Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor David Iurescia for sharing the following article about one of my favorite topics, which we’ve covered in the past.
Long before Zoom classrooms or remote-learning platforms existed, Australia was already teaching across the outback via radio. This article from Education Daily explores how the School of the Air began in 1951 using shortwave radio and evolved into one of the world’s most advanced distance education systems—connecting students across half a million square miles.
It’s a brilliant look at how necessity inspired real innovation in broadcasting and education.
I read the whole thing: a great informative article.
We had it in NZ as well…my job as [primary] school nerd was to tune in the HF radio, and patch it through to the relevant classrooms from the principals office. Funnily enough I always found a reason to get there early and leave a little later– i had to wait for the valves to warm up and cool down afterwards apparently.
Alice Springs is on the tourist route and gets all the publicity. Australia is a huge area.
The original https://www.side.wa.edu.au/about/welcome/history.html
WA Schools of the air: Carnarvon, Kalgoorlie, Derby, Meekatharra and Port Hedland.
SA https://www.openaccess.edu.au/sota/about-school-of-the-air
NT https://nt.gov.au/learning/primary-and-secondary-students/distance-and-online-learning
Qld https://education.qld.gov.au/schools-educators/distance-education
NSW https://education.nsw.gov.au/teaching-and-learning/curriculum/rural-and-distance-education/distance-education.
None now use HF radio, but use satellite internet