telepoly a high quality broadband multimedia transmission...

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TELEPOLY

A High Quality Broadband Multimedia

Transmission System for

Synchronous Interactive TeleteachingDr. H. Hänni, P. Kunz

Network for Educational Technology (NET)

Dr. Th. WalterComputer Engineering and Networks Laboratory (TIK)

Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, Zurich

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Content

n Introduction

n The TELEPOLY System of

ETHZ and EPFL

n Using the TELEPOLY

System

n Some further info...

H. Hänni

Th. Walter

P. Kunz (live from ETHZ)

H. Hänni

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Introduction

Dr. H. Hänni, Network for Educational Technology(NET)

[email protected]

http://www.net.ethz.ch


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ICT in T&L: Status and Tendencies

n New possibilities increasingly known/recognized

n Course-related information is put onto the WWWl See: ArgusClearinghouse, Yahoo, World Lecture Hall

etc.

n Virtual classrooms and universities appearl NDIT/FPIT, ETH World, Univ. of Berkeley Extension

etc.

n Networks of virtual universities are set upl Virtuelle Hochschule Baden-Württemberg (D)l Western Governors University (USA)l Virtual Campus Switzerland

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Status and Tendencies (2)

n Important conferences:l Syllabus Annual Conference (California, USA, July)l Educause Annual Conference (USA, Oct./Nov.)l LearnTec (Karlsruhe, D, Feb.)

n -> Coherent picture at Syllabus ‘99:l Communication medium/technology of the (near) future

is the Web:l … Web Course Authoring/Management Systemsl … Web technology on- and off-linel … Streaming technology for audio/video

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Status and Tendencies (3)

n Asynchronous communication and Web-based T&Lenvironments dominate

n But: Learning is a social process!Sometimes people want to communicate “live”

n Therefore:

We need high quality synchronous communicationsystems as well!

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Our Persuasion

The ideal virtual T&L environment ...

n is a hybrid ofteacher centered (teacher-driven) andlearner centered (learner-driven) components

n consists of networked (Web-based), multimedia,asynchronous and synchronous components

TELEPOLY and its successor Easy Teach & Learnare leading solutions for the synchronous part of thevirtual T&L system

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The TELEPOLY System

of ETHZ and EPFL

Dr. Th. WalterComputer Engineering and Networks Laboratory (TIK)

[email protected]

http://www.tik.ee.ethz.ch

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History

n TELEPOLY became operational in January 1996with two partners: EPF Lausanne and ETH Zürich

n Late 1996, the Swiss Centre for ScientificComputing (CSCS) Manno joined Telepoly

n Since October 1998, University of Basel isactively participating in TELEPOLY

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Technical Approach

n Use of advanced technology for audio and videoprocessing.

n ATM (Asynchronous Transfer Mode) network forhigh data rates and low delays with guaranteedquality-of-service.

n Application or screen sharing tools for electronicteaching aids in a distributed environment.

n Use of off-the-shelf products.

screen forremoteclassroom

screen for slides,documents

screen for slides,documents

screen forlocalclassroom

screen forlecturer

local

localclassroom

lecturer

remote

remoteclassroom

PC for slides

PC for slides

screen sharing

Teleteaching System TELEPOLY

documentcamera(visualizer)

classroomcamera

lecturercamera(auto-tracking)

classroomcamera

A VAV AV V V

A: AudioV: Video

cell stackATM switch

ATM-Network155 Mbits/s

cell stackATM switch

A VV V

microphonemicrophone

microphone

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Video Quality

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

Students 502 66 20 20 9

Professionals 122 14 4 0 0

TV-Quality < TV-QualityPicture quality not important

Others No statement

Survey: Technical Requirements

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Audio Quality

0

100

200

300

400

Students 380 191 8 27 11


CD Phone Not important Others No statement


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Students

0

100

200

300

400

500

not imp. 6 30 5 26

less imp. 26 197 20 148

important 222 260 172 251

very imp. 357 121 406 189

no statem. 6 9 14 3

Audio Quality Picture of TeacherPicture of

Teaching Docs.Interactivity


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Using the TELEPOLY System:

Course in Pharmaceutical Chemistry

ETHZ and University of Basle

P. Kunz, NET

[email protected]



