The author traces the history of instructional television (ITV), concluding that classroom television is little more advanced or accepted than it was in 1950. He suggests that there will be an increasing use of videotaped, pre-recorded, inexpensively produced local television lessons in place of broadcast ITV. The basics of television production are described, with emphasis on the use of simple and practical equipment wherever possible. The pros and cons of open- and closed-circuit transmission and tape electrography are discussed. He distills the past 20 years of experience with ITV and presents a set of general statements about the potential and capabilities of the medium. He attempts to identify what varieties of teaching and learning are possible with ITV. Methods for adapting lessons for ITV presentation and of developing scripts for new lessons are outlined. The author reviews the manpower necessary for ITV production, including technical and production personnel and television teachers, and describes the process of integrating ITV lessons into the classroom curriculum. He takes most television research to task on various grounds and presents his own standards for evaluating and validating television research. A glossary is provided. (JY)