Multimedia-based Distance Education on the Internet: Challenges and Experiences

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