Student radio as an innovative learning strategy

Abstract

Use of mass media as learning spaces has not been studied at all, especially in Costa Rican context. Particularly, radio has been used more as an object of study than a learning strategy. This article analyses the role of student radio as a learning strategy over a three-year period (2012-2014). A quantitative methodological approach was used as well as a non–experimental cross-sectional sequential exploratory design. The field work was carried out in two phases: an inventory of student radio stations in the Greater Metropolitan Area of Costa Rica and a Student Radio Production Workshop. For the inventory, a survey was applied to 405 secondary schools, to gather information from schools and student radio stations. The workshop was performed in two urban academic schools, with the participation of 22 teenagers from 7th to 12th grade, to whom self- and co-assessment ratings instruments were applied. Thirteen student radio experiences were found in the same number of schools, although most of them had closed at the end of the study. After the learning activity and the application of instruments, the findings indicates that participants had a very good overall performance of the learning strategy. Results reveals that this strategy could favor the strengthening of values, social inclusion and prevention of social problems in young people, as well as the development of generic competences that can provide important inputs for their future professional.