Demonstration of distance education technology based on public networks

Demonstration of Distance Education Technology based on Public Networks

 

Oleg Medvedev. Vjacheslav Vochmin, Grigory Doroshenko and Maxim Jatskovsky Moscow State University, Clinics of the Ministry of Economics, Moscow, Russia

 

ABSTRACT:

 

Distance education online requires a broadband network for transmission of vast amount of information as images, video, and audio. Due to the underdeveloped public networks in Russia such an approach is unreal. The aim of our project was to develop the technology for distance education to be used on low bandwidth networks.

 

Before lecture the educational materials are downloaded onto a PC computer at the distant point(s) of education. During lecture the instructor can change slides on the remote computer just by sending short command from his computer or mobile device (cellular phone (WAP 1.2 or PDA). The original software synchronizes the demonstration of educational materials with the lecturer's voice on the remote student computers. The voice of the lecturer is transmitted in encoded form together with the controlling commands. In addition to the "standard lecture" features the software developed allows assessment of the remote learners by providing multiple choice questions and seeing the summated results on the instructor's computer as well as the learner's computer. So, it can be used as a distributed "audience response system". During lecture, or after it, the students can ask questions by typing them on their computers. The educational materials for distance education can be prepared with Microsoft PowerPoint, Macromedia Director, and Macromedia Flash.

 

A test lecture, based on the developed technology, will be demonstrated during the Slice of Life meeting.

 

BENEFIT TO PARTICIPANTS ATTENDING SESSION:

 

The technology will be demonstrated for giving lectures for remote areas via low bandwidth networks using desktop PC, notebook, PDA, or cellular phone

 

Prof. Oleg Medvedev

Berezhkovskaya Nab. 14-32

Moscow, 121059.

Russia

Phone: +7-095-143-7919

Fax: +7-095-143-7915

Email: o_medvedev@hotmail.com

 

CO-AUTHORS:

Vjacheslav Vochmin,

Grigory Doroshenko

Maxim Jatskovsky

Lomonosovsky Ave. 43

Moscow 119192

Russia

Phone: +7-095-143-7912

Fax: +7-095-143-7915

Email: max@medcity.ru