This book is intended to give technology providers a better understanding of the dynamics of interactive distance learning (DL). For technology consumers it provides an understanding of the basics of available telecommunication technologies and the tradeoffs among available alternatives. Among the topics discussed in the book's 12 chapters are the following: the DL environment (role and benefits of DL, barriers to the growth of DL, DL application and networking solutions); DL needs of K-12 schools students and administrators; (re)educating the corporation (corporate DL challenges and application/networking solutions); DL needs of universities; state-based DL initiatives; the National Information Infrastructure (NII) and DL initiatives of the federal and state governments; NII and DL initiatives of the telephone companies (local exchange and interexchange carriers); the role of cable television companies and alternate access providers; the Internet and DL (Internet infrastructure, Internet service providers, multimedia over the Internet, Internet strengths/limitations); and case studies of high-performance integrated DL systems in K-12, the virtual college model at New York University, and delivery of DL by Wescott Communications. Appended are an example of course activities and assignments and a list of acronyms. (MN)