ENZYME Beispiel: HSV1- Thymidinkinase

ENZYMEENZYME als targets für eine therapeutischeIntervention

BiochemicalPathways

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Prof. Folkers,Zürich

Prof. Ernst,Basel

Course duration: 2 years

7. & 9.semesterstudentstogether

Problem:Problem:The students of theThe students of the different different semesterssemesters do donotnot have the same knowledge base have the same knowledge base

Up to SS 1999:Up to SS 1999:Students ofStudents of 2 different 2 different semesterssemesters in in oneonecoursecourse

Situation

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TheThe pharmaceuticalpharmaceutical departementsdepartementsofof Basel Basel and and Zürich Zürich areareestablishingestablishing a a competence centrecompetence centre

Problem:Problem:The students of theThe students of the different different locationslocationsdodo not not have the same knowledge base have the same knowledge base

Situation

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OfferOffer oneone separate separate course forcourse for eacheachsemestersemester

Problem 1:Problem 1:1.1. LecturersLecturers cannot allocate morecannot allocate more time time for theirfor their

coursescourses

SolutionSolution::Cooperation of the two lecturersCooperation of the two lecturers::üü They produce one common course and share theThey produce one common course and share the

slidesslidesüü Each of them teachesEach of them teaches just just one course one course

i.e. noti.e. not more than before more than before

Solution 1

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Each course is held Each course is held in just in just oneonelocationlocation

Problem 2:Problem 2:2.2. HowHow to to share courses between share courses between Basel Basel and and Zürich? Zürich?

SolutionSolution::Use of theUse of the TELEPOLY TELEPOLY system system::

üü LiveLive transmission of the lectures between transmission of the lectures between Basel Baselandand Zürich Zürich

Solution 2

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4. year

7. semester 8. semester

Prof. Ernst,Basel


5. year

9. semester 10. semester

Prof. Ernst,Basel


WS 99/00 SS 00 WS 00/01

Open LearningEnvironment

TELEPOLY transmission

Situation

Tele-Lecture

TELEPOLYtransmission

Tele-Lecture


Tele-Lecture


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1 W 1 W 1 W 1 W

Tele-Seminars

TELEPOLY in an Open Learning Environment

Combination of Tele-Lecture & Individual Work

3 W 3 W 3 W

Individual, goal oriented work with:script, exercices, books, WWW

Tutorials

10. semester

Subject tests

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Some Further Info...

Dr. H. Hänni, Network for Educational Technology(NET)



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Initiatives at ETH Zurich

n Network for Educational Technology (NET)l Founded in 1996, official Start: January 1st, 1997l Scans the scene and provides information, consulting,

support to instructorsl Initiates and supports projects

n ETH Worldl Planning started in 1999l Virtual (reality) extension of the physical campuses and

facilities of the ETH

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NET Activities

Information/Communication/

Events

Networking Projects

Teachers’ support

AssessmentInnovation


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NET Events

n Information blocks, seminars, workshops, demos

n Introductory courses for teaching staff

n Live transmissionsl Using TELEPOLY or ISDN-based Systems

NET annual meeting at ETHl Next: Nov. 5, 1999, 9:15 - 17:00l Title: "Teach locally - learn globally”l See NET-Website: www.net.ethz.ch

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Telepoly Research Issues

n Network support for dialogue-oriented, isochronousservices.

n Technical equipment to be utilised, such as advancedcommunication devices for ATM and workstations.

n Synchronous and interactive teleteaching as adidactic concept in support of higher education.

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Telepoly Scenario

DataBeamer

Audio

Video

Video

AudioVideo Video

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Telepoly Scenario

Data

Audio Video

Video Video

Aud

io

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Media Processing

CODEC

CellStacks

Master

Slave

Slave

STM-1

155Mb/s

ATM

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Multiparty Teleteaching

ATM Network

EPFL

CODECETHZ

CODEC

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Multiparty Teleteaching

ATM Network

EPFL

CODECETHZ

CODEC

CODEC CSCS

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Application/Screen Sharing

ETHZ EPFL/CSCS/UNIBAS

TCP/IP TCP/IP

INTERNET/ATM

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Technical Criteria

n Video of sufficient quality (TV quality);

n Very good audio quality (close to CD quality);

n Perfect audio and video synchronization;

n Facilities for electronic presentations;

n Reliability and stability throughout sessions.

