Reviews the main points of computer teleconferencing for both public and private conferences. A directory of teleconferencing resources for mainframe computers and microcomputers is included. (MES)

This document is designed as a comprehensive resource and guide for computer-using educators who wish to expand the scope and magnitude of their computer power through telecommunications. The major focus is on the microcomputer's ability to communicate with other microcomputers via telephone lines. Emphasis is placed upon information services and…

Provides an overview of the information technologies that best facilitate and support educational activities, emphasizing areas relevant to distance education. Technologies in the areas of video communications, audiographics, telephone systems, and computer communications are classified and described. (CLB)

Appropriate software can turn the microcomputer from the dumb box into a teaching tool. One resource for finding appropriate software is the organization Edunet. It allows the user to access the mainframe of 18 major universities and has developed a communications network with 130 colleges. It also handles billing, does periodic software…

Describes efforts of Eastern Montana College to provide inservice education to teachers in rural areas using interactive teleconferencing. Suggests lack of this method's interactive visual component be overcome with the use of microcomputer networks. Stresses that these two technologies are readily available and reasonably cost effective. (NEC)

Describes TAXACOM, an online service of the Clinton Herbarium of the Buffalo Museum of Science in New York. Discusses "Flora Online" which is the first electronic serial to receive a number from the Library of Congress and a Latin translation service for biologists needing help composing Latin descriptions of new taxa. (TW)

Intended for trainers who have little knowledge of information technology (IT) and its use in education and training, this information sheet describes IT as consisting of three elements--information handling, communications technology, and information transformation--and explains how these elements contribute to the conveying of information. To…

One of the most recent technological systems to be adopted for use in distance education is computer-mediated communication (CMC), which typically includes computer conferencing, electronic mail, and electronic bulletin boards. The purpose of this review is to provide teachers, researchers and administrators with a practical summary of current…

This digest discusses several aspects of electronic networking, including network functions, implementation, and applications in education. Electronic networking is defined as including the four basic services of electronic mail (E-mail), electronic "bulletin boards," teleconferencing, and online databases, and an overview of these four…

This guide is intended to introduce educators to computer conferencing, a new and often misunderstood communications medium. Written for a trainer/instructor to use with a group of classroom teachers, administrators, or other group of professional educators who are unfamiliar with computer conferencing as a teaching medium, the guide provides the…

Describes Hawaii University High School's use of a telecommunications satellite to link scientists from around the world with students; use of a communications network to link Michigan social studies classrooms for participation in a political science simulation; and the National Diffusion Network's use of a telecommunications satellite for…

Describes various computer conferencing systems and discusses their effectiveness in terms of user acceptance and reactions to the technology. The methodology and findings of an experiment in which graduate students conducted a computer conference using a local area network and produced an electronic journal of the conference proceedings are…

This paper reports on a project started in 1993 to provide preservice teachers with opportunities to engage in an extended conversation with a middle school student using a computer and a modem. The Apple Computer Co. donated the initial equipment to the College of Education at Wayne State University and to the Detroit Open School, Detroit Public…

The state-of-the-art of three technological capabilities (i.e., audio, computer, and video) is discussed and descriptions of some interesting applications in rural and small schools are provided. Audio and audiographic technologies discussed include radio and telephone as well as voice-grade telephone lines which facilitate transmission of visual…

Small and rural schools can use the new technologies of distance education to broaden curricular offerings while facing low student enrollments and increased costs. Courses offered via audio teleconferencing permit live teacher/student interaction and often use videotape as well as two-way audio components. Programs from the University of…