A Survey of Distance Education Challenges and Technologies
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paper_title: Advancing asynchronous distance education using high-speed networks

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The Center for Telecommunications at Stanford University, in partnership with the Stanford Center for Professional Development, has designed and deployed an experimental system for delivery of Stanford courses in multimedia format to distance learners using the Internet as well as two experimental, asychronous transfer mode (ATM)-based, high-speed network testbeds. This configuration is designed to prototype the emerging broadband communications infrastructure in the United States and elsewhere. The courses are stored on servers and made available to distance learners on-demand. The user interface is implemented on the World Wide Web. Issues of systems integration, educational effectiveness, and economics are under study as part of the project, called ADEPT (Asynchronous Distance Education ProjecT). In this paper, ADEPT is described along with its experience to date.
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paper_title: Building a virtual community for a tele-learning environment

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This article presents the results of a research project that requires students and faculty to evolve a virtual community in a university class. The concepts, requirements, and importance of a virtual community are discussed, along with the skill requirements necessary for students to participate effectively in a virtual community. The Web sites and class assignments that form the basis of a virtual community are described. Finally, the importance of enriching the learning experience and humanizing the learning process through the use of a virtual community is also discussed.
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paper_title: A Web-based distributed virtual educational laboratory

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Evolution and cost of measurement equipment, continuous training, and distance learning make difficult to provide a complete set of updated workbenches to every student. For a preliminary familiarization and experimentation with instrumentation and measurement procedures the use of virtual equipment is often considered more than sufficient from the didactic point of view. Creation and distribution of workbenches in networked computer laboratories becomes therefore attractive and convenient. This paper describes specification and design of a geographically distributed system based on commercially standard components.
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paper_title: Software systems for virtual university operations

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Distance Learning system is one of the most important applications of multimedia and communication technologies. In the past few years, Tamkang University has a special interesting group of research faculties from computer engineering, education, and literature departments. We follow the operation procedures of a virtual university, and developed Distance Learning system is one of the most important applications of multimedia and communication technologies. In a set of tools to be used by students, course designers, and instructors.
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paper_title: A Distributed Mobil Agent Framework for Maintaining Persistent Distance Education

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Mobile agent techniques involve distributed control if communication is required among different types of agents, especially when mobile agents can migrate from station to station. This techniques can be implemented in a distributed distance learning environment, which allows students or instructors to login from anywhere to a central server in an education center while still retaining the look-and-feel of personal setups. In this research paper, we propose a distributed agent framework along with its communication messages to facilitate mobile personal agents, which serve three different groups of distance education users: instructors, students, and system administrators. We propose an agent communication framework as well as agent evolution states of mobile agents. The communication architecture and message transmission protocols are illustrated. The system is implemented on the Windows platform to support nomadic accessibility of remote distance learning users. Personal data also migrate with the mobile agents, allowing users to maintain accessibility to some extent even when the Internet connection is temperately disconnected. Using user-friendly personal agents, a distance education platform can include different tools to meet different needs for users.
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paper_title: Web-based simulations for computer-assisted learning in the higher education sector

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There are numerous initiatives for maximising benefits to teaching and learning in higher education using information technologies, especially those utilising the World Wide Web to provide a user-friendly, multimedia interface. The expanding population of students and increased demand for flexible education underline the need to take advantage of these technologies without incurring large overheads in terms of development and infrastructure. The aim of this paper is to demonstrate the development of Web-based, interactive simulations, to evaluate the benefits based on user trials and to illustrate the potential for a widely accessible educational environment.
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paper_title: Using the floor control mechanism in distributed multimedia presentation system

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Establishing a Web-based distributed multimedia presentation system environment is technical challenge. In this paper, we describe how to present different multimedia objects indispensably on a Web presentation system with a floor control mechanism, to be used in a distance learning environment. The distributed approach is based on an extended timed Petri net model. Using the characterization of extended timed Petri nets, we express the temporal behavior of multimedia objects. Then we introduce the concepts of user interaction. The main goal of our system is to provide a feasible method to represent a schedule and navigate different multimedia objects with user interaction. In addition, users can dynamically modify and verify different kinds of conditions during the presentation. To verify the structural mechanism, we implement an algorithm using the Petri net diagram, analyzing the model by a time schedule of multimedia objects, and we produce a synchronous set of multimedia objects with respect to the time duration. In particular, we consider the interactive facilities needed to support the distance learning requirements. We propose a floor control mechanism which provides four types of control (free access, equal control, group discussion and direct contact). These control mechanisms are sufficient for use in a distance learning environment.
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paper_title: Design and implementation of important applications in a Java-based multimedia digital classroom

