Development of Interactive Multimedia Education System (IMES) as an International Education Platform

Abstract

In this paper we present an Interactive Multimedia Education System (IMES) that emphasizes the interactivity of distance education, i.e. it enables both instructors and students to see each others' faces, and enables high defi nition sharing of discussion materials with bi-directional laser pointer tracks enabling instructors and students to show what they are pointing at as they speak. A key characteristic of this system is comprehensive collaboration and equal participation from all sites connected to the course. This paper explains the key technological elements of IMES in conducting multipoint, two-way remote courses with universities in Asia and Africa, and then describes out of these the most important "basic video transmission technology," "presentation material sharing system," "screen/pointer action sharing system," and "offl ine features including recording and editing."