Electronic technologies can be used to facilitate educational exchanges between people in three ways - by writing, by speaking and listening, and by displaying and seeing. In other words, by text, audio and video. For this analysis of the powerful impact new technologies are likely to have on education, Robin Mason has chosen computer conferencing, audiographics and videoconferencing as the prime examples of such media. Destined to combine eventually as multimedia desktop conferencing, the three systems are at present quite distinct. Mason looks at each in turn, highlighting benefits and pitfalls, and bringing together for the first time information from a previously bewildering range of sources. This clear and explanatory overview is then illustrated by a series of case studies from around the world, detailing applications in a selection of real contexts. This topical, well-informed and reassuringly straightforward book will be of great value and interest not only to open and distance educators in educational, training and industrial settings, but to practitioners working at all education levels, ages and situations.

An introduction to three types of interactive media - computer conferencing, audiographics and video conferencing - which explains how each type can be used in the open learning environment. It describes attributes and limitations, analyzing appropriate applications through case studies.