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Presents important issues in the design and implementation of a multimedia digital classroom (MDC) system, together with its applications. The MDC system is implemented in the Java language. It aims at providing important tools to support a distributed interactive education environment. The system consists of a classroom manager and some powerful teaching application tools. The classroom manager is a sharing system with a database. The teaching application tools include a multimedia Internet browser, a shared white-board, multi-channel audio conferencing, a World Wide Web-based note-taking system and an instruction evaluation system. The MDC system and these application tools have been implemented and tested in a heterogeneous environment where workstations and PCs are connected through networks.
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paper_title: Distance learning using Web-based multimedia environment

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The "schooling industry" is faced with an inescapable demand to redefine its endeavors in terms of producing learning, rather than providing instructions. We propose a hybrid learning model to attract distance as well as traditional students. One of the major components of this model is the Web-based learning and interaction. We review the available avenues of distance learning and offer a model that we prepared as an example of Web-based distance learning and training. This model combines videoconferencing, interactive classroom, Web-based lectures and traditional instructions in an optimized way to achieve the goal of high quality technical education. The availability of lecture notes and other course material on the Web makes it a 24/spl times/7 hours classroom. Conducting classes via videoconferencing ensures student participation from all locations and optional interactive conventional teaching strengthens the student-teacher relationship and reinforces the concepts in the minds of students. Therefore, we believe this model offers one of the best opportunities in Web-based distance learning. This paper presents the hybrid learning model and discusses the opportunities and challenges of the Web technologies in the education of computer science and engineering. Through this hybrid model we have already successfully offered several courses in the computer science program at SUNY Fredonia with students registering from across the New York State.
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paper_title: An update on the SimulNet educational platform. Towards standards-driven E-learning

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E-learning is one of the killer applications in the new information society. Many educational systems have been developed, targeted to specific learning environments. One specific area of concern is practical training. This paper presents the latest update on the WWW-based teaching laboratory SimulNet. Particularly, we describe the functionality of the SimulNet whiteboard and authoring tools. Among others, the whiteboard features allow any kind of data sharing on the Web, on-line synchronous communication among learners and instructors and the possibility of following virtual presentations with an embedded Web-based slide projector. The SimulNet authoring environment includes a multimedia editor tool and both static and dynamic content structure generator. Also, current efforts in the learning technology standardization process were taken into account. We set the basis to become SimulNet compliant with the leading standard recommendations.
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paper_title: Conceptual difficulties experienced by senior high school students of electrochemistry: Electrochemical (galvanic) and electrolytic cells

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This research investigated students' understanding of electrochemistry following a 7–9-week course of instruction. A list of conceptual and propositional knowledge statements was formulated, and this provided the framework for semistructured interviews that were conducted with 32 students in their final year of high school chemistry, following instruction in electrochemistry. Three misconceptions identified in this study and five which have been reported earlier are incorporated into an alternative framework about electric current. The framework is grounded on the notion that a current always involves drifting electrons, even in solution. Another area where students' misconceptions were prevalent was in relation to the sign of the anode and cathode. Students who thought the anode was negatively charged believed cations would move toward it, and those who thought it was positively charged were unable to explain why electrons move away from it. Electrolytic cells also proved troublesome for students. Many students did not associate the positions of the anode and cathode with the polarity of the applied electromotive force (e.m.f.). Other students attempted to reverse features of electrochemical cells and apply the reversals to electrolytic cells. The implications of the research relate to students' interpretation of the language that is used to describe scientific phenomena and the tendency for students to overgeneralize, due to comments made by teachers or statements in textbooks.
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paper_title: Low-bandwidth Internet streaming of multimedia lectures

