Audio Cassette

From SPARK

An audio cassette to some might seem more personal than a printed page because a human voice, not a page, conveys the words. A good audio script, spoken in a warm, enthusiastic, and reasoning way, has the potential of drawing the listening audience into a personal response.

The Rendille cassette scripts start with a greeting that is so natural and personal that the listeners verbally return the greeting! This prepares the audience for further interaction with the speaker.

In addition to being more personal than a printed page, audio cassettes also have the following characteristics:

Popularity

Audio cassettes and players are readily available even in developing countries. There is an amazing number of audio cassettes and players in the most remote areas. Because of the high prestige connected with ownership, even very poor villagers make the necessary economic sacrifices to own their own cassette players.

However, their popularity is decreasing. People may choose a digital audio device rather than an audio cassette as technology advances and digital audio players become less expensive.

Require no literacy skills

Listening audiences are not limited to a select few. Old and young alike profit from self-instructional programs. Both the educated and uneducated benefit from information shared in an audio program. This eliminates the feeling of being second-class citizens on the part of those who cannot read and write^[1]

Consider incorporating audio cassettes into a planned media program that will complement, enhance, and reinforce the message of storybooks, Scripture readings, dramas, video programs, etc. Audio cassettes can be used for narration with filmstrips and/or slides, used in radio programs intended for broadcast, and used with read-along books, shell books, storybooks, songbooks, and live drama.

Can be used in both play-back and recording equipment.

Considerations

See About Audio Media for considerations when using audio.

• Training nationals in equipment use and maintenance may be needed. Poor maintenance of the audio cassette players will diminish their usefulness.
• Consider that people can make changes to or write over the content of audio cassettes.
• Consideration needs to be given to the duplication of the audio cassettes:
• Can the duplication be done locally? Are blank audio cassettes available locally? If so, what is the price and quality in comparison to ordering them from another source?
• Who will do the duplication?
• What will the duplication cost?

Consideration needs to be given to the distribution of the audio cassettes:

• How will the tapes be distributed?
• Who will distribute the tapes?
• How much will it cost to purchase the audio cassette?
• Requires a reliable power source. (battery or electricity)
• Consider hand crank players as an option.