The TELECAN project: tele-education in the Canary Islands

Abstract

On the occasion of the celebration of the Seminar on Distance Education and Telecommunication Means in 1977, a project of teleeducation was launched in the Canary Islands called TELECAN; as objetive, being the teaching of languages in non-conventional form was established. The TELECAN project cover the Canarian Archipelago and was potentially directed to all its inhabitants. However, in the analysis of the population, it was manifested that a program with these characteristics catered directly the needs of three groups: workers, professors and the elementary school students (EGB). The registration did not have limitations of any type; neither economic -the courses were free of chargenor personal or social and not even curriculars. Every person was susceptible to receive the language instruction chosen by himself. The press and the radio were employed in a massive form. At first, the lessons were published and afterwards were broadcasted by different radio stations. The courses were based on three basic moments: the moment of the audio-visual reception in the homes: the permanent orientation by means of a consultation by telephone and the evaluation at distance. Once the course is over, and to evaluate and certify the level attained, the student has to pass a presential evaluation. The TELECAN Project gave classes of German, French and English utilizing courses of recognized prestige and efflciency. The whole project was patterned to enable a correct expression of the language, be it in comprehension as well as oral and written expression. The TELECAN had a duration of one academic year respecting the school calendar. The evaluation of the project although it is still in the elaboration process, promises to be of maximum satisfaction; there were no opposing reactions manifested with respect to the project and the number of registrations were significantly high. The Hilo Cultural Project in the Canary Islands intend to make use of the "Hilo Musical" in the elementary schools to evaluate the educational possibilities of this means such as in the field of social sciences and musical education. The collective receptors of this project are the students of foreign languages and the elementary teachers as well as parents. This last transform the Teaching Center into an authentic socio-cultural animator within the frame of permanent education.