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Traditional modes of communications are inadequate for distance learning in the information age. With advances in computer technology, the Internet offers great opportunities for educational exchange of ideas across vast distances. This paper proposes an end-to-end solution for streaming 'live' and recorded multimedia lectures over the Internet. The technical issues involved are first discussed and the importance of application-layer QoS control in ensuring an acceptable quality of multimedia lecture play-out emphasised. A hybrid architecture that uses an exchange server to handle communications and represents an optimal balance between several conflicting requirements is then proposed. In this architecture video/audio data are transferred directly between the streaming servers and clients. Objective and subjective tests have validated the effectiveness of the design.
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paper_title: An ATM-based multimedia communication system and its application in distance learning

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A prototype of an ATM-based real-time multimedia communication system is developed over Fore Runner ASX-200 ATM switches and the Sun Spare/Solaris platform with ATM adapters and Video Plus. The system includes video/audio collection, compression, playback and transmission over ATM VBR SVC (variable bit-rate switched virtual connection). Client-server mode is adopted in the system to manage the two styles of connection: multicasting and point-to-point connection between two users. A method is also proposed to support the request to join a multicasting group initiated by a client over UNI 3.0/3.1 signaling. To facilitate VBR video over ATM, a leaky-bucket rate control method is developed and employed for reliable and efficient video communication. A multimedia distance learning system built over our framework is also introduced in the paper.
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paper_title: Workflow and End-User Quality of Service Issues in Web-Based Education

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The option of obtaining education over networks is quickly becoming a reality for all those who have access to the Internet and the World Wide Web (WWW). However, at present, network-based education (NBE) over the WWW and the Internet in general faces a number of pitfalls. The problems range from inadequate end-user quality of service (QoS), to inadequate materials, to shortcomings in learning paradigms, and to missing or inappropriate student assessment and feedback mechanisms. In this paper, we discuss some major issues that, although mostly solved for NBE, still face Web-based education (WBE). These include the required workflow-oriented technological and quality of service support. In discussing the issues, we use examples from a wide-area NBE/WBE system called NovaNET and a WBE system called Web Lecture System (WLS). We recommend that WBE system developers construct operational user (workflow) profiles before building their content and interfaces. Our experience is that, especially for synchronous WBE systems, user-level round-trip keystroke delays should not exceed about 250 ms and the overall availability of the system (including network-related service failures) should be at least 0.95. We also suggest that a successful WBE system will have a sound auto-adaptive knowledge assessment component, a virtual laboratory capability, and a set of strong collaborative functions. Until WBE systems match teacher/instructor and student workflows both technologically (as an appliance) and pedagogically, WBE, except in its most primitive form, will not be an effective educational tool.
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paper_title: A multimedia micro-university

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A multimedia micro-university supports the education programs and management operations of a small academic institution. The authors describe its important components-a virtual library, an intelligent distance learning system, and visualization and planning tools for management operations-and discuss an assessment plan designed to evaluate the micro-university's effectiveness.
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paper_title: Examples of distance learning projects in the European Community

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The innovation brought by the introduction of new technologies in our modern society has also started to appear in education. The biggest efforts come from the institutions involved in distance education, partly due to the characteristics of the educational system they represent. In order to improve the technology development there are a large number of projects being developed inside the European Union. This paper discusses the current situation of distance learning and the technological resources available including e-mail, video conferencing, Internet and the World Wide Web and virtual teaching-learning environment. Some of the European Projects including new technologies in distance learning are also discussed.
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paper_title: Students' misunderstandings and misconceptions in college freshman chemistry (general and organic)

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Both chemistry teachers and nonmajor students appear to agree that freshman chemistry may well be the most problematic traditional science discipline taught in the first year of college—as far as students' misunderstandings, learning difficulties, and misconceptions are concerned. The above is probably due to the many abstract, nonintuitive concepts, which are not directly interrelated. Consequently, in such cases, the powerful, general teaching strategy of “concept mapping” must be replaced by alternative, specific strategies. Selected illustrative examples of students' learning difficulties and misconceptions in freshman general and organic chemistry are presented in the students' terms, followed by the corresponding successfully applied, specific, concept-oriented, eclectic intervention strategies the author uses in order to overcome the difficulties. Based on longitudinal in-class observations, interpretive study, and analysis it is suggested that those students' misconceptions in freshman chemistry which are not interrelated logically and/or derived from one another are not prone to the general “concept mapping” approach and should be dealt with by using the appropriate, specific teaching strategy.
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paper_title: Synchronous distance education: enhancing speaking skills via Internet-based real time technology

