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Given by Tom Scavo at HiPCAT Clark Atlanta on March 5-6 1998. Foils prepared 9 April 98
Outside Index
Summary of Material
| Asynchronous learning materials are necessary but not sufficient is most cases. A significant majority of learners require regular and sustained interaction (that is, synchronous learning activities) involving teachers and other learners |
| See JSU Fall 97 technical report: http://www.npac.syr.edu/users/trscavo/jsufall97/ |
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Synchronous Distance Learning with TANGO
Basic Assumption
The Course
Online Resources
TANGO
TANGO Components
Audio Conferencing
Technical Requirements
Support Personnel
Network Requirements
Network Performance
Network Difficulties
Network Solutions
Dual Server Architecture
Other Limitations
Lessons Learned
Outside Index
Summary of Material
HTML version of Basic Foils prepared 9 April 98 
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| Tom Scavo |
| Northeast Parallel Architectures Center |
| Syracuse University |
| Presented at HiPCAT 98 |
| (High Performance Computing Application and Technology) |
| March 5-6 1998 |
| Clark Atlanta University |
HTML version of Basic Foils prepared 9 April 98
Full HTML Index
| Asynchronous learning materials are necessary but not sufficient is most cases. A significant majority of learners require regular and sustained interaction (that is, synchronous learning activities) involving teachers and other learners |
| See JSU Fall 97 technical report: http://www.npac.syr.edu/users/trscavo/jsufall97/ |
HTML version of Basic Foils prepared 9 April 98
Full HTML Index
| Jackson State University, CSC 499, Programming for the Web |
| Equivalent to SU course CPS 406 |
| Topics: HTML, CGI, Perl, and Java |
| Lectures via TANGO: Tue/Thu, 2:30--4pm central time, Aug 18 to Dec 10, 1997 |
| Assignments posted, submitted, and graded on the web |
HTML version of Basic Foils prepared 9 April 98
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| Used existing web-based course material (lectures, tutorials, examples) for asynch-ronous learning and classroom presentation |
| Course home page: http://www.npac.syr.edu/projects/jsufall97/ |
| Majordomo mailing list |
| Post Office, a browser-based e-mail system |
HTML version of Basic Foils prepared 9 April 98
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| TANGO is a Java-based web collaboratory http://www.npac.syr.edu/tango/ |
| Runs inside an ordinary browser window |
| Real-time, multimedia content delivery |
| Authentic, two-way interactive format |
| Built on top of asynchronous knowledge repositories |
HTML version of Basic Foils prepared 9 April 98
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| Control Application --- primary TANGO window |
| WebWisdom --- access to over 400 lectures |
| BuenaVista --- streaming audio and video |
| 2D and 3D Chat tools |
| SharedBrowser --- "pushes" web documents onto client workstations |
| WhiteBoard --- text and graphics display |
HTML version of Basic Foils prepared 9 April 98
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| Audio capabilities are crucial! |
| Teachers need audio for lecturing and students need audio to ask questions |
| Barriers: bandwidth, latency, jitter |
| Possible solutions: chat, headsets, RaiseHand tool, speakerphone |
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| Guaranteed quality, high-bandwidth network connection |
| Lab of high-end multimedia PCs, preferably one per student |
| Servers on both ends |
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| NPAC technical support: TANGO development, network support |
| JSU technical support: lab assistance, software maintenance, server adminstration |
| JSU faculty laison: administrative support, monitoring, feedback |
| NPAC administrative support: grading, copying |
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| Consistent quality of service |
| Efficient packet routing and delivery |
| Guaranteed bandwidth (~100 Kbps) |
| Minimal end-to-end latency (< 0.5 sec) |
| No jitter (audio/video suffers as a result) |
| No packet loss |
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Nysernet-Sprint-ICP-BBNplanet:
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Nysernet-Sprint-ICP-DREN:
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| Packet loss varies between 0% and 15% (with 6% packet loss not uncommon) |
HTML version of Basic Foils prepared 9 April 98
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| Internet bandwidth is never good enough! |
| Current Internet connection is unpredictable with highly variable packet loss |
| Latency and jitter affect audio quality |
HTML version of Basic Foils prepared 9 April 98
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| Installed T1 line between JSU and CEWES |
| Rerouted traffic from Sprint to DREN |
| Mirrored NPAC web server at JSU |
| Installed Tango server on SGI Indy at JSU |
| Installed BuenaVista on dedicated SGI O2 at JSU |
| Installed a speakerphone for emergencies |
HTML version of Basic Foils prepared 9 April 98
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| NPAC server (www.npac.syr.edu) mirrored at JSU (jsutango.wes.hpc.mil) |
| Instead of sending full text of documents, TANGO would (in essence) transmit a simple URL |
| This architecture had minimal bandwidth requirements and was extremely efficient |
HTML version of Basic Foils prepared 9 April 98
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| Students were not accustomed to reading their e-mail every day, let alone attending remote lectures |
| Students had little or no web experience |
| We encountered a very different academic culture at JSU |
| Students did not have PCs at home |
HTML version of Basic Foils prepared 9 April 98
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| A repository of web material is essential |
| Internet bandwidth will not support video |
| Audio is doable, but precautions must be taken to insure quality of service |
| An instructor on the receiving end is a plus |
| Hold lectures during the morning hours |
| Periodic face-to-face meetings are needed |