A digest about how higher education can use new telecommunications technologies, especially to reach students in off-campus settings, is presented. Six issues of volume 2 of the newsletter "TELESCAN" include articles on special topics, an update of legal and regulatory issues, and descriptions of national initiatives involving applications of technology-based instruction in higher education. Also included are abstracts and annotated bibliographies based on periodical articles, which are organized under the technology they address: audio, video, or computer technologies, or combined technologies. Specific categories include: radio, telephone, teleconferencing, broadcast television, cable television, videotext/teletext, satellites, videodisc, videotape, computers, and interactive video. Brief reviews of a variety of books, research reports, and occasional papers are also provided, along with ordering information. Finally, information is provided on conferences, workshops, seminars, projects, and other events. Specific contents include: a review of federal funding for telecommunications and education in 1982; two divergent views on the impact of cable technology on social institutions; and the potential of video teleconferencing for education and training. An index to volume 2 is included. (SW)