Abstract

This paper provides commentary on some of the issues and projects considered in other papers presented at the conference, focusing in particular on some of the nontechnological issues associated with the design, development, and implementation of telecomputing and networking in education. Four types of telecomputing projects are considered: national telecomputing projects, statewide networks, local or community-based networks, and hybrid interactive distance learning projects. It is suggested that the major challenges in these four areas are political and economic, and that the high turnover rate of individuals involved in such projects is due to these political and economic issues, as well as to the volatile nature of telecomputing and networking ventures in education. The fact that half of the authors who presented papers at the conference in September 1986 are no longer officially involved in the projects they described is cited as an example of this instability. It is argued that if the potential of telecomputing, distance learning, and other projects is to be realized, these problems must be addressed at various policy levels. (EW)

Citation

Blaschke, C.L. (1986). Networking in Education. The Need for Managerial and Political Innovations. Learning Tomorrow. Journal of the Apple Education Advisory Council, 4, 311-331. Retrieved September 29, 2023 from https://www.learntechlib.org/p/140386/.

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Keywords

• Computer Networks
• distance education
• educational innovation
• Local Area Networks
• National Programs
• Politics of Education
• State Programs
• Telecommunications