Use of instructional material in universal teleteaching environments

Abstract

This article classifies teaching media, which are used in teleteaching and traditional forms of instruction. A definition for flexible teleteaching solutions is given and a list of requirements for universal teleteaching environments is named. Criteria such as variability, quality, scalability and cost effectiveness are considered in the light of a flexible teleteaching solution. In addition an environment constructed with these criteria in mind is presented, as it is currently being realised under the auspices of the ‘Multimedia Teleteaching—MMTT’ project of the DFN-Verein (Association for Promoting a German Research Network) at the department of information systems at the University of Erlangen-Nuremberg. While developing the concept particular consideration has been attached to the high quality which is to be expected of the various teaching media. Experiences from this and the preceding project ‘Multimedia based decentralisation of interdisciplinary teaching’, which was also sponsored by the DFN-Verein, are to prove that the integration of conventional and electronic teaching media can, under certain circumstances, fulfil all the outlined criteria. The article closes with an overview of a possible future teleteaching environment in cyberspace and the ensuing renaissance of conventional teaching materials.