Knowledge production and utilization (KPU) involves the communication and transfer technology of a discipline. In education as in other areas, the problems with KPU are due to (a) a lack of common language or frame of reference, (b) the sudden vast amount of research, and (c) the lack of a firm knowledge based on educational knowledge utilization. Given the newness of the effort and the many perspectives that may be taken, difficulties exist in sorting out systems levels--roles, relationships, and activities--among producers, diffusers, and consumers of education. However, knowledge and technology production is located in all the above systems levels, and is moved by three types of transfers: (a) those within the confines of the specific user system itself; (b) by direct horizontal or indirect vertical transfers from one user system to another; or (c) by transfers directly from specialized resource systems or indirectly through mediating systems. Two information networks, the research and development (R&D) network, and the practice improvement network, utilize these methods of transfer. However, successful installation of these networks into an organization involves changing structure, technology, or people's behaviors. Consequently, utilizing these methods in research, development, disseminaton, and evaluation (RDD&E) is difficult, costly, and risky; although it is still being undertaken by a great variety of education organizations. (Illustrations on change approaches, systems development, and transfers are included.) (JS)