Distributed and Online Distance Lecturing Environment (The Virtual Blackboard Project)

Computers and networks are increasingly able to support distributed collaborative multimedia applications. In fact, the growing interest in distance learning reflects the awareness that these technologies could support the broad, complex interactions at the heart of instruction. However, designers of such applications face many challenges. For example, how effective is a flexible design that lets a class form its own practices? To what extent should conventions be designed in or promoted through training? Although researchers have begun to explore these issues, longitudinal studies are rare. In this paper, we look at these issues using Virtual Blackboard, an extensible system that provides a wide range of interaction capabilities. In Virtual Blackboard we based development on the concept of the ISO/TEC standard MPEG-4, which was providing the specifications that would make the development of a sophisticated, fully interactive, common for all applications, environment possible. Keyword...

• Type: Journal
• Year: 2002
• Where: ETS
• Authors: Yiannis N. Sagias
• Keywords: Collaborative Multimedia Applications, Complex Interactions, ETS 2002, Hardware, Virtual Blackboard