Making the Most of Digital Terrestrial Television for Education: Interactive Learning Channels in Response to Interruptions in School Activities

In Senegal, "Telediffusion du Senegal" (TDS) is the national operator managing the collection, multiplexing, transport, and broadcasting of digital audiovisual content. With fixed internet coverage limited to 1.2% [1], this study presents an innovative distance learning solution using Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT), which has a penetration rate exceeding 90%. The approach combines course broadcasting via DTT with a WebRTC platform for real-time interactions between students and teachers. Internet usage is minimized, activated only when students ask questions, significantly reducing connectivity costs. Tests confirm the system's feasibility, enabling real-time communication, screen sharing, and the dissemination of educational materials. For rural areas, solutions such as community access points and Software- Defined Radio (SDR) networks are proposed. Future plans aim to develop an integrated student tracking system to optimize the distance learning experience, making education more accessible and cost-effective in underserved regions.