many as the most popular television program of al
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l time in Peru and in most countries of Latin America. Our methods of data-collection activities in reconstructing the history of Simplemente Maria are described. We explore the reasons for Simplemente María's audience popularity and its several intended and unintended effects. One of Simplemente María's serendipitous effects was the formulation of the entertainment-education strategy in television." (Abstract)
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"Mass media campaigns can be effective at communicating health information to a mass audience rather inexpensively. Critics of mass media health campaigns often contend, however, that interpersonal communication is more effective at changing behavior. Conversely, interpersonal communication activiti
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es to promote health can be effective at changing behavior, but critics have argued that they have certain limitations such as being expensive and personal (perhaps intrusive), and that they provide nonstandardized information. The present study is an evaluation of a street theater format in Peru that combined the advantages of mass and interpersonal communication to improve family planning knowledge and attitudes. The street theater was effective in decreasing misinformation concerning modern contraceptive methods." (Abstract)
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"Developed by the International Institute of Educational Planning (IIEP) and designed for guided self-instruction, these twelve modules are intended both for planners – especially those working in central units of the Ministry of Education – and for administrators involved in the development of
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textbooks at its various stages. The modules cover financing strategies, costing/programming, design, production, quality control, distribution and use, as well as management of the publishing process. Module 8 provides an introduction to desktop publishing. The modules “propose a methodology which should enable the participants to analyze a situation at any given time and to identify specific solutions to propose to decision-makers.” A Trainer's Guide is included, as is a simulation model (on diskette) for Module 3: Quantifying Needs." (Hans M. Zell, Publishing, Books & Reading in Sub-Saharan Africa, 3d ed. 2008, nr. 2456)
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"In response to the lack of information on gender bias in existing textbooks in the countries of the Commonwealth, the Commonwealth Secretariat commissioned three major studies of primary school textbooks: one in the Caribbean, one in Asia, and one in Africa, the latter undertaken by Wanja Thairu (K
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enya). The major findings of these studies are reported in this volume, which also includes further sections on “Inclusive and gender sensitive language”, “Guidelines for textbook writers and producers”, and “Suggestions for teachers and teacher educators”. The final section is an “Evaluation guide”, which presents a tool for the evaluation of gender bias in textbooks and other learning materials. Also includes a bibliography." (Hans M. Zell, Publishing, Books & Reading in Sub-Saharan Africa, 3d ed. 2008, nr. 2375)
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"For several years there has been an awareness in the Philippines of the need to ensure that investments in natural resources research produce options which farmers may adapt and adopt. The Philippines Council for Agriculture and Resources Research and Development (PCARRD) 1991 Review highlighted th
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e need to address inadequate links between farmers, outreach systems and research. The report underlined the limited number (11 percent) of "mature technologies" which had been adopted by farmers. This case study grew out of an FAO/UNDP communication for development project which aimed at improving the exchange of relevant agricultural information between research, extension networks and farmers in five regions of the Philippines. The field work in each site was started using rapid appraisal techniques. It soon became evident however, that technology and information per se were insufficient elements to propel an increase in agricultural productivity and rural incomes. Other demands were voiced by the communities, which in turn pointed to the need to make services in all sectors more responsive to barangay needs, including credit supply, infrastructure development, marketing, health and education. The farmers' definitions of problems and their underlying causes indicated the limited impact which agricultural information and communication have, if not coordinated, with other services. This explains why agricultural development needs to have a systems perspective. From a systems perspective, it is necessary to identify all the actors involved. In this context it was clear that the Department of Agriculture's extension system is only one of many actors which influence farmers' decision making hence the necessity for systematic mapping of the agricultural information linkages that are important to farmers." (Abstract)
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"The Plan of Operation for Phase I of the Rural Press Project in Kenya was signed between the Government of Kenya and UNESCO in June 1979. This phase continued until 1983, to be succeeded by Phase II from 1984 to 1987. Phase III, the final phase of the project, lasted from 1987 until 1991 [...] Proj
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ect Activities: The project secured the equipment and materials needed, trained the required personnel and established 11 rural newspapers throughout the country. Conclusion: From the evaluations performed and other reports submitted to UNESCO, there is no doubt that rural newspapers are an appropriate information and communication strategy in supporting development processes of rural societies. The overwhelming interest and enthusiastic embrace of this project by the rural communities are testimony to the fact that such newspapers are ideal for information communication for rural development empowerment and furtherance of participatory democracy." (Executive summary)
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