Synchronized streaming media in VLSI education

Synchronized streaming media (SSM) is a mechanism for presenting educational materials either via the Internet or for local delivery from a bulk storage device like a CD or DVD. The term Synchronized Streaming Media refers to a presentation which consists of still images, text, or slides delivered in synchronization with either an audio or a video narration. The goal of SSM is to simulate a lecture situation for students working in a remote learning environment. Early attempts at developing remote learning focused on distributing class notes electronically. Today students can benefit from hearing a lecture as well as seeing materials being presented. Using SSM, students are able to control the rate of the presentation, to explore supplementary material; they can call up ancillary problem solving tools, and use the rich environment of a computing system as they view a lecture. This rich learning environment has been shown to improve the overall understanding and comprehension obtained by students in a variety of technical courses. This talk describes how SSM has been used in an introductory course on VLSI design. Methods developing SSM presentations are described and strategies for effectively using SSM technology in this environment are discussed.