The four projects described here, a selection of those funded by the Annenberg/CPB Project, focus on the use of telecommunication and information technologies as tools for teaching in higher education. All are written by people directly involved in the projects described. The introductory section, "Overview: Issues in Educational…

A study examined 49 students' use of distance education (DE) technology in a telecommunications course about the social and economic impacts of information technology. The originating site was a specially equipped television studio on the home campus. Aside from study guide readings, students wrote reaction journals and a paper about an…

This paper attempts to put telecommunications into a realistic perspective, provide an overview of selected telecommunication technologies, and examine the impact of telecommunication technologies on nursing education and the preparation of graduates for the 21st century. Trends in nursing practice are outlined in terms of their impact on nursing…

This publication provides both a review of the different technology modes that may be used for distance education and a set of guidelines for planning and developing conceptual designs for educational facilities capable of supporting technologically enhanced educational delivery systems in a variety of settings. The Distance Learning in Small…

The use of telecommunications to enhance local educational opportunities, especially in science and mathematics, was the subject of two hearings before a Senate committee. Eleven persons made presentations and/or submitted written statements at the first hearing: (1) Joseph Duffey, University of Massachusetts at Amherst; (2) Andy Turner,…

This digest reviews the promise and drawbacks of computerized learning programs and telecommunication technologies for small rural schools. A critical feature of programmed learning packages can be their stand-alone feature. To the extent that such programs do not require the presence or involvement of a trained on-site teacher, they make it…

Describes efforts underway at Pennsylvania State University to link branch campuses using compressed videoconferencing. Discusses the plans for using this technology for a variety of administrative and instructional purposes. Outlines the costs associated with developing such a system. (TW)

The final evaluation of BESTNET (the Binational English and Spanish Telecommunications Network) is described. Undertaken as a collaborative effort to experiment with new telecommunications media in distance education and to attract Hispanic students into the science and engineering fields, the project involved the development of a number of…

Presents an overview of computer use in education and other realms. Concludes that the true computer revolution in education may not be the use of computer assisted instruction but rather the combining of computers with other electronic devices for the advent of widespread decentralized education. (Author/DC)

Provides some cursory guidance on the mechanics of establishing and instructing in a virtual classroom. Briefly discusses the history and central issues of distance education, describes how to teach an online virtual seminar, and offers recommendations for future courses. Discusses such issues as instructor availability, directing discussions,…

Examines various issues related to language-teaching via interactive television, focusing on experiences using interactive television in Australian schools. Discusses how interactive television works, how such a classroom differs from normal classrooms, the teacher's role, the structure of a typical lesson, and successful and unsuccessful teaching…

In December 1990, in an effort to identify the telecommunications and electronic technologies that will be used in the 1990s for distance learning programs at postsecondary institutions, questionnaires were sent to the chief executive officers of all two-year institutions nationwide, and to a random sample of 750 four-year baccalaureat…

Distance education (DE) is no longer an option that institutions of higher education might consider, but has become a reality that must be intelligently constructed and managed with dwindling resources. In California, DE has been recommended as a solution to deal with the state's postsecondary financial crisis. As the University of California and…

Discusses instruction that occurs at a point distant from the location of the learner(s) with an interactive video and/or visual component. Stresses the need for developing such instructional capabilities for schools, businesses, and industries. Describes audio-graphic teleconferencing, microwave transmission, instructional television fixed…

A distance learning program implemented in 1987-88 to teach Health Care Science was modified to include the clinical experience appropriate for Health Occupations I during 1988-89. The teaching team included an instructional coordinator/teacher and four regional clinical coordinators. A total of 19 juniors and seniors at 7 rural school districts…