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The paper reports on an investigation into one of the most urgent problems facing distance language education: the problem of lack of exposure to speaking practice in the target language. The Open Learning Chinese Program taught at Griffith University is used as a case study. Following a discussion on issues relating to distance education for languages such as the indispensability of technology to learning languages in a distance mode, and the importance of communicative competence, the paper moves on to an examination of the capabilities of Internet based real time technology. Two major indications can be generated from this research: real time technology can help solve the problem of insufficient exposure to speaking practice, and a historical convergence of distance and traditional campus based education toward a networked education can be expected.
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paper_title: ClassWise: synchronous Internet desktop education

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This paper reports the results of a five-year effort to develop an effective system for teaching distant students via the Internet, where the students are able to participate synchronously in class as contrasted to the more common asynchronous, Web-based "distance learning" approach. The authors have developed a system consisting of effective teaching practices and a practical family of software to support this approach within the context of computer and network resources that are available to average students at home or in an office. The system and the process that developed them are described in detail. They conclude with the outcome of a graduate course taught to three sections totalling 68 students (including a local control group) using this approach.
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paper_title: Complete system for distance learning over IP

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The paper shows a distance learning system with huge benefits, that incorporates two methodologies for distance learning: with and without the presence of the teacher, professor or speaker. This system allows giving a class in real time, creating and studying multimedia courses. For the interactive courses, the system uses several protocols over IP, and several compression algorithms. Also the parameter QoT (Quality of Teaching) is defined. The system has been designed in a modular structure so that new modules can be easily added.
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paper_title: Implementing a distributed lecture-on-demand multimedia presentation system

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Lecture-on-demand (LOD) multimedia presentation technologies in networks are most often used in communication services. Examples of those applications include video-on demand, interactive TV and communication tools in a distance learning system, etc. In this paper, we describe how to present different multimedia objects on a Web-based presentation system. The distributed approach is based on an extended timed Petri net model. Using characterization of extended media streaming technologies, we developed a Web-based multimedia presentation system. For a real-world example, suppose a well-known teacher is giving a lecture/presentation to his students. Because of time constraints and other commitments, many students cannot attend the presentation. The main goal of our system is to provide a feasible method to record and represent a lecture/presentation. Using a browser with windows media services allows those students to view live video of the teacher giving his speech, along with synchronized images of his presentation slides and all the annotations/comments. In our experience, this approach is sufficient for distance learning environments.
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paper_title: Satellite-based distance learning using digital video and the Internet

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The Boston University College of Engineering Distance Learning Initiative (DLI) integrates computers, digital video, and the Internet to deliver graduate degree courses in engineering to students in companies distant from the Boston University campus. A key objective of the DLI is to support learning wherever it is most convenient, whether by groups in a classroom, at the workplace desk, or at home. The article describes the motivation, technology, and experiences in integrating a satellite-based digital video distance learning system coupled with Web technology.
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paper_title: Design of a Web-based synchronized multimedia lecture system for distance education

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Currently, the WWW has created an open environment for convenient delivery of HTML pages and low bandwidth video clips. Since HTML pages can present static text and image in much higher resolution to that presented by a low bit rate video clip, we believe that the optimal mode for a WWW based distance lecture is to use: (1) streaming video clips for the audio/video lecturing, and (2) dynamically loaded HTML pages to present the lecture note navigation process. To this end, we have designed a "Live/On-Demand Synchronized AV/HTML Distance Lecture System" to synchronize the presentation of the streaming video lecture, the HTML based lecture notes, and the HTML Navigation Events. We propose a "Web-based Synchronized Multimedia Lecture (WSML) "framework to automate the recording of the media presentation events based on the SMIL specification. The WSML framework consists of three major modules: (1) WSML Recorder for recording the temporal information of the AV lecture; (2) WSML Event Server for receiving, multicasting and depositing WSML events; (3) WSML Browser for presentation of the synchronized AV lecture and HTML based lecture notes navigation. To evaluate the performance of the propose framework, in this stage, we have applied the RealSystem to implement a prototype Synchronized AV/HTML Distance Lecture System using Java/Javascript. The prototype system demonstrates the feasibility of the proposed framework.
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paper_title: The Multimedia Online Collaboration Architecture: tools to enable distance learning

