International Standards for Educational and Training Equipment

Abstract

Equipment is to non-print or audiovisual educational and training materials what literacy or the ability to read is to print materials. One must be able to read in order to unlock the information stored in the non-print materials. Media enthusiasts commonly claim that verbal literacy is not required in order to understand the messages in non-print materials, so that they can be used effectively with illiterate or semi-literate audiences. This is a major advantage for non-print media. On the other hand, a variety of expensive, complex and non-standardised equipment is as great a hindrance to the use of non-print media as the lack of language facility is to the use of print materials.