Examines developments in networking for K-12 education, including the High Performance Computing Act of 1991, national telecommunications proposals, growing participation in the National Research and Education Network (NREN), state networks, technical issues, and the Consortium for School Networking. Stages toward the goal of developing…

This address by the chairman of the House of Representatives Science Subcommittee focuses on approaches to improving access to national networks, including legislation that would allow telephone companies to offer cable service. A hearing on the establishment of the National Research and Education Network (NREN) is summarized, and guiding…

Describes the Online degree program at the University of Phoenix which recently graduated the first class of MBAs (Masters of Business Administration) to have obtained their degrees via this distance education program. Discussion of telecommunications includes descriptions of interactive group conferences and methods of measuring students'…

Discusses the legal concerns of free access to information, tort liability, and free speech in a commercial electronic networking environment. Recommends that legal questions be addressed through case law, Congressional hearings, and agency solicitations, and that network service providers protect themselves by posting notice of equal access…

The science of telemetry is described. Examples from a variety of unmanned space probes are provided. A list of the brief history of pictures from 1973-89 is presented. (CW)

Development of the newly federally authorized National Research and Education Network should offer administrative computing and communications organizations at institutions of higher education new levels of network capacity, connectivity, and reliability. Administrative applications will include improved professional communications, sharing of…

Describes an inservice teacher training program for educators in early childhood special education in rural South Carolina using telecommunications, telementoring, and teletraining. The program evaluation shows significant improvements in participants' self-reported competency in using computers, understanding research journals, and using research…

Discusses management issues that librarians face in offering public access to library resources through internetworking services, e.g., local area networks, campus networks, or the INTERNET. It is concluded that interface problems and lack of an effective technical support structure make access to library information on INTERNET more of an…

Because of the schedules, preferences, and varied information needs of researchers at Baylor College of Medicine (Texas), a system of computer and telecommunications technologies was developed to facilitate research and project planning. The system integrates cellular phones, voice mail, facsimile publishing, distributed document delivery, and…

Describes construction of the information highway and some of the current players. Alternative uses of the information highway being developed by several private companies are described. The impact of the information highway on education and how it will be delivered to all grades and ages are considered. (Contains two references.) (KRN)

Discusses prototype information infrastructure projects in northern California's Silicon Valley. The strategies of the public and private telecommunications carriers vying for backbone services and industries developing end-user infrastructure technologies via office networks, set-top box networks, Internet multimedia, and "smart homes"…

Discusses the concepts, costs, and benefits of bulletin board services (BBSs) as a distance learning strategy for staff training and communication. The New York State Independent Living Bulletin Board System (NYS IL BBS) for caseworkers monitoring at-risk youth is described as an example of how to plan bulletin board content. (Contains six…

Describes the status of educational telecommunications networks operated and funded by state government agencies to support K-12 programs. Summaries of a 1993 survey and other recent studies are presented together with recommendations for network infrastructure, instruction, transport, funding, and evaluation development. (Contains 12 references.)…

Discussion of telecommunications and distance education focuses on a graduate level course, primarily online, that was designed to help educators become familiar with Internet resources. Topics addressed include computer-mediated communication (CMC); writing and CMC; cooperative learning and participant roles; challenges of online interactions;…

The University of South Carolina distance education program for preparation of personnel to educate visually handicapped people utilizes a video delivery system with a two-way audio talk-back system, teleconferencing, videocassettes, and alternative scheduling. Course descriptions and students' responses are described. (JDD)