New information technology is viewed as analogous to a railway network that serves many, in diverse areas, and leads users to new frontiers. It is suggested that higher education can contribute to this system by developing useful new applications, providing guidelines for appropriate "passenger" behavior, and enhancing quality. (MSE)

Looks back at the innovations/tribulations that went into the making of Merit Network, Inc., Michigan's pioneering Internet provider. Today, Merit is serving as the GigaPoP organization for its two current Internet2 members, Michigan State University and University of Michigan, and will provision a vBNS connection for Wayne State University.…

This article describes the development at Case Western Reserve University of an all-fiber optic communications network linking 7,300 outlets (faculty offices, student residences, classrooms, libraries, and laboratories) with computer data, television, audio, facsimile, and image information services. (Author/DB)

Internet II, a higher-speed information network under development, is supported by almost 100 colleges and universities. It would let researchers develop advanced tools, but would be costly for institutions. A similar but more limited project, the Very High Speed Backbone Network Service (VBNS), has also garnered college support. Technical,…

This paper describes early issues, events, and efforts in New Hampshire to develop a telecommunications base for students and educators. Six "dreams" of possible telecommunications programs are briefly described, some facts about New Hampshire are provided, and some problems to be addressed are considered. The beginnings of the New…

As Internet 2 takes shape, the university administrators and researchers behind it are taking care to address the political and economic challenges experienced by the original Internet. The new, privatized system will be faster and more powerful, but some fear privatization has shifted the balance of power toward profit-making instead of meeting…

Issues involved in establishing and supporting distance education in developing countries are explored, focusing on the role of teleconferencing in support of distance learners. One of the distinctive features of an effective distance education system is the quality of its learner support services. The development of an efficient infrastructure…

This document is the annual report prepared by the Interagency Working Group on Information Technology Research and Development of the National Science and Technology Council. This report is a Supplement to the President's fiscal year (FY) 2002 Budget that describes the Federal Networking and Information Technology Research and Development (NITRD)…

In this report, the National Information Infrastructure (NII) services issue is addressed, and activities to advance the development of NII services are recommended. The NII is envisioned to grow into a seamless web of communications networks, computers, databases, and consumer electronics that will put vast amounts of information at users'…

Examines the "reality behind the hype" surrounding the Internet. Discusses its early development; growth and present state; and key applications, including e-mail, voice/video telephony, integrated messaging, electronic commerce, the World Wide Web, and Web commerce, Intranet, Extranet; education and training; security; ownership; and…

Explores universities involved with training in telemedicine and medical care provided through technology (International Telemedicine Center Inc. www.int-telemedicine.com/univ.html). Discusses the market for telemedicine, companies and university medical centers involved in its development, costs and savings to health care system, barriers to the…

The House Armed Services Committee asked the GAO (General Accounting Office) to examine the HPCC (High Performance Computing and Communications) program in terms of: (1) the effectiveness of the program's management structure in setting goals and measuring progress, and (2) how extensively private industry has been involved in the planning and…

This plan brings common purpose and effective statewide coordination to video telecommunications activities in Washington State. The Department of Information Services (DIS) is designated the lead agency in the statewide coordination of video telecommunications through its enabling legislation. The plan outlines a structure to link and measure…

Most midwestern states have experimented with some type of interactive video for educational purposes, but Nebraska has developed a statewide system to transmit educational programs, mainly via satellite telecommunications. Other states may find Nebraska's experiences helpful in considering their own educational telecommunications plans.…

This report is the product of a cooperative planning effort by a group of leaders in higher education across Missouri to summarize the available resources for distance education in the state and offer recommendations for increased access. After an introduction, a description of the planning process, and a statement of the group's guiding…