multimedia-based distance education on the internet: challenges and experiences
DESCRIPTION
Multimedia-based Distance Education on the Internet: Challenges and Experiences. Karl Kurbel Virtual Global University (VGU) & European University Viadrina Frankfurt (Oder), Germany. Outline. 1Background 1.1VGU - a virtual organization for Web-based e-learning - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
Virtual Global University Prof. Dr. Karl Kurbel
Multimedia-based Distance Education on the Internet: Challenges and Experiences
Karl KurbelVirtual Global University (VGU)
& European University Viadrina
Frankfurt (Oder), Germany
Virtual Global University Prof. Dr. Karl Kurbel
1 Background1.1 VGU - a virtual organization for Web-based e-learning1.2 Motivation and concepts of the MBI program
2 Teaching and communication in a distance-education program2.1 Multimedia-oriented teaching modes2.2 Tools for communication and student interaction
3 Online teaching in the MBI program3.1 Providing video lectures over the Internet
3.1.1 Coping with various transmission rates3.1.2 Integrating video streams at the user
interface 3.2 Audio-based courses 3.3 Text-based courses 3.4 Hybrid animations
4 Conclusions
Outline
Virtual Global University Prof. Dr. Karl Kurbel
A worldwide master program in IT and management for international students
"Business Informatics" Distance education, based on multimedia and the
Internet Individual guidance, assistance, and support for
students through electronic media Semester oriented, classes meet weekly, personal
interaction "Normal" PC and Internet technology
"International Master of Business Informatics" (MBI) - General Idea
Virtual Global University Prof. Dr. Karl Kurbel
Virtual Global University Prof. Dr. Karl Kurbel
VIRTUAL REAL
University Virtual Global VGU GmbH (teaching) in University (VGU) cooperation with European
University Viadrina (formal: enrollment, degree) and others
Department School of Business Dept. of BA and Economics Informatics (SBI) (formal: ordinances; exams)
Faculty SBI faculty A network of professors fromCentral European
universities
Students Class of 2002, 2003, ... Distributed worldwide,communicating via Internet
Building Offices, administration, Distributed, some at EUV,lecture halls etc. Multimedia
Virtual Global University Prof. Dr. Karl Kurbel
Virtual Global University Prof. Dr. Karl Kurbel
Multimedia Techniques for Distance Education
Hypertext material Audio + presentation material Audio + presentation material + text Video Video + presentation material Animation (e.g. Macromedia Flash) Multimedia incorporated in web-supported
textbooks
Virtual Global University Prof. Dr. Karl Kurbel
Discussion forum, bulletin board
Asynchronous communication Chatrooms
Synchronous communication Internal e-mail
Privacy Videoconferencing
e.g. NetMeeting
Interaction Techniques for Distance Education
Virtual Global University Prof. Dr. Karl Kurbel
14 28 33 56
Bandwidth,kbps*) Signal loss due to distance
**) More than one analog-to-digital conversion between client and Internet Service Provider
***) Low quality modem****) High noise level in telephone line*****) Concentrators and other "cable save" equipment installed between client and Internet Service Provider
56 kbps Upper limit for data transfer in dialup connections
33 kbps Data transfer speed limit for 56k modems in *) and **) cases28 kbps > 5 year old modems and modern modems in ***), ****), *****) cases
14 kbps > 10 year old modems
Key Bandwidths for Dialup Connections
Video
Audio
56 kbps 176x132x12 fps low motion video(large number of dropped frames at this bitrate)
30-55 kbps 800x600x10 fps screen recordings
33 kbps 176x132x8 fps low motion video
20 kbps
16 kbps
8.5 kbps
5 kbps
5 8,5 16 33 55
Mixed sound material of"transistor radio" quality
Biggest bitrate of ACELP.NET codecunder Windows Media Plattform
Acceptable sound quality using"speech optimized" codecs
Smallest possible bitrate for audio data
Bitrate, kbps
Bitrates and Dialup Connections
Virtual Global University Prof. Dr. Karl Kurbel
30-55 kbps 800x600x10 fps screen recordings
33 kbps 176x132x8 fps low motion video
16 kbps Audio
28 33 56
Bitrate,kbps
Video and Audio Material Suitable for Dialup Connections
Virtual Global University Prof. Dr. Karl Kurbel
Providing Video Lectures over the Internet
How to cope with a variety of Internet access speeds?
Version 1: Very fast access DSL 1500 (360k) Version 2: Fast access DSL/LAN (300k) Version 3: Fast access LAN (100k) Version 4: Moderate access ISDN (64K) Version 5: Slow access dialup (56k), sound and
video Version 6: Slow access dialup (28k and 56k), sound
only
Virtual Global University Prof. Dr. Karl Kurbel
Recorded Lecture Video - a First Naive Try
Virtual Global University Prof. Dr. Karl Kurbel
Online Demonstration
<Demonstration of VGU courses online - outside this Powerpoint presentation>
360 kbps Video
300 kbps Video
100 kbps Video
64 kbps Video
33 kbps Video
16 kbps Audio
2 Videos
Virtual Global University Prof. Dr. Karl Kurbel
Recording Scenario 1
Virtual Global University Prof. Dr. Karl Kurbel
Recording Scenario 2
Virtual Global University Prof. Dr. Karl Kurbel
Topics
Topic 1 Topic 2 Topic 3 Topic 4
...
Slides, Graphics, etc.
Picture (GIF, JPEG File) or Powerpoint Slide
<img> or <frame> Tag
Video (Audio)
Windows Media Player
Text annotations (optional)
Controls for Player
(Buttons)
Functional Diagram of a Video Course Page
Virtual Global University Prof. Dr. Karl Kurbel
Wait N Seconds
YES
NO
Playback Start Synchronization
PP1 < PP2 + T AND
PP1 > PP2 - T
Correction of Playback Time
Difference
Switching to Desired Playback Position
*PP = Playback Position
Synchronization Algorithm
Virtual Global University Prof. Dr. Karl Kurbel
Audio Based Course Page
Virtual Global University Prof. Dr. Karl Kurbel
HTML Based Text Page
Virtual Global University Prof. Dr. Karl Kurbel
Animated Course Page (Flash)
Virtual Global University Prof. Dr. Karl Kurbel
Producing video lectures requires a significantly long phase of learning and getting acquainted with the technology
Elapsed time to produce video/audio material for a 90 minute lecture
– 2000: 12 days – 2001: 4 - 7 days– 2002: 2 days– 2003: ???
Observations
Virtual Global University Prof. Dr. Karl Kurbel
Participation and Collaboration
How Can Students outside Germany Participate in the MBI Program and VGU Courses?
1) Directly
• Apply, enroll and study (from home/workplace)
• Applications for SS 2004 invited from January 19, 2004 to March 8, 2004
2) Partnerships
• VGU is building a network of partners who provide local support for students
Virtual Global University Prof. Dr. Karl Kurbel
Development of the MBI program has been supported under a grant by the German Federal Ministry for Education and Research in the program "New media in education".
More Information http://www.vg-u.de
Acknowledgement
Virtual Global University Prof. Dr. Karl Kurbel
Multimedia-based Distance Education on the Internet: Challenges and Experiences
Karl KurbelVirtual Global University (VGU)
& European University Viadrina
Frankfurt (Oder), Germany