Both technological developments and the political context in which developments have occurred are considered, based on (1) an international conference organized by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) in October 1978; (2) results of studies in different countries in collaboration with German agencies; (3) research in the fields of teacher education and new media use; and (4) conclusions of the 1976 OECD Conference in Philadelphia. The first section covers background to the development of in-service education and training of teachers (INSET) and the use of new materials, focusing on political aspects, technological development, changes in INSET, and criteria for the utilization and evaluation of new media in INSET. The utilization of new materials for INSET in selected OECD member countries is then discussed, including projects in the Federal Republic of Germany, the United States, Great Britain, France, Sweden, Denmark, and the Netherlands. Specific topics examined include INSET as a part of multimedia adult education, multimedia productions for INSET, restricted media presentations, single small-scale aids and information systems, small-scale training systems and media, international exchange and production, and information exchange and evaluation. (LMM)