SATELLITE NETWORKS FOR EDUCATION

Abstract

This paper is concerned with satellite-based educational networking. It is based on work performed in a continuing study of the potential uses of communications satellites to help meet educational needs in the United States. The paper is divided into four main sections. The first is concerned with the characteristics and structure of networks. The second section contains a discussion of pressures within the educational establishment that are providing motivation for various types of networks. This latter section also identifies studies in which networking needs for educational sectors and services are defined. Section three examines the current status of educational networking for educational radio and television, Instructional Television Fixed Services, inter- and intrastate educational communication networks, computer networks, cabletelevision for education, and continuing and proposed educational experiments using NASA’s Applications Technology Satellites. The fourth section describes possible satellite-based educational telecommunication services and three alternatives for implementing educational satellite systems. The paper concludes with some remarks concerning public policy aspects of future educational satellite system development.