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Telepoly: Advanced Technology

n Multi-directional, digital multimedia informationexchange over ATM (< 155 MBits/s) with guaranteedquality of service:

n TV-quality video over several independent channelsl Usually 3 channels

n CD-quality audiol Very important! (See survey)

n Good synchronization between sound and image

n Full interaction possibilities for all participants

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Telepoly: Do we need it?

n Face-to-face meetings will remain important

n Good mix of learner-centered and teacher-centeredmethods required

n Thus:An effective Distance Education (DE) system mustconsist of asynchronous and synchronous parts

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Telepoly: Benefits

n Synchronous sharing of T&L eventsl Special courses, colloquia, seminars etc.l Extends course programsl Saves resources including working and production time

n Promising environment for DEl Courses, seminars etc. may in future be interactively

transmitted over TV-channels to any place

n Bridging traditional and new T&Ll Faculty teaching via Telepoly are encouraged to use

ICT-based teaching aids

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Experiences: General

n Technique works well!l >200 transmissions performed,l 1 major transmission failure only (due to Swisscom)

n Used for lectures, conferences, colloquia, exams,sessions

n Very suitable for teleteaching and teleconferencing!

n Natural situation, unreached by any other system

n Somewhat slower lecturing progress due to thehandling of the devices etc.

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Experiences: Participants...

n Are mostly positive (“Very good transmission” etc.)l Some cultural differences

n Adapt quite quickly to the situationl Some cultural differences

n Are not irritated by short/minor technical problems

n Are very concentrated and motivated

n Ask/answer questions (even in English!)

n Want to have eye-contact with lecturer!

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Didactical Requirements

n Same as in traditional teaching...l Good presentationl Good time managementl Enough animation

n ... plus proper use of the medial Media training required!

n Especially important:l Encourage students to interact/ask questionsl Introduce variety, avoid monotonyl Enough breaks

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Technical requirements: Survey

n Questionnaires sent out tol To 540 people from industry -> 140 backl To 2300 students (6th to 8th semester) -> 628 back

n Questionsl Video Quality?l Audio Quality?l Value of Teleteaching

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Professionals

0

20

40

60

80

not imp. 4 19 4 14

less imp. 40 52 10 40

important 57 49 56 55

very imp. 39 20 70 31

no statement 0 0 0 0

Audio quality Picture of TeacherPicture of

Teaching Docs.Interactivity


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0

50

100

150

200

250

300

350

Students 32 210 313 58 4


not at all a little valuable very val. no statem.

Value of synchr. interact. Teleteaching


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User Ratings

n Video quality was good.

26%

45%

26%0%

0%3%

Fully agree

In generalyesHalf-half

In general no

Do not agree

No reply

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User Ratings

n Audio was good.

61%

36%3%0%

0% 0%

Fully agree

In generalyesHalf-half

In general no

Do not agree

No reply

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User Ratings

n Video and audio was lip-synchronized.

82%

18% 0%0% 0% 0% Fully agree

In general yesHalf-halfIn general noDo not agreeNo reply

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Learning Environments

Face to Face

ICT:

Individual Learning:• Mastery Learning• Self-Efficacy

Independence of• Time• Place

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Learning Environments

Face to Face

Individual Learning:

ICT:

Open learning environmentTelepolylecture

Traditional lecture

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t Transmission Basel�� <=> Züricht Quasiexperimental Fieldstudy:

ünormal course with final examinationü long duration: 2 semestersümixed, quite large sample

General Conditions

Problem:Impacts on lecture must beminimized

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Eva

luat

ion

Des

ign

Normal Lecture withdigital Media

SS 99: Zürich

Basel

Telepoly LectureWS 99/00:

Zürich Basel Basel Zürich

Tutorials

Open Learning Environment:Combination of Telepoly Lecture & Individual Work

1 W 3 WSS 00: 1 W 3 W 1 W 3 W 1 W

Questionnaires

Normal Lecture withtraditional Media

WS 98/99:Zürich

Basel

Subject Tests

Semester: total 13-14 Weeks

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1. Acceptance

2. Learning effectiveness

3. Motivation

4. Learning Strategies

Examined Variables

telepoly a high quality broadband multimedia transmission...

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