Opening Higher Education with Telecommunications; A Report Submitted to the Board of Higher Education, Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

The use of telecommunications was studied as a means of making higher education more accessible to urban disadvantaged adults by using a statewide, closed-circuit, instructional telecommunications network. A comprehensive review was made of telecommunications in higher education, the learning needs and styles of urban disadvantaged adults, and the alternative modes of telecommunications and their applications. It was recommended that the Commonwealth of Massachusetts should not establish a state-wide closed-circuit instructional television system, but should consider the use of broadcast facilities to broaden access; videotape or instructional television, fixed service (ITS) systems, and neighborhood learning centers would help make education accessible to disadvantaged adults. Appendixes include the research reports, consultant reports, a design for a neighborhood learning center, brochures, and a bibliography of over 100 items. Figures include maps of the areas and statistical data. (Author/DS)