Satellite broadcasting and telecommunications, which began in the 1960's, allows the airing of educational programs in many American corporate educational systems. Several organizations prepare educational programming that costs the subscriber less than producing an in-house program. For a monthly fee, the Law Enforcement Training Network provides an educational satellite broadcast service on topics ranging from constitutional law to drug identification techniques. The FBI and the Kansas City Police Department sponsor six annual teleconferences over the Law Enforcement Satellite Training Network. Computer-based instruction conveys information and develops students' skills in several ways. As a teaching machine, a computer presents principles or theories and allows the student to apply them. As a simulator, the computer allows students to manipulate individual parts of a model and observe the effects of their actions. The computer can also connect students to a network of people and databases through the use of a modem and can offer many other learning tools. 11 notes