This paper surveys the various teleconferencing trials in the Open University, and attempts to analyze why they have been relatively unsuccessful compared to other new media initiatives such as audio cassettes and computer assisted learning. The situation is placed in the context of British and European educational use of telecommunications in education and training. Three areas of teleconferencing that have been used or are being considered at the Open University are discussed: (1) audio-conferencing via telephone is discussed in terms of technical, cost, and educational factors; (2) a discussion of the trials of Cyclops, an experimental audio-graphic conferencing system which transmits handwriting over telephone lines (telewriting), focuses on costs, technical factors, and student response to the tutorials presented via the system; and (3) the potential for use of a sophisticated electronic mail system and/or viewdata system for computer conferencing is considered. It is noted that there is very little use of teleconferencing in British education, and it is suggested that reasons for this include cultural factors, cost of communications, organizational problems, and geographical and time factors. European perspectives are briefly reviewed as they relate to the British experience, and a discussion of future perspectives includes scenarios for the years 1992 and 2000. It is concluded that the organizations most likely to use new telecommunications technology are those with a training rather than an educational brief, who are prepared to concentrate on training at the workplace rather than at home. A 24-item reference list concludes this report. (DJR)