E-pSyLon: a synchronous e-learning platform for staff training in large corporations

Synchronous e-learning is becoming increasingly popular as a tool for developing human resource training plans in large corporations. A synchronous e-training platform has been designed and implemented to explore the possibilities of synchronous e-training in a large corporation. The client tool is used by learners and instructors to collaborate in real-time during e-training activities. It is based on standard protocols also used in voice over IP, which makes it inter-operable with other software and hardware devices. The functionalities offered by the client tool have been chosen based on those provided by commercial tools, but focusing on the specific characteristics of users and network conditions of corporate environments. This facilitates highly interactive synchronous e-training activities. Multimedia configuration of activities is flexible, so participants with different network link capabilities can join activities. The e-training platform has been tested in real e-training activities in ArcelorMittal Spain. The opinions of the users reflect an enhanced learning experience when using the client tool.

[1]  K. R. Jayahari,et al.  A-VIEW: Adaptive bandwidth for telepresence and large user sets in live distance education , 2010, 2010 2nd International Conference on Education Technology and Computer.

[2]  M. Reha Civanlar,et al.  RTP Payload Format for Real-Time Pointers , 2000, RFC.

[3]  Jean-Chrysostome Bolot,et al.  Control mechanisms for packet audio in the Internet , 1996, Proceedings of IEEE INFOCOM '96. Conference on Computer Communications.

[4]  Chris Boulton,et al.  A Framework for Centralized Conferencing , 2008, RFC.

[5]  Kevin C. Almeroth,et al.  The evolution of multicast: from the MBone to interdomain multicast to Internet2 deployment , 2000, IEEE Netw..

[6]  J. Mark Pullen,et al.  Network EducationWare: an open-source web-based system for synchronous distance education , 2005, IEEE Transactions on Education.

[7]  Paul E. Jones,et al.  RTP Payload for Text Conversation , 2005, RFC.

[8]  Vincenzo Di Lecce,et al.  A virtual classroom interface for student participation measurement , 2009, 2009 IEEE International Conference on Virtual Environments, Human-Computer Interfaces and Measurements Systems.

[9]  Vern Paxson End-to-end internet packet dynamics , 1999, TNET.

[10]  Arthur Tatnall,et al.  Information Technology and Educational Management in the Knowledge Society - IFIP TC3 WG3.7, 6th International Working Conference on Information Technology in Educational Management (ITEM) July 11-15, 2004, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain , 2005, ITEM.

[11]  Zheng Wang,et al.  An Architecture for Differentiated Services , 1998, RFC.

[12]  Maryam Alavi,et al.  Computer-Mediated Collaborative Learning: An Empirical Evaluation , 1994, MIS Q..

[13]  Alex C. W. Fung,et al.  Extending the Classroom , 2004 .

[14]  Henning Schulzrinne,et al.  RTP: A Transport Protocol for Real-Time Applications , 1996, RFC.

[15]  Francisco J. Suárez,et al.  A Functional Evaluation of the Commercial Platforms and Tools for Synchronous Distance e-Learning , 2007 .

[16]  Alice Breton,et al.  A synchronous communication experiment within an online distance learning program: a case study. , 2005, Telemedicine journal and e-health : the official journal of the American Telemedicine Association.

[17]  Denis Gillet,et al.  Information technology enhanced learning in distance and conventional education , 1999 .

[18]  Olivera Marjanovic,et al.  Learning and teaching in a synchronous collaborative environment , 1999, J. Comput. Assist. Learn..

[19]  Steven McCanne,et al.  vic: a flexible framework for packet video , 1995, MULTIMEDIA '95.

[20]  Mary Beth Rosson,et al.  Classroom , 2019, Keywords in Radical Geography: Antipode at 50.

[21]  Yuki Higuchi,et al.  An Interactive Multimedia Instruction System: IMPRESSION for Multipoint Synchronous Online Classroom Environment , 2006, KES.

[22]  David L. Black,et al.  An Architecture for Differentiated Service , 1998 .

[23]  Wichian Premchaiswadi,et al.  Enhancing learning systems by using virtual interactive classrooms and web-based collaborative work , 2010, IEEE EDUCON 2010 Conference.

[24]  Ruimin Shen,et al.  A Mobile Live Video Learning System for Large-Scale Learning—System Design and Evaluation , 2010, IEEE Transactions on Learning Technologies.

[25]  ZHANGLi-xia,et al.  A reliable multicast framework for light-weight sessions and application level framing , 1995 .

[26]  D. Gillet,et al.  Learning on demand-a hybrid synchronous/asynchronous approach , 2001, IEEE Trans. Educ..

[27]  Stephen E. Deering,et al.  First IETF internet audiocast , 1992, CCRV.

[28]  Francisco J. Suárez,et al.  Networking technique for synchronous e-learning platforms in corporate environments , 2009, 2009 International Symposium on Performance Evaluation of Computer & Telecommunication Systems.

[29]  Juan C. Granda,et al.  Automatic Deployment of a Communication Mesh for Synchronous e-Learning Activities , 2010, 2010 Fifth International Conference on Systems and Networks Communications.

[30]  John C. Tang,et al.  What video can and cannot do for collaboration: A case study , 2005, Multimedia Systems.

[31]  Christos Bouras,et al.  Desktop Synchronous Distance Learning Application Enhanced with Efficient Chair Control Capabilities , 2002, PDPTA.

[32]  Vern Paxson,et al.  End-to-end Internet packet dynamics , 1997, SIGCOMM '97.

[33]  Martin Weller,et al.  The distance from isolation: Why communities are the logical conclusion in e-learning , 2007, Comput. Educ..

[34]  Zongkai Yang,et al.  Research and development of web-based virtual online classroom , 2007, Comput. Educ..

[35]  Libero Nigro,et al.  An MBone-based on-demand system for cooperative off-line learning , 2001, Proceedings 27th EUROMICRO Conference. 2001: A Net Odyssey.

[36]  Jenq-Neng Hwang,et al.  A real-time interactive virtual classroom multimedia distance learning system , 2001, IEEE Trans. Multim..

[37]  Jörg Ott,et al.  The Binary Floor Control Protocol (BFCP) , 2021, RFC.

[38]  Mark Handley,et al.  SIP: Session Initiation Protocol , 1999, RFC.

[39]  David W. Johnson,et al.  Cooperative learning : increasing college faculty instructional productivity , 1991 .

[40]  Abdulmotaleb El-Saddik,et al.  Tools for transparent synchronous collaborative environments , 2006, Multimedia Tools and Applications.

[41]  Yan Zhang,et al.  An Instructor-Oriented Prototype System for Virtual Classroom , 2006, Sixth IEEE International Conference on Advanced Learning Technologies (ICALT'06).

[42]  Abu Saleh Md. Mahfujur Rahman,et al.  PECOLE: P2P multimedia collaborative environment , 2007, Multimedia Tools and Applications.

[43]  Lawrence A. Rowe,et al.  Floor control for large-scale MBone seminars , 1997, MULTIMEDIA '97.

[44]  K. Chassie The allure of e-learning , 2002 .

[45]  D.F. Garcia,et al.  Design Issues in Remote Visualization of Information in Interactive Multimedia E Learning Systems , 2008, 2008 International Conference Visualisation.

[46]  Yanru Zhong,et al.  A real-time interactive shared system for distance learning , 2006, 2006 12th International Multi-Media Modelling Conference.