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MOCA is a suite of Internet multimedia tools to facilitate groupwork in a distance learning environment, built using standard Java utilities. MOCA's original aim was to allow several users to work simultaneously on multimedia documents using a multimedia whiteboard. Now MOCA supports both asynchronous and synchronous collaboration models. Tools for asynchronous multimedia presentation, annotation, surveys, and HW have also been developed using the same basic framework. To enable synchronous collaboration sessions between students, TAs and instructors, we have developed a scheduler tool. The system is being piloted in an advanced VLSI chip design course which allows multimedia collaboration between design teams distributed at academic sites at UMASS/Amherst, ENST/Paris, Pusan South Korea and industrial sites at IBM, Intel, AMD and Motorola.
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paper_title: Web mining for distance education

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Application of data mining techniques to the WWW (World Wide Web), referred to as Web mining, has been the focus of several research projects and papers. One of several possibilities can be its application to distance education. Taken as a whole, the emerging trends in distance education are facilitating its usability on the Internet. With the explosive growth of information sources available on the WWW, Web mining has become suitable for keeping pace with the trends in education, such as mass customization. In this paper, we define Web mining and present an overview of distance education. We describe the possibilities of application of Web mining to distance education, and, consequently, show that the use of Web mining for educational purposes is of great interest.
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paper_title: Development of Web customize system for sharing educational resources

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Recently, the Internet has become very widely used and the number of Web pages has been increasing. The authors believe that it is possible for many Web pages to become educational materials. Therefore, they focus on a learning environment using Web pages. They propose a novel framework called WECE (Web based Educational Customize Environment). WECE adds knowledge (annotations, questions, answers, etc.) to any Web pages. WECE is a new approach that introduces a customizing layer model into WWW systems. In addition, the authors develop a prototype WECE system which is called "Web-Retracer". Introducing Web-Retracer to a classroom may reduce a teacher's burden in selecting teaching materials for the learners. The teacher can select the contents of the teaching materials without considering the learner's level.
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paper_title: IMMPS: a multimedia presentation design system

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Our interactive multimedia presentation development system uses artificial intelligence to specify knowledge inheritance relations between presentation windows. An object-oriented multimedia database organizes resources and presentations, and a database browser facilitates object reuse. The system runs under Windows 95 and can be used for general-purpose presentations or for education, training, or product demonstrations.
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paper_title: A live video imaging method for capturing presentation information in distance learning

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We propose a novel approach of video imaging method suitable to support distance learning. Automatic active camera control and video selection system visualizes presentation information of a lecturer and active students. We consider the dynamic situation of the lecture to determine the appropriate target object to be shot which gives remote students live lecture information. We have implemented our method and used it in several distance learning courses held between Kyoto University and UCLA.
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paper_title: Online learning control by association and reinforcement

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This paper focuses on a systematic treatment for developing a generic online learning control system based on the fundamental principle of reinforcement learning or more specifically neural dynamic programming. This online learning system improves its performance over time in two aspects: 1) it learns from its own mistakes through the reinforcement signal from the external environment and tries to reinforce its action to improve future performance; and 2) system states associated with the positive reinforcement is memorized through a network learning process where in the future, similar states will be more positively associated with a control action leading to a positive reinforcement. A successful candidate of online learning control design is introduced. Real-time learning algorithms is derived for individual components in the learning system. Some analytical insight is provided to give guidelines on the learning process took place in each module of the online learning control system.
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paper_title: Web-based Virtual Classroom

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In this study, an agent based Virtual Classroom defined within the Virtual University is presented. A set of agents of the same type is responsible for handling different users and their requests. The classroom represents an interface between the students and a virtual professor and should provide personalized learning materials. The Virtual Classroom system is Web based and its usage is intuitive, although the content provided to students, changes accordingly to its affinities for subjects and media types.
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paper_title: Supporting Well-Engineered Web Documentation Development – a Multimedia Software Engineering Approach toward Virtual University Courseware Designs

