Discussion of the diffusion of information technology focuses on telecommunications in developing countries, television systems, and personal computers. Examples and statistics from the United States and other countries are provided. (eight references) (MES)

Desktop video consists of integrating the processing of the video signal in a microcomputer. This definition implies that desktop video can take multiple forms such as virtual editing or digital video. Desktop video, which does not imply any particular technology, has been approached in different ways in different technical fields. It remains a…

Reviews the development of telecommunications networks and describes current technology being used for online information retrieval. Highlights include use for military and research needs; experiences in Europe versus those in the United States; value-added networks (VANs); local area networks (LANs) and personal computers; and the Integrated…

Describes a survey of microcomputer use for adults with learning disability within The Home Farm Trust, a United Kingdom national organization for people with learning disability that was carried out in light of a planned organization-wide initiative to introduce modern information and communications technology to service users. (Author/LRW)

Presents results from a study conducted at Telenor, a Norwegian telecom operator, regarding the distribution of home personal computers to employees to encourage professional development outside working hours on an individual basis. Findings from a survey suggest that home computers can contribute positively to increasing employee's knowledge…

Discusses use of microcomputer hardware and software, telecommunications methods, and advanced library methods to create a specialized information center's database of literature relating to farm machinery and food processing. Systems and services (electronic messaging, serials control, database creation, cataloging, collections, circulation,…

Describes the development of computer-based information services in New Zealand for education and the social sciences. Highlights include national systems; the influence of personal computer technology on the development of information services; the lack of a national information policy; and the lack of standardized software. (13 references) (LRW)

Discusses changes in politics, industry, consumer buying, and commerce resulting from the technological implementation of information handling and describes the problems and successes of such videotex systems as the British Broadcasting Corporation's CEEFAX and the British Post Office's Prestel. (RBF)

This paper reviews the use of different audio-visual media in distance education, including terrestrial broadcasting, cable satellite, videocassettes, audiocassettes, telephone teaching, viewdata, teletext, microcomputers, and interactive video. Trends in distance education are also summarized and related to trends in media technology development.…

Reports data from 1970, 1978, and 1990 surveys conducted in Norway to determine teacher attitudes toward new information and communication technologies (NICT). The aims of the study were to describe the main trends in changes in teachers' attitudes and find some of the reasons behind the changes. (15 references) (LAE)

In an effort to identify an idealized information technology (IT) system for education and training that could be implemented within a 10- to 15-year period, this paper looks at likely hardware configurations in the home, workplace, and educational institutions; identifies teachers' needs for IT systems that are not currently being met at a price…

The survey reported here of 12,008 students in 93 undergraduate Open University courses was designed to assist in Open University audiovisual policy development and planning and to provide a data base for summative evaluation of audiovisual media use in individual courses. Emphasis was on the first aim, and detailed data were collected only for 17…

As technological change affects current lifestyles and will continue to affect access to information, children should remain a primary consideration, with new technology serving to provide information to them. The growing importance of information is fundamental to recent technological change based on the development of computers and the silicon…

The first of two articles describes the development of a protocol for interlibrary loan communications by the National Library of Canada, and discusses the benefits derived from standards that allow libraries using different communications equipment to exchange messages. The second discusses the impact of the standardized protocol on…

The convergence of computer technology with telecommunications may transform our concept of classroom and school. The PLUTO Network Project, which links several countries in Europe in a collaborative distance learning network, is described. Three phases in the growth of educational uses of computer technologies are outlined. (IAH)