Telecommunications Relay Service provides full telephone accessibility to people who are deaf, hard of hearing, deaf-blind, or speech-disabled. Specially trained Communication Assistants (CAs) serve as intermediaries, relaying conversations between hearing persons and persons using a text telephone device (TTY). Relay Service is available 24 hours…

This paper aims at investigating the use of mass media in distance education in Nigeria with a view to making suggestions for their effective use during the 21st century. Distance education programmes, especially those of the Universities of Ibadan and Lagos are examined. These two institutions made bold and commendable efforts. However, while the…

The traditional learning paradigm involving face-to-face interaction with students is shifting to highly data-intensive electronic learning with the advances in Information and Communication Technology. An important component of the e-learning process is the delivery of the learning contents to their intended audience over a network. A distributed…

The advent of information and communication technology has opened a new era in the counseling profession. This study shares the views of computer literate respondents about their willingness to participate in e-counseling sessions. The results showed that the respondents are generally reserved about using e-counseling services and still insist…

While education systems from nation to nation differ significantly according to national character and local requirements, developments in public policy initiatives regarding the use of technology in schools have followed similar patterns among nations as diverse as the United States, Great Britain, Denmark, Italy, Viet Nam, Germany, France,…

This paper presents a description of the Australian University Teaching Committee (AUTC) funded project titled: "Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) and Their Role in Flexible Learning" that aims to provide opportunities for university teachers to create high quality flexible learning experiences for students. This is to be…

Issues in development of public policy concerning telecommunications and advancement of information technology facing third world countries are examined, and the situations of two very different countries (Nigeria and Russia) are considered, focusing on the development of commercial media in each. The media environment in both countries is…

Under the Federal Communication Commission's (FCC's) e-rate program, schools and libraries can receive discounts from vendors on the cost of eligible telecommunications services, Internet access, and internal connections (the equipment needed to deliver these services). The discounts range from 20 to 90 percent, with higher discounts given to…

This literature review examines the research on the effectiveness of strategies to increase access to technology in different U.S. communities. Issues include not only how different groups and communities access hardware, but also how they organize and interpret activities and social interactions around technology, their own perceived control over…

This digest focuses on the advantages of distance learning (DL) in teacher preparation, explaining that teacher candidates need to be ready to embrace rapidly changing technologies throughout their careers. Teacher education programs can extend the traditional uses of DL by bringing campus-based courses into school-based classrooms, expanding…

Noting that forms of distance education have been available for 150 years, this paper gives an overview of distance education designed to help educators understand how distance education can be used. Sections of the paper address: (1) background of distance education; (2) methods and technology for delivery of distance education (including…

This volume contains 22 presentations delivered at the 1999 Intelevent Conference held in Edinburgh, Scotland. The proceedings were compiled, printed and distributed by the ERIC Clearinghouse on Educational Management at the University of Oregon. Papers delivered at the conference include the following: the inevitable globalization of…

This publication presents a compilation of information about technologies used for distance education and web-based training for practitioners in adult, career, and vocational education. It focuses on the use of technology in the following ways: (1) as an instructional tool that expands classroom walls and enables the delivery of specialized…

This paper discusses building smart communities (i.e., communities that provide an advanced communication and information infrastructure and that enable residents and organizations to make good and independent use of these technologies) that benefit blind and visually impaired persons. The first section summarizes ways that the potential of smart…

This document presents the guidelines for the California Community College 2000-2001 State-Funded Telecommunication and Technology Infrastructure Program (TTIP) Program. The 2000-2001 State Budget Act contains $44.3 million for expenditures on the TTIP. The Act provides that $31,600,000 be allocated to colleges for the following purposes: (1) data…