Corbett and Radio at the University of Alberta Extension

Authors

  • Diane Mirth University of Alberta

Abstract

Much of what has been written about Edward Annand Corbett concentrates on his role as the first national director of the Canadian Association for Adult Education (CAAE). This article deals with an earlier period of Corbett's career, at the Department of Extension at the University of Alberta (U of A) during the 1920s and early 1930s. It introduces a seldom mentioned or acknowledged aspect of Corbett's legacy to the development of the field of Canadian adult education and describes his very significant contribution to the advancement of a powerful new medium for the delivery of adult education, that of radio. After initial personal hesitation as well as some political and financial restraints, in his hands radio became an important tool for the enrichment of the quality of life of many Canadians, especially those isolated by distance and weather in rural Alberta. Corbett came to see and to understand that in radio there was a unique opportunity for every Albertan to have access to knowledge, which he believed to be an expression of the democratic ideal, as well as being an effective means of fulfilling the mandate of the university and of extension. As director of extension, Corbett expanded radio programs to deliver quality education to Albertans.

Résumé

Parmi les nombreux écrits consacrés à Edward Annand Corbett, la plupart traitent de son rôle en tant que premier directeur national de la Canadian Association for Adult Education (CAAE). Le présent article couvre une période plus ancienne dans la carrière de Corbett, alors qu'il oeuvrait au sein du département d'Extension de l'Université d'Alberta durant les années vingt et trente. On y trouvera des renseignements sur un aspect méconnu de sa contribution à l'éducation des adultes, notamment pour ce qui est de l'utilisation d'un puissant nouveau média à l'époque: la radio. En dépit de quelques hésitations de départ, et malgré certaines difficultes d'ordre financier et politique, la radio prit entre les mains de Corbett une importance cruciale pour la qualité de vie de nombreux canadiens, particulièrement en milieu rural où la rigueur du climat albertain contraignait la population à l'isolement. Corbett a compris que la radio offrait à tous les Albertains la possibilité d'accéder au savoir, ce qui représentait à la fois une progression vers l'idéal démocratique, et une occasion pour l'Université de remplir son mandat communautaire. Dans ses fonctions de directeur du service d'Extension, Corbett a guide l'essor des programmes radiophoniques communautaires, et offert aux Albertains l'accès à une éducation de qualité.

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Published

1996-05-01

How to Cite

Mirth, D. (1996). Corbett and Radio at the University of Alberta Extension. Canadian Journal for the Study of Adult Education, 10(1), 47–66. Retrieved from https://cjsae.library.dal.ca/cjsae/article/view/2080

Issue

Vol. 10 No. 1 (1996)

Section

Articles

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