Video Beat - LERNING FROM TELEVISON - The Award Winners Are... - December 2006

James Loving - National Radio Text Service - Tuesday December 5, 2006

It all came into focus when while attending a conference on Leadership & Career Development at the University of Cambodia in Phnom Penh, the students didn't have a clue why they were taking certain courses nor what careers they were preparing for..

DOES THE LEARNING TREE INCLUDE TV?

When dealing with Asian culture an observant person can see how different people think in different regions and countries of the world. In part it is largely due to their upbringing and experience or lack thereof of the people in the visited country in dealing with people from outside of their culture and nation.

Television and the Internet Age (as I call it) have contributed to teaching and help overcome the massive communication divide.

It all came into focus when at a conference on Leadership & Career Development at a University of Cambodia in Phnom Penh, the students didn't have a clue why they were taking certain courses nor what careers they were preparing for.

In the United States some universities have counseling in helping a student decide what careers they should prepare for. In doing so all of that counseling is not perfect.

While field producing radio features for an NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association) radio show I interviewed female basketball players at the University of Las Vegas in the early nineties. I was shocked to hear so many of them saying they were advised to take a course in Criminal Justice that would lead them to working as a prison guard.

They had the same thing in common… they were black.

On the other hand many of the white athletes were advised to take Political Science. That education could give them the foundation of becoming the president of the United States.

Yes… its a stretch but that is the reality of what does a college course really prepare one for?

Points in question… why go to college to prepare to be a prison guard? Who is advising you and why?

Some people prefer to hold people back so they can be in the lead and feel superior. Some people never learn how to think for themselves and can't tell the difference.

"My biggest job is to teach them how to think," said Tim Keller then president of DDD (Digital Divide Data) in Phnom Penh, Cambodia in November of 2001.

His mission was to set up and train people to run a company. When that was done he would move on to his next project. His plan was that it would take a year.

After a year went by he wasn't pleased with the progress and stayed on until he felt his mission was accomplished.

Given the lack of exposure to the resources of the outside world it takes time for someone to get it (what you are teaching) but technology is helping bridge that gap.

In Asia the youth are embracing new technology while many elderly leaders of countries don't have a clue what is going on in the world of communications and the Internet.

Asian youths are now taking charge due to the exposure to western programs on television, the Internet and cell phones. They are availing themselves to the outside world and huge amounts of information. The point being…. WHAT KIND OF INFORMATION.

As the saying goes, 'You are what you eat' this is most applicable in today's world.

One businessman in Cambodia recently pointed out how brave the contestants were by getting on stage and showing their talents in an effort to become the winner of the Freshie Boy & Girl contest. I agreed.

In Cambodia young people have made huge strides in education and style during the past five years.

Prior to that young people were wearing sarongs now Levi's are in. Asian youths are embracing fashion, makeup, style and grooming. .

In Thailand we noticed a major change in the mid nineties. That was when the cell phone became available.

Prior to that time it would take a year before a person could obtain a landline at a cost of $1,000.

The use of the cell phone has helped change they way Thai's think and communicate.

Unlike in the past more people have the choice to watch, listen and read content that is positive or negative.

One can spend their time on the Internet looking at porn and listening to hip-hop or rap music talking about their ho's, gangbanging and the use of weapons and drugs.

Unfortunately when you go to an Internet shop and see what websites the previous users visited one could say some spend too much time doing that.

The other alternative is to absorb constructive content on the Internet, television, film and reading matrerial.

Ralph DiSibio the former president of Westinghouse, Parsons and The Washington Group authored a book titled Reel Lessons in Leadership.

The reel he refers to is film. He relates to the lessons he learned from watching movies.

With the rising popularity of reality shows television has a lot to offer.

Many Asian youths have a tremendous interest in business, fashion, beauty and entertainment and that's a good thing. It sure beats the hell out of guns, hand grenades, drugs and murder.

With that in mind we have been reviewing television shows that have some valuable lessons in its content that could be a value for a young Asian student or an adult currently in the job market.

Donald Trump's 'The Apprentice' is our show of choice for those interested in the business world. This show demonstrates human behavior, toughness, integrity (or lack of) as well as the will to win.

Learning about other cultures is easily accessed via television. I've become addicted to The Filipino Channel (TFC) primarily because of the excellent music shows such as ASAP.

Their reality shows Big Brother and Dream Academy lend an insight to behaviors.

Someone questioned, "How can you understand what they say when you don't speak the language?" The simple answer is they do speak some English but enthusiasm, timing; rhythm and harmony are universal without language interpretation.

While working as a DJ on Cambodia radio Cambodian youths that spoke some English called in to request songs. When asked what and who was their favorite English language movie, television show or recording artist most of the time the caller didn't know the actors name or the title of the TV show or film. They could tell you what they enjoyed and could describe what they liked about it.

The point of how can an English speaking person understand what is said on foreign language TV begs the question that if a Cambodian student that has minimal English language skills and has most likely never been beyond the borders of their country can relate to English language entertainment why can't an English speaking person with an education and travel experience understand another cultures entertainment?

It raises the question are slightly educated students in third world countries more intelligent than westerners since they can embrace the outside worlds enterainment offerings and are willing to do it? Think about it.

Can one learn lessons from television? We think so and have prepared a list of shows that have value. TO BE CONTINUED…

CLICK ON LINE

For Internet and hi tech lovers tune in to the BBC's CLICK ON LINE. The half hour show airs at 3:30pm Tuesday afternoons in the Thailand/Cambodia time zone. Check local listings for time time and date in your area.

WORLD'S APART

WORLD'S APART is a good TV show to watch on the AXN channel. It sends an American family to a foreign land to live with indigenous people for 10 days. The family has to adapt to their culture and ways.

This is the perfect show that demonstrates how people can get along.

Note: This show is in reruns and is subject to a limited run. Check your local listings for time and date in your area.

JAY LENO Is (Spot) On

You often hear the phrase SPOT ON meaning you got it right or it's hot. When it comes to comedy often the humor is lost in the translation of language or a cultural misunderstanding.

Jay Leno is recognized as one of America's top comedians. He took over The Tonight Show that Johnny Carson hosted for many decades. They said nobody could replace Carson but Leno certainly has having hosted the show for a decade himself.

To see if Leno is SPOT ON for you the show airs on the CNBC channel Saturday night and Sunday afternoons in the Southeast Asia region. Check your listings.

In Cambodia and Thailand it is televised at 9pm Saturday and 3pm Sunday. CHECK IT OUT.

© Copyright: National Radio. Any use of these materials, whole or in part, is prohibited unless authorized in writing by National Radio. Contact: nationalradio@yahoo.com All rights reserved