Current issues in educational communications and technology are addressed in this collection of 47 papers, in which research reports dominate. Topics discussed include factors related to the learner, e.g., problem-solving skills, motivation, comparison of instructional design strategies, effects of organizational cues and text layouts, and learning strategies. Several papers examine innovative educational media such as interactive video, electronic mail, teletraining, computer-assisted instruction, computer-generated text, simulations, and microcomputers. Additional papers discuss the use of cable television in higher education, noncommercial FM radio stations, instructional television services, use of bulletin boards and electronic mail in distance education, evaluation of media support services, user attitudes toward computers, and effects of Logo instruction. References and data tables are included with many papers. Cumulative indexes of authors and descriptors covering the first eight volumes of conference proceedings (1979-1986) for the Research and Theory Division of the Association for Educational Communications and Technology are included. (JB)