This study was undertaken for the purpose of investigating the use of telecommunications for extension courses in teacher education programs. Specific inquiry was focused on two areas: current use (Part I) and equipment/delivery (Part II). Part I has focus on cost per student, types of extension courses, effect of geographic location, and success…

Reports on the use of new instructional technologies in seven small community colleges, addressing such issues as the underlying philosophies toward the use of instructional technology in the classroom, use of new methods of delivering instruction outside the classroom, and the use of technology in the learning resource center. (AYC)

This series of five articles discusses minimizing computer failure; a national software clearinghouse for educational programs; Apple Software with a Purpose; a student-run word processing center at Jefferson College in Missouri; Wisconsin Technical School of the Air; vocational courses delivered by broadcast and cable television; and the delivery…

This study assessed educational needs and interests of West Virginia adults related to the proposed extension of distance education through Project Breakthrough. Project Breakthrough will broadcast college credit telecourse via satellite into more than 50,000 home satellite receivers. Results show an overall positive attitude toward additional…

Describes five telecommunications delivery systems offered or planned by Rio Salado Community College: cassette copies of radio/television courses in public libraries; "live" cable television; print-based correspondence courses; audio teleconferencing; and slow-scan video. Underscores the importance of administrative support, faculty…

The president of the University of Mid-America describes the past growth and future direction of this seven-state consortium which produces and distributes multimedia courses and provides alternative learning opportunities to underserved adult learners. (SK)

John Wood Community College (JWCC) serves a district population of approximately 90,000 in a predominantly rural section of west-central Illinois. In an effort to address the needs of the rural long-distance learner, JWCC has implemented a variety of instructional delivery techniques. Since its inception, JWCC has contracted with other area…

Intended as a review of the origins and present status of television courses as a form of higher education for adults, this sourcebook addresses the following questions: What is a telecourse? What are the legal and philosophical bases that support the telecourse concept? Where do telecourses fit in the college or university structure? Who produces…

In January 1981, a committee at Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC) began work to design a system to deliver non-group instruction to homes, businesses, and other off-campus sites. The committee first established criteria for the program to ensure that the Extended Learning System (ELS) would be compatible with and complementary to other…

Reviews Greenville Technical College's plans for a Technical Resource Center (TRC), incorporating library and instructional delivery functions. Discusses plans regarding library services; Computer Valley (an integrated learning lab and academic computing center); the Greenville Education Network (an Instructional Television Fixed Service based…

The same introductory business course was presented by Lakeland Community College as a telecourse, broadcast during the day and evening; as a day course on campus; and as an evening course off campus. Students in all three classes were surveyed to determine their characteristics and attitudes toward the course. Telecourse students were…

Describes the interorganizational collaboration that contributed to the development and satellite-mediated delivery of university courses to a highly dispersed, rural population. The project confirms that collaboration, within the context of adopting innovative procedures, is fraught with potential pitfalls. There are practical strategies that can…

This report chronicles the six-year growth (1972-1978) of Dallas County Community College District's (DCCCD) Instructional Television program (ITV), explaining the design, production, implementation, components, and evaluation of the telecourses within the program. It also includes discussions of local and national distribution of courses,…

Chattanooga State Technical Community College (CSTCC), in Tennessee, offers distance learning courses through Instructional Television Fixed Service (ITFS) broadcast, through broadcasts of a local public television affiliate station, and through video cassette checkout/mailout. By the end of fiscal year 1991-92, over 2,500 students had enrolled in…

Several of the problems typically associated with efforts to extend higher education opportunities to rural communities--including small class size, lack of qualified instructors, and maintenance of quality standards--are successfully addressed by an audio conference network. Students in remote locations can participate in classes offered through…