E-Class - a multimedia and Web based distance learning system

In this paper, we present the development of a multimedia system for the real-time delivery of online courses. The system provides the instructor with a real-life environment to teach in a manner similar to a classroom. The instructor´s video, audio, hand-writing, drawing and slide presentations are synchronized and streamed, and at the same time the students can view the lectures online in a simulated classroom environment. One of the main strengths of this system is that the instructor´s lectures can be archived for future usage by the students. The students can interrupt the teacher and are also given the opportunity to ask questions.