To gain experience in interactive narrow casting systems, a series of experiments/demonstration have been conducted in the use of one-way video two way audio teleconferencing networks for education and training. Three major areas of applications have emerged. These are Distance Education, Training/ Continuing Education, and Training for Rural Development.

Distance Education

In the area of distance education the major users are the Open Universities and several national oiganisations/institutions that offer professional certificate/diploma/degree programmes in a distance education mode. Several experiments have been conducted with the Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU), Consortium for Educational Communication (CEC) and Centre for Management education (CME) of All lndia Management Association. In view of the utility of the system the usage these organisations is now becoming regular. The user organisations have established their receive networks while a common uplink is being shared. The use of this network is expected to grow at a rapid rate in the near future.

Industrial training

In the field of training, this network is finding application in large national organisations like banks and other institutions having large number of offices and branches. Training programmes have been organised by the State Bank of India who has now established its own receive network. It is planning for a full-fledged captive network of its own. Similarly National Thermal Power Corporation has also prepared plans for a captive network for training. Many such institutions are considering setting up networks for their own training programmes.

Rural Development

A very critical area of application from education and development point of view is the use of narrow casting interactive networks for training of field level development functionaries. Every state government and central government department concerned with development and education (like Agriculture, Health, Watershed Management, etc.) has field level functionaries in thousands spread all over the rural hinterland. Regular training and communication with the field staff is difficult but essential. Interactive narrow casting networks are a means of providing regular training to field staff and to monitor the progress of development work and to get feedback from the grassroots levels.