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Distance learning has become a very important mechanism for virtual university operation. In order to realize such an operation smoothly, it is necessary to consider distance learning from three perspectives: administration, awareness, and assessment. We are currently implementing a virtual university environment according to these guidelines. In this paper, we propose part of such a supporting environment of the Multimedia Macro-University project.1 One of the most important focuses is a Web course development paradigm. Web documents are increasingly playing an important role in our daily life, as the Internet has become a new medium for communication and commerce. On the other hand, software development paradigms were developed to support program construction. However, these traditional paradigms do not completely fit the needs of Web document development due to the following reasons. Firstly, computer programs focus on problem solving, but Web documents focus on information delivery. Secondly, computer programs usually have a fixed size, but this is not true for Web documents, because Web documents are always evolving as if it were a living document. It is therefore necessary to investigate a new software development paradigm for developing Web documents. We propose such a new paradigm and its supporting environment, as well as software testing/metrics mechanisms for Web documents. The Web documents developed using our paradigm are stored in a Web documentation database. From a script description, to its implementation as well as testing records, the database and its interface allow the user to design Web documents as virtual courses to be used in a Web-savvy virtual library. The system is implemented as a three-tier architecture, which runs under MS Windows.
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paper_title: Using new learning technologies with multimedia

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The potential of computer-aided learning (GAL) rests in its ability to present information in different ways according to the characteristics of the learning material and the students' needs. We present five major factors for developing CAL tools-theories for learning, multimedia didactics, learning technologies, information modes in human-computer interaction, and user acceptance.
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paper_title: Multimedia courseware development using influence diagram

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Web-based distance learning programs are widely available. A few distance education platform and standards were developed or proposed. Among current software systems, it is hard to realize a strategic assessment of courseware quality. Since one of the difficulties of distance education is the load that an instructor needs to spend in courseware design, it is worthy to investigate an automatic mechanism to help an instructor to produce effective courseware. Thus, a distance learning program can proceed efficiently. We develop a mechanism for the construction of courseware structure based on the influence diagram. The mechanism can be implemented as a decision support system for the instructor to analyze the relation among course units and test units. The overall value of a courseware can be systematically analyzed.
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paper_title: Criteria of virtual university operation

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Administration, awareness and assessment (the "three A's") are the three criteria of virtual university operation. This position paper points out the basic requirements of the three A's and proposes questions regarding the operation of a virtual university.
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paper_title: Education via advanced technologies

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Advanced technologies like the World Wide Web offer interesting opportunities for improving higher education. A study done at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) focused on these matters and made several specific recommendations. Since this study was completed, a new center was established at MIT to coordinate and promote the use of advanced technologies in education, and a high-level council on educational technology was formed. After briefly peering into the future, this paper describes the study and the new center.
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paper_title: Internet course delivery-making it easier and more effective

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Since 1997, Georgia Tech has been delivering courses across the Atlantic to its sister campus in France using streaming media. Our experience has shown that there are two significant obstacles that must be overcome before faculty and students are ready to embrace this technology, and accept this delivery mechanism for distance learning courses. First, in order for faculty to become involved in the development of "online" courses, the production process must be easy and convenient. Second, before either faculty or students are willing to go "online", both must be convinced that there are advantages to an Internet-based course over video-tapes and, in fact, advantages over a classroom, such as searching and indexing, assessment, and the ability to view or re-view a lecture "on-demand". In this paper, we describe some of our efforts over the last year to overcome these obstacles. First, we describe a "turnkey" system that we have developed for producing streaming media lectures that makes the production of online courses very easy. Second, we describe some of our work in creating a database from Postscript slides that is used in a powerful and effective information retrieval system.
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paper_title: Internet-based learning by doing

