DISTANCE LEARNING PROJECTS AND EDUCATIONAL BROADCASTS ON THE POLISH RADIO AND TV

Poland holds its position among the countries which happened to be pioneers in using radio for distance education purposes. Back in 1925, Polish General Correspondence University («Powszechny Uniwersytet Korespondencyjny») already was providing its students with some lectures over the air. Then, this practice was continued and later involved peasants (S. Staszic Agricultural correspondence courses – «Korespondencyjne Kursy Rolnicze im. Stanisława Staszica») and schoolchildren (since 1931). In 40's-50's of the 20th century, didactic and educational role of the film had attracted more attention. Extensive discussions were being held as regards feature mainstream audience films and documentaries' influence on personality formation as well as fostering of moral and civil qualities of the young people. As it was worldwide, critical (analytical) approach had been developing in the media, which should have helped to enhance viewers' competence as to offered judgments, opinions and facts. Large-scale introduction of television in Poland made possible using this groundwork for creation, in the first place, of popular science broadcast programs, and then – large TV courses: “Television Polytechnic University” («Politechnika Telewizyjna», PTV, 1966–1971), and later – in 70's-80's – Radio & TV Higher School («Radiowo-Telewizyjna Szkoła Średnia», 1976–1989) for schoolchildren, Educational Radio-TV University for teachers («Nauczycielski Uniwersytet Radiowo Telewizyjny», NURT, 1974–1990), Television Agricultural College («Telewizyjne Technikum Rolnicze», TTR, 1973 – 1990). In 1990, broadcasting of educational programs ceased but was recommenced in 2002 when educational TV channel Edusat was being created. Public television has launched 2 educational channels–TVP Kultura and TVP Historia. TV and radio broadcasts are widely used in Poland for promotion of the Polish language and youth familiarization with national culture. Application of the media in the educational institutions' educative process is widespread. Nowadays, Poland supports all forms and methods of distance learning.