On the Internet-Mediated TV-Like Distance Learning Services

Abstract

The Internet-mediated distance learning has received a lot of attention in both universities and corporations in the past few years. With the proliferation of new network and multimedia technologies, there is an increasing need for delivering TV-like video lectures. The Cisco IP/TV system has been widely used as an efficient platform in supporting TV-like lectures in MPEG-1 format. However, since it relies on Microsoft multimedia technology, IP/TV cannot be architecture-neutral. Further, in spite that a Web interface to IP/TV is provided, it lacks in application program interfaces to endorse the development of interaction applications between instructors and students. Both limitations can be relieved by appealing to the emerging Java technology. However, playing RTP/MPEG objects using JMF (Java Media Framework) is a non-trivial task. This paper presents a novel Java-based TV-like distance learning system by integrating Cisco IP/TV and Java JMF technology so that the superiority of both models can be complemented. In particular, we enhance the JMF engine to make playing RTP/MPEG media objects over the Internet possible. This system offers two learning modes, namely on-demand learning via unicast connection and scheduled learning via multicast connection. A course sample and its performance evaluation are illustrated to validate the effectiveness and efficiency of delivering TV-like courseware. Furthermore, synchronous distance learning services can be implemented at less cost.