Technological advances in computers and telecommunications that have significantly changed higher education are analyzed within a framework that associates technologies, applications, and aspects of institutions that are affected. Two further frameworks, one for information systems suggested by decision support systems study and one which is a map of the futures field, are identified as typical instruments useful for institutional researchers and planners in impact analysis of technology on higher education and on the practice of institutional research. The following technologies and applications are considered: microelectronics, speech processing fiber optics, satellites, personal computers, teleconferencing, word processing, electronic mail, voice messaging, and the displayphone. Telematics is the accepted name for the emerging field that combines computers and telecommunications. Among the applications of technology that affect teaching and learning are machine-mediated instruction and support for research and other scholarly activities. The possibility of affording a personal computer (like personal textbooks) implies that the relationship of students to the library, the classroom and the laboratory will change in ways that are hard to predict, but the infrastructure of the institution will fundamentally be affected. Videotex, using the home television, can make available most of the services of higher education institutions, from complete credit courses to the library and computing services. Graphics computing systems, with videotex or other computer assisted systems, provide the professor with the electronic equivalent of a blackboard. Additionally, text editing and managing are useful in preparation of research reports. A bibliography is appended. (SW)