DISTANCE LEARNING IN A CHANGING WORLD: THE TEL8 SYSTEM

In 1995 the Mountain Plains Consortium (MPC) in the United States initiated TEL8, a satellite-based telecommunications system that serves 10 sites in the Federal Highway Administration's Region 8. This paper presents the attributes of TEL8 to demonstrate the roles for distance learning in a changing world. Each site consists of in-room audio and video equipment, which receives and transmits live sound and picture, coding/decoding compression equipment, and a satellite transmission system. Each site is capable of sending and receiving signals from other sites in several modes of conferencing that range from broadcast to multi-point two-way conferencing. The goals of TEL8, its development and lessons learned are presented with cost data for this cutting edge technology. The wide variety of applications are also discussed. The system provides a network for interaction among the six departments of transportation and four regional universities. A user assessment of this form of distance learning is compared to more traditional forms using results of several client-based surveys. The role of distance learning must be expanded with other technologies such as the World Wide Web to effectively develop the World Interchange Network (WIN). Expanding and sharing transportation technology world wide is dependent on technologies such as TEL8 in a series of regional networks.

• Record URL:
  https://www.ugpti.org/resources/reports/details.php?id=453
• Corporate Authors:

  University of Wyoming, Laramie

  Wyoming Survey and Analysis Center, 710 Garfield
  Laramie, WY  United States  82070
• Authors:
  • Wilson, E M
• Publication Date: 1996-10

Language

• English

Media Info

• Features: Figures; Tables;
• Pagination: 16 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Acoustic equipment; Applications; Costs; Distance; Education; Learning; Satellite communication; Technology; Telecommunications; Transportation
• Uncontrolled Terms: Computer conferencing; Video technology
• Old TRIS Terms: Audio system; Transportation technology
• Subject Areas: Administration and Management; Transportation (General); I10: Economics and Administration;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00728821
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: MPC Rpt. No. 96-66
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Nov 22 1996 12:00AM