The purpose of this book is to provide an integrated description of all extant interactive optical technologies. The book emphasizes the educational applications of interactive optical media, describes technologies, defines and discusses the training and education market, and discusses multi-optical design issues. Later sections of the text examine projected trends and their possible effects on future usage of interactive optical media.

Specific emphasis is placed on educational applications of interactive optical media in the first two chapters. Helsel also describes optical technologies, defines the prospective training and education markets, and discusses multi-optical design issues. The second major portion of the text discusses the usage of interactive optical technologies in industrial training; management and professional education; medicine and health science training; public, higher, and adult education; and government training. Three chapters deal with applications in Europe, Great Britain, and Canada. Finally, the work presents four brief, culminating chapters dealing with the issues of analog versus digital domains, trends in both the industry and training programs, a discussion of the industry’s commitment to the future, and how optical technologies may assist in meeting societal needs. The book also includes an illustrative bibliography, a glossary, and a list of people and organizations involved in this area.

While no magical successes are promised, the author notes that interactive optical technologies are making worthwhile contributions today and will only become more powerful in the next decade. The text is informative and well written and presents excellent basic information for the reader.