Distance learning involves students and faculty engaged in interactive instructional settings when they are at different locations. Compressed video is the live transmission of two-way auditory and visual signals at the same time between sites at different locations. The use of compressed video has expanded in recent years, ranging from use by the government and commercial users to post-secondary institutions and K-12 schools. Compressed video was first used at Nova Southeastern University (NSU) in the summer of 1994, and has been expanded to become a regular part of the faculty's teaching repertoire. The initial use, involving a three-site, week-long workshop at the master's level, is described in detail. Following this successful initial use, a series of classes were scheduled between sites in Florida, Arizona, and Nevada, using compressed video equipment only a few hours per week, supplemented with voice communication and electronic mail. Examples of the current use of compressed video in other academic programs at NSU are provided, and justification for the selection of a particular vendor is given. (MAS)