On the final day of the National Broadcasting Day 2025 celebrations, the School of Media Studies, Garden City University, in collaboration with Journalism Sphere, hosted a thought-provoking session on 25th July 2025 at 3:30 PM, titled “Educational Broadcasting for the Contemporary Learner: Learning Beyond Classrooms.” The keynote speaker was Dr. G. Mythili, Additional Director at the Staff Training and Research Institute, Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU), India.
Dr. Mythili’s session highlighted the transformative role of educational broadcasting in today’s digital and increasingly remote learning environments. Drawing from her experience in distance education and institutional training, she emphasized how broadcasting—especially through platforms like community radio, educational TV, and digital streaming—continues to bridge educational divides across socio-economic and geographic boundaries.
She contextualized the evolution of educational media in India, particularly under the purview of institutions like IGNOU, which have pioneered the use of radio and television to reach millions of learners. Citing examples from both government and private sector initiatives, Dr. Mythili explained how broadcast-based learning complements conventional teaching methods, offering scalable and inclusive educational content.
A major focus of the session was on “blended learning models”, where traditional classroom instruction is enriched by educational broadcasting, interactive media, and online platforms. She also delved into the challenges of ensuring content quality, accessibility for marginalized groups, and the need for multilingual programming to cater to India’s diverse learner base.
The session concluded with an interactive Q&A, where participants engaged Dr. Mythili on issues such as digital equity, the role of public broadcasters in education, and the future of community radio in promoting localized curriculum. Her insights offered students and educators a renewed appreciation for the potential of educational broadcasting in shaping the future of learning.
Purpose of the Seminar Series:
National Broadcasting Day, observed on 23rd July, commemorates the inception of radio broadcasting in India in 1927. To honor this legacy, the School of Media Studies organized a week-long virtual seminar from 21st to 25th July 2025, focusing on the evolution of broadcasting in the digital age.
The series aims to:
• Foster critical reflection on broadcasting technologies and ethics
• Explore innovations such as AI-driven content, multilingual podcasting, and educational broadcasting
• Inspire students to creatively and responsibly engage with emerging media platforms
Dr. Mythili’s session was a compelling conclusion to the seminar series, reinforcing the value of broadcasting as an educational tool and emphasizing its relevance in democratizing learning in contemporary India.