EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY : FIELD SUPPORT AND STUDIES IN FACILITATING LEARNING; COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY (NASA/RSSA)

NASA PROVIDED USEFUL TECHNICAL ADVISE FOR THE RURAL SATELLITE PROJECT THROUGH THE PUBLIC SERVICE SATELLITE CONSORTIUM(SSC). FROM 1/78 TO 6/78, NASA CARRIED OUT A PIVOTAL LDC DEMONSTRATION LEADING TO THE PRESENT LATIN AMERICA CARIBBEAN BUREAU-FUNDED PRELIMINARY STUDY WITH THE UNIVERSITY OF THE WEST INDIES FOR A POSSIBLE CARIBBEAN REGIONAL COMMUNICATION SYSTEM. NASA PROVIDED ASSISTANCE IN DRAFTING THE AID RURAL SATELLITE PROGRAM AND CONDUCTED SEVERAL ONE-DAY DEMONSTRATION PROJECTS FOR PARTNERS OF THE AMERICAS AND THE INTER-AMERICAN PSYCHIATRIC ASSOCIATION. THERE WAS A VERY LONG DELAY IN NASA FUNDING OF A SUBCONTRACT REQUIRED TO SUPPORT THE ASIA BUREAU PROJECT WITH THE UNIVERSITY OF THE SOUTH PACIFIC(USP). THIS DELAY IS NOW WORKED OUT. IT WAS DUE TO THE TRANSFER OF AUTHORITY IN NASA FROM ONE NASA LABORATORY TO ANOTHER. REORGANIZATION IN NASA RESULTED IN THE DISSOLUTION OF THE ORIGINAL APPLICATIONS SUPPORT GROUP AT GODDARD LABORATORY IN MAY 1979 TO THE LEWIS CENTER. NASA MANAGEMENT NOW INDICATES THE PROBLEM IS SOLVED. FOLLOW-UP ACTION IS NEEDED TO ASSURE TIMELY CONTRACT EXECUTION.