Students'Views on Study at the Radio and Television Universities in China: an investigation in one local centre

This article reports the views of students in a local centre of the Radio and Television University in China (RTVU). As part of a trial of new distance-learning material students in the local centre were interviewed in groups and some answered a questionnaire. They gave their views on studying, including the role of media, how each medium should be designed, and self-study. The investigation was carried out by the RTVU staff with the author mainly acting as an observer. Although there are problems with bias the views represent a unique opportunity to compare them with the ideas on the use of media and student learning familiar in the West.
The author would like to acknowledge the assistance of the staff and students of the RTVUs and in particular Professor Wang Zunhua and Yen Xiaoyen who were largely responsible for conducting the investigation.