Discusses distance learning and examines the role of the educational environment as a place with unique characteristics. Highlights include correspondence education, multimedia and tele-learning models of distance education, and the trend to socially isolate the educational experience, thereby changing the nature of schools as public places. (LRW)

Discusses the progress of educational television systems in Latin America. Three types of systems are identified and evaluated, one a direct import of the European or North American models of conventional schools instructional television, and two that have been developed in Latin America. (CHC)

This keynote speech discusses the rise of telecommunicated distance education in the United States. Interactive satellite broadcasts for K-12 instruction are now received by more than 1,000 schools in more than 40 states. Similarly, many states are working with two-way interactive television projects, slow-scan television systems, and…

This handbook is designed to serve the needs of colleges and universities considering the development of distance degree programs. Its objectives are to report on current practices among colleges offering degree programs primarily through telecommunications; to describe current distance degree programs that can be used as models; and to identify…

Describes a study that examined the extent and perception of the use of telecourses at U.S. research universities. Research on telecourse utilization in higher education and on innovation is reviewed; and results are reported indicating that use tends to be related to specific institutional factors such as institutional size and ownership. (86…

The University of Great Falls (UGF), in Montana, operated a distance learning system called Telecom, which combined video-taped instruction with weekly scheduled on-line telephone discussions between class members and instructors. At the site at the Montana State Prison for Men, Deer Lodge, Montana, the primary users were inmates. However,…

Electronic technology can be used to overcome many of the barriers to delivering services to rural schools and it can expand the world of rural gifted students. On-line college and high school sites offering courses are listed. Also listed is a site for tutoring and one offering help for teachers. (Contains references.) (Author/CR)

Presents new forms of information technologies (e-mail, CD-ROM, WWW) that can be used in distance education and lead to "global classrooms." Contrasts these forms with traditional distance education, and compares them with regard to social dimensions, and dimensions of sensorial modality and productivity. Discusses global classrooms from…