Media Options

From SPARK

The following media options can be used for applications that help achieve overall language program goals of Bible study, community development, discipleship, evangelism, literacy, Scripture use, and worship.

Audio

Audio Format Strengths Limitations General Information

• Can supplement other media
• Compact and portable
• Non-confronting
• Tailor-made programs
• Controlled by listener
• A versatile teaching medium
• Suitable for individual or group listening
• Stimulates individual imagination
• Overcomes literacy barriers
• Equipment generally easy to operate
• Tone of voice can convey feelings, moods, doubts, interest, etc.
• Sensitive to environmental conditions
• Requires production equipment and expertise
• Requires equipment maintenance
• Limited feedback and no control over interpretation
• Requires a listening device
• Fixed rate of information flow
• Difficult to communicate complex issues

Strengths Limitations Audio Cassettes

• Can be relatively inexpensive
• Easy to produce locally
• Convenient replay
• Tapes can be recycled/reused
• Can be used with handcrank player
• Quite sensitive to environmental conditions
• Tapes can be easily erased
• Older technology

Strengths Limitations CDs

• Relatively inexpensive
• Can be locally produced
• Convenient replay
• Popular, new medium
• Cannot be erased with playback-only system
• Can be easily scratched
• Not available everywhere

Strengths Limitations Digital Audio Players

• Convenient replay and scrolling through the message
• Can come with rechargeable batteries with a built-in solar panel
• Maintenance free (no moving parts)
• Water resistant
• Message is integrated with player so no additional equipment is needed
• Product specific; designed to play only what is recorded
  • Requires sophisticated equipment to store the information onto the player
• The message is secure since it is embedded on a microchip
• Versatile audio message lengths
  • A single player can hold short messages as well as the entire Scriptures
• Cannot easily be produced locally
• Not easily recycled
• May be expensive

Strengths Limitations Radio Broadcasts

• Can be used with solar-powered or handcrank units
• Popular
• Can cover a broad or narrow geographical area
• Cross barriers (geographical, political, religious)
• Variety of program options
• Can be live or pre-recorded
• May give credibility to the message
• Encourage program series
• Require programming
• Listening is entirely dependent on when the program is aired
• Aimed at mass audiences
• Encourage audience passivity

Visual

Strengths limitations and general information about visuals

• Visuals are Popular.
• Visuals are suitable for individual or group viewing.
• Visuals may have a higher impact with a audio/visual mix.
• Some visuals require production equipment and expertise.
• Some visuals require equipment maintenance.
• Visuals require picture literacy.
• Some visuals may require a listening/viewing device

Strengths and limitations of DV and VC discs.

• Discs are usually convenient to replay.
• Discs are a popular new medium.
• Discs can not be erased with playback only systems.
• Some discs have a permanent sequence.
• Discs can be easily scratched.
• They are not available everywhere.
• Discs use different playback formats for different areas in the world.

Strengths Limitations Film (reel-to-reel)

• Permanent sequence
• Requires expensive, high-maintenance equipment
• Expensive to produce
• Medium is outdated

Strengths Limitations Filmstrips

• Battery-powered unit available
• Permanent sequence
• Previously displayed visuals can be easily reviewed
• Facilitate live storytelling
• Quite sensitive to environmental conditions
• Require a dark environment for viewing
• Limited selection of commercial filmstrips

Strengths Limitations Presentations

• Popular with computer users
• Adjustable sequence and content
• Previously displayed visuals can be easily reviewed
• Presentation slides can be distributed as other media formats
  • Print the individual presentation slides for use in booklets, flipcharts, etc.
  • Convert the presentation to video
• Can incorporate other media into the presentation
• Can easily incorporate local visuals and art
• Easier to change the language than with other media
• Require the purchase of the necessary computer equipment and software to produce and view the presentation
• Require an individual(s) with computer skills to produce and show the presentation

Strengths Limitations Slides

• Flexible sequence
• Previously displayed visuals can be easily reviewed.
• Can use the slides to create filmstrips.
• Easily update the presentation, as slides can be rearranged, added, or deleted.
• Quite sensitive to environmental conditions.
• Require commercial processing (or digital equipment).
• Slides could easily be scratched or bent, making them unusable.
• Require a dark environment for display
• Need oral explanation.
• Individual slides make it easy to: - Mix up slides in a presentation. - Display the image backwards. - Display the image upside down
• Require slide film

Strengths Limitations Television Broadcasts

• Popular
• Cover a broad or narrow geographical area
• Cross barriers (geographical, political, religious)
• Variety of program options
• Can be live or pre-recorded
• Encourage program series
• May give credibility to the message
• Require programming
• Viewing is entirely dependent on when the program is aired
• Aimed at mass audiences
• Encourage audience passivity
• Often broadcast only in the major languages

Strengths Limitations Videocassettes

• Can be relatively inexpensive
• Videotapes can be recycled/reused
• Popular
• Permanent sequence
• Encourage program series
• Quite sensitive to environmental conditions
• Tapes can be easily erased

Live

Strengths Limitations General Information

• Presentations can be flexible to fit the audience
• Adaptable to varying group size
• Can incorporate local talent and art forms
• Personal contact
• Each event is unique
• May need a stage and props
• Medium itself (or style of medium) may carry a cultural/spiritual message different from intended message
• Message may change within presentations
• Message susceptible to change due to situational factors—distractions, audience responses, lose place, etc.

Strengths Limitations Dance (To Be Developed)

Strengths Limitations Drama (To Be Developed)

Strengths Limitations Music (To Be Developed)

Strengths Limitations Puppetry

• Can be used with all age groups
• Tends to hold the audience’s attention
• Provides for interaction with the audience
• Requires little talent when using pre-recorded material
• Not every puppet will be suitable for every audience
• Relatively inexpensive
• For groups or individuals
• Can incorporate local art
• Can stimulate visual learning methods
• Portable
• Flexible teaching tools
• Difficult to obtain feedback except in live presentations
• Require visual literacy
• Need oral or printed explanation
• Require training for good quality productions

Print

Strengths Limitations Calendars/ Flipcharts

• No equipment needed
• Keep their sequence
• Simple form for learning
• Less durable
• Limited group viewing
• Lower interest than other media

Strengths Limitations Flashcards

• Easy to produce
• No equipment needed
• Can change sequence
• Good for repetitive learning
• Less durable
• Limited group size
• Not as interesting
• Can get out of sequence

Strengths Limitations Overhead Transparencies

• Can change sequence
• Relatively simple to create
• Can be computer generated
• Require equipment
• May not be available everywhere
• Require power

Strengths Limitations Photos/Posters

• Popular
• Suit home use
• Easy to handle
• More sensitive to the environment or conditions
• Require production equipment
• Less durable
• Limited content

Strengths Limitations Shell Books

• No equipment needed
• Keeps its sequence
• Simple form for learning
• Require equipment to produce and print
• Less durable
• Limited group viewing
• Lower interest than other media.