University of Houston
Department of Computer Science
In partial fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of
Master of Science
Yue Liu
will defend her thesis
Development of Web-Based Tool
in a Distance Learning Environment
Abstract
In many cases, time, location, or cost constraints mean that the traditional approach to higher education is not viable and distance education methods have to be applied. From the instructors. perspective, an easy-to-use, integrated content authoring and delivery distance learning tool is urgently needed. This paper describes the use of World Wide Web and Java technology for creating a web based distance learning tool, called Lecture Producer. The purpose of creating this tool is to help instructors to develop and deliver on line courses. By using this tool, instructors can quickly create on-line lecture materials that contain various media components (e.g. text, image, animation, and audio clip), and effortlessly deliver them either synchronously or asynchronously to the students. browsers. The main characteristics of this authoring tool are the ease of use (for the instructor, whose competencies in general do not include professional computer skills), the ease of maintenance (for the site administrator), and the flexibility and the availability of the contents (for the student). The proposed Lecture Producer is written in 100-percent Java in order to provide excellent portability, and reach the maximum number of content authors. Content delivery is done via HTTP connection established between a Java servlet running in a Tomcat web server and Java applets executed in students. browsers. Students who have the connection to the Internet (no matter they sit behind a firewall or not) can take the on-line class anywhere and at any time.
Date: Tuesday, April 24, 2002
Time: 3:00 PM
Place: 550-PGH
Faculty, students, and the general public are invited.
Thesis Advisor: Dr. Stephen Huang