Development and application of a distance learning support system using personal computers via the Internet

A distance learning support system using the Internet for communication, which can support 40 personal computers, has been developed. The system supports audio and video communication channels. During Q&A sessions, the teacher and one student can communicate with each other through audio and video equipment. The system is also equipped with two shared cursors (one for the teacher the other for the students) and the Blackboard system and Note system for students. The system has been tested on three different kinds of classes (a lecture on human interface engineering, an exercise on applied mathematics II, and a lecture on high frequency engineering). The results of distance learning experiments suggested: (1) After applying the system to actual classes, we found that the system required the additional functions of a randomly controlled remote-control camera, card materials transfer and an interlocking market. (2) We found that student participants in distance learning felt as if they were in the same building as the teacher. Students wanted to take more distance learning classes, about six times out of 15 times on average. (3) There were seldom questions during school hours. We must improve the Q&A function to increase the number of questions from students