Enhancing learning systems by using virtual interactive classrooms and web-based collaborative work

Abstract

There are many e-learning web sites and e-learning systems that are available with excellent content and design but they generally lack interactive response and face-to-face communication. Students cannot ask questions and get responses immediately. It is similar to one way communication for learning. However, learning is most effective when it actively constructs knowledge during group social interaction and collaboration. Therefore, this paper proposes to inspire creativity in e-learning called the virtual interactive classroom by using RTMP (Real-Time Messaging Protocol) which is a sophisticated TCP-based real-time networking protocol which supports the efficient exchange of messages, synchronized data, audio, and video. Teachers and students can publish streaming audio, video and other data messages to present streaming media with interaction or navigation. Using this virtual classroom on the internet, students can immediately interact with teachers as though they were studying in a real classroom. In addition to the virtual interactive classroom, this article also proposes using web-based collaborative work as an add-on feature to the learning system. Both teacher and student can use web-based collaborative work for sharing resources and exchanging ideas after the class. The integration of the two concepts of the virtual interactive classroom and web-based collaborative work in order to enhance teaching and learning performance has been created.