Abstract:

Data transmission technologies have experienced great development in recent years. The level of broadband penetration in Romania exceeds 45% of the total population (June 2016). Almost all Internet-connected computers are equipped with webcams and microphones, which can play video and audio smoothly. So the ground is prepared for a revolution in virtual learning. This paper demonstrates that implementing video-conference sessions with multimedia elements in an e-learning platform requires basic technical knowledge and accessible hardware.

This paper proposes a web server architecture that contains an open-source e-learning platform dedicated to asynchronous activity and a platform dedicated to organizing webinars (Internet held seminars). It is also proposed a Google Apps implementation, using the web application suite offered by Google: Gmail, Google Docs, and Google Calendar. Gmail application runs in its own web server, providing local email addresses. The Google Apps set allows each actor involved in using the application to have its own email address on which integrated chat and documents editing into collaborative e-work systems are used. The webmeeting platform is available for free for up to 200 participants, and the costs of implementing the system are relatively low.

The platform dedicated to virtual courses, Moodle, is extensively used worldwide. It can be installed for free and allows the formation of e-classes by posting various documents related to subjects taught and organizing testing of students. Basically, through this application conventional teaching activities are transitioned into a virtual environment. All these activities, except one, make contact (more or less) directly with students. In this regard, the DimDim WebMeeting application dedicated to video-conferencing on Internet is used. The application provides whiteboard, screen-casting ability and URL-sharing, but also the possibility to upload PDF or PPT files and virtual presentations. Moreover, up to 3 webcam and 5 microphone slots are available in order to facilitate communication between participants.

This system has introduced a wide range of applicability, in both corporate and academia environments. Basically any university could open doors to webmeeting sessions in distance education with low-cost installation. Once implemented (as we did at the Polytechnic University of Bucharest) the platform can be used for providing services to students in any university. Web conferencing platforms can be integrated with any web application via an URL-based API. This way, web conferences can be configured and generated and user access links can be created. The collaborative documents editing can streamline e-teaching involving teams (e.g., research papers, term projects, graduation works, etc.).

The video-conference platform can be used for organizing scientific sessions or training with remote lecturers. Also, teachers can plan counseling sessions or inter-departmental meetings. Various events held in the campus can be live broadcasted on the Internet, for free or for a fee, thus creating a possible new financial influx channel. Moreover, teachers can provide course material on a single platform, while creating a virtual library freely accessible to all students. This paper shows that implementing video-conference sessions with multimedia components in an e-learning environment is easy to do and requires minimal technical knowledge and low-cost infrastructure.

Keywords:

Adaptive e-learning, Virtual class, Multimedia streaming, E-courses, Webinars, Webmeeting, Web technologies, Technology-enhanced learning, Open-source platforms.