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This paper presents the current trends in Internet-based training by experimental work. The authors show how to apply the "learning by doing" paradigm in Internet-based distance learning, both for academic educational environments and life-long training systems, taking into account available computer and network resources. Firstly, the different phases in the learning process are introduced. The aim of this introduction is to show to the readers the importance of the learning by doing paradigm, which is not implemented in many Internet-based educational environments. Then, they identify the most important trends in this field which can be classified into two main groups. The first one consists of accessing the real equipment through an Internet interface. The second is based on simulation, very often, Java-based simulation. Both approaches are discussed, including brief descriptions of currently available systems that implement them. Finally, these approaches are compared from different points of view. They point out the most significant variables to bear in mind and, as the readers may find a tradeoff between some of them, they also provide a graphical guide to help them in their choice.
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paper_title: Information Technology Enhanced Learning in Distance and Conventional Education

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The rapid growth of the Internet and the media-rich extensions of the World Wide Web allow new developments in the way instructors transfer knowledge to their students. There is no doubt that nothing will replace synchronous learning through face to face interaction but it is sometimes not feasible for students to attend conventional classes due to distance or time constraints. This paper presents a model for using information technology to enhance the learning experience for conventional on-campus students, as well as for those students whose circumstances require that they be asynchronous in time or space. The approach described emphasizes a solution which allows students to attend the class in real time via the Internet, or to access asynchronously digitally stored video material with hyperlinks to online training resources at any time. The proposed solution permits interaction in real-time and asynchronously among students and between students and instructor, which is a key for effective learning. In addition, the instructor maintains a significant level of spontaneity in using multimedia material prepared in advance or using conventional chalkboard or hand written materials via traditional overhead projection. The paper describes the technical issues involved and the chosen solutions to provide enhanced live and archived classes. This paper provides some comments on the evaluation of the learning experience using this method of delivery for on-campus and distance education students. Finally the authors share their vision on future trends to improve the proposed learning environment and the need for an optimal balance between expositive teaching and active learning for both synchronous and asynchronous activities.
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paper_title: Distance learning - the global challenge

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This paper analyzes the issues surrounding, and the use of distance learning technologies for education and training of the government acquisition workforces of the USA, the UK, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.
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paper_title: Active And Interactive Learning Online: A Comparison Of Web-Based And Conventional Writing Classes

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This study examines how students enrolled in two Web-based sections of a technical writing class performed compared to students enrolled in a conventional version of the class. Although no significant difference in student performance was found between the two learning conditions, our data reveal intriguing relationships between students' prior knowledge, attitudes, and learning styles and our Web-based writing environment. One finding that we focus on is that reflective, global learners performed significantly better online than active, sequential learners, whereas there was no difference between them in the conventional class. Our study highlights the complexity of effective teaching and the difficulty of making comparisons between the online and the classroom environments. In particular, we maintain that the transfer of active learning strategies to the Web is not straightforward and that interactivity as a goal of instructional Web site design requires significant elaboration.
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Title: A Survey of Distance Education Challenges and Technologies

Section 1: Introduction
Description 1: Introduce the concept of distance education, its importance, and an overview of its evolution.

Section 2: Virtual Universities and E-learning Portals
Description 2: Discuss the functionalities, target audiences, advantages, and similarities of virtual universities and e-learning portals.

Section 3: Elements of Distance Learning
Description 3: Identify and explain the fundamental elements of distance-learning programs, including policy, technology, and human resources.

Section 4: Challenges and Issues of Distance-Learning Technologies
Description 4: Examine various technical challenges and issues in distance learning, including course and user management, intelligent tutoring, and privacy concerns.

Section 5: Problems and Discussions
Description 5: Present frequently asked questions and panel discussions addressing methodological and sociological issues.

Section 6: Distance Education Technologies
Description 6: Provide an overview of the key technologies used in distance education, categorized into communication, intelligent, and educational technologies.

Section 7: Communication Technologies
Description 7: Highlight various network-based and middleware communication tools that support distance education.

Section 8: Intelligent Technologies
Description 8: Explore the application of artificial intelligence and neural networks in enhancing distance-learning systems.

Section 9: Educational Technologies
Description 9: Analyze the role of educational theories and technologies in developing effective distance education systems.

Section 10: Summary
Description 10: Summarize the survey findings, discuss the future of distance education, and propose potential technological advancements and sociological shifts that could impact the field.