DESCRIPTORS

In this paper, potential applications of wireless data communications and mobile satellite technology are described which aim at improving education. The motivation behind this work is that the technology now exists for providing today's teachers and students with not only better access to educational facilities, but also instantaneous communications with distant sites and mobile units. Wireless data communications systems integrated with mobile satellite technology use wireless radio packet modems for message transmission between a fixed dispatching center and mobile units. Messages are relayed over a wireless data network, and mobile units are equipped with satellite receivers which read signals from Global Positioning System (GPS) satellites. A discussion of mobile satellite communications includes an examination of GPS, the Magellan AIV-10 OEM GPS Module, and Blue Marble Graphics MAIL Map, Geo View, and GeoCalc. Topics addressed in the wireless data communication