Advanced database functions for distance education system: VIEW Classroom

We have been developing an important application of distributed systems: a distance education system called VIEW Classroom. Conventional distance education systems use video images of teachers and selected students when required. From its initial stages, this system has taken a non-video base (although video function can be utilized) and tried to use database technology extensively in order to assist the whole range of teaching and learning activities. Typical features of VIEW Classroom are presented. (1) Asynchronous interaction support: many conventional education systems are based on synchronous interaction, though asynchronous interaction can be also realized by object oriented database functions. (2) Database views: teacher and student can see different teaching materials if required. (3) Question-answer database: in order to answer questions issued by students, previously asked questions are stored together with corresponding answers in question-answer databases for such a purpose. (4) Database to analyze student achievement: we store abstracted information of student actions during the lecture, which can be used to improve the teaching material. The database can be regarded as a kind of temporal database which also stores past achievement data on each student. Extensive use of such database technology is a promising way for next generation distance education systems.