InfoVision Multimedia Server: Education On Demand

Syracuse Language Systems, in collaboration with the the Northeast Parallel Architectures Center at Syracuse University, has demonstrated that TriplePlay, a commercially available, single-user educational software title for foreign language instruction, can be successfully furnished to remote sites using networked multimedia client-server architecture. The performance quality of the software at the remote network sites is equal to that available at a single-user station.

In a planned larger project, several participating schools in New York State will have access to Syracuse Language Systems' software through the NYNET high-speed ATM-based network. In tests performed to date, which will serve as a model for the larger project, Syracuse Language Systems' single user software was uploaded onto a high-speed NPAC file server connected to NYNET, NYNEX's high-speed broadband network. Using currently available networking software technology, TriplePlay was made accessible across the NYNET, on remote personal computers.

The approach adopted to port the Syracuse Language Systems educational software has also been extended to support most if not all the existing commercial PC-based software currently stored on CD-ROM technology. To demonstrate the generality of our approach, we have ported on NPAC server another CD-ROM software, developed by ... . This software brings with vivid color and animation the celebrated art collection of the National Gallery in London to the PC users. The software allows users to explore all 2000 paintings in the collection, and see all the enlightening details of the unique techniques of the great masters through animated segments that offer a closer look at the composition, brushwork and color.

The success of this demonstration is a significant first step, allowing the project to move forward. On a larger scale, the possible outcomes are exciting to all involved in the project. Among the possibilities, we see the following as likely:

Build a multimedia database that can store all commercially available educational software so it can be accessed from remote sites across a high-speed network. The multimedia server can be built using existing NPAC facilities such as NCