This manual for a workshop on the use of telecommunications in the schools begins by presenting a connection decision chart, the session objectives, and the agenda. Information presented for the workshop covers the basic concepts and elements of telecommunications; the specific elements of a telecommunications system; the evaluation and selection of hardware and software; the evaluation and selection of online services; and typical dial-up sessions with the University of Missouri's LUMIN library catalog, the Missouri School Boards Association's EDNET bulletin board system, and CompuServe. Objectives and procedures are then provided for four hands-on activity sessions: (1) IBM dial-up using ProComm+ to access a remote online service; (2) data transfer between a TRS-80 laptop computer and an IBM PS/2 Model 25 to demonstrate how information can be passed from one ASCII machine to another ASCII machine with differing operating systems; (3) Apple hardware/software setup and configuration; and (4) IBM hardware/software setup and configuration. A glossary of telecommunications terminology, a computer telephone book for Missouri, and a list of selected computer bulletin boards around the country are included, as well as a list of resources for further information. (EW)