A study of the conditions for successful training via interactive satellite television

The Starnet Project on interactive training by satellite transmitted two series of training programs on advanced manufacturing technology and starting a business. Trainees at sites throughout the UK interacted with studio experts during the live transmission via an audio bridge. This paper describes the evaluation of some of the educational benefits with respect to the technology series, and presents a cost/benefit analysis of the medium. It analyses the key advantages of the interactive feature and the broadcast nature of interactive satellite television (ISTV), and compares these with the expected costs and benefits of a system comprising videos and pre–arranged audio–bridge discussions with no broadcast element.