Describes services offered by the Center for Electronic Records of the National Archives and Records Administration and discusses electronic communication tools used in its reference services program, including electronic mailing lists, electronic mail, and online descriptive materials and finding aids. Provides an overview of constituency groups…

Discusses local area networking and global telecommunications. Examines the advantages of networked systems; the importance of connecting classrooms to the Internet or commercial online systems; and how World Wide Web, hypermedia, and the development of browsing software may revolutionize teaching and learning. Terminology and tools used in…

A statewide telecommunications network in New Mexico links research and educational institutions, government agencies, businesses, and public interest groups. Development of the system began a decade ago, primarily to promote economic development. New information services are added monthly, and use is expanding rapidly. Some other states have…

Describes fiber optic technology, explains its use in education and commercial settings, and recommends regulations and legislation that will speed its use to create broadband information networks. Topics discussed include distance learning; interactive video; costs; and the roles of policy makers, lawmakers, public advocacy groups, and consumers.…

Describes a pilot study to help develop instruments appropriate for a full-scale assessment of the Blacksburg, Virginia, community network. A brief overview of the methods employed in the pilot evaluation is given. The results of focus group interviews, lessons learned, and future plans are presented. The 17-item focus group questionnaire is…

Discussion of virtual reference services focuses on software that is currently available and further developments that are needed. Topics include co-browsing and collaboration capabilities; communications technology, including chat technology and voice over Internet protocol (VoIP); networked reference services; and online reference collections…

Information and communications technology (ICT) pervades most aspects of contemporary civilization and will undoubtedly influence the near future to an even greater extent by "significantly enhancing and altering human activity, and enabling people to live, work and think in ways that most people never thought possible." Wireless…

The concept of convergence has evolved significantly during recent years. Today, "convergence" refers to the integration of the communications and computing resources and services that seamlessly traverse multiple infrastructures and deliver content to multiple platforms or appliances. Convergence is real. Those in higher education, and especially…

A podcast is audio or visual content that is automatically delivered over a network via free subscription. The advantage podcasts have over traditional oral reports is that students can edit and revise until what they say and how they say it is perfected. iLife applications are ideal for creating podcasts and other digital projects because of…

This case study investigated educators as they learned about, embraced, and attempted to implement information technologies. It describes the systems that foster continuing use and the implementation successes and difficulties. This was accomplished by documenting one group of educators enrolled in an intensive graduate course about educational…

The Connecticut State Legislature enacted telecommunications legislation on July 1, 1994 that will, among other things, enhance distance education in the state. The legislation requires that the state's regulatory utility agency, the Department of Public Utility Control (DPUC) begin dismantling the monopolistic configuration of the existing local…

An interconnection of computer networks, telecommunications services, and applications, the National Information Infrastructure (NII) can open up new vistas and profoundly change much of American life. This report explores some of the opportunities and obstacles to the use of the NII by people and organizations. The goal is to express how…

In this paper, the fundamental characteristics and capabilities of ATM (Asynchronous Transfer Mode) networks in a distance learning environment are examined. Current and projected ATM applications are described, and issues and challenges associated with developing ATM networking solutions for instructional delivery are explored. Other topics…

This report summarizes the findings and presents data from a nationwide survey conducted by the Texas Education Network (TENET) from July 25 to September 30, 1994. In response to a TENET questionnaire, representatives from 46 of the 50 states, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs reported on the status of telecommunications networks…

This resource guide, prepared by the California Technology Project Distance Learning Task Force, is designed to introduce the K-12 educator to the rapidly growing field of distance education, i.e., using technology to link students to teachers. It is argued that this guide offers the state of California the chance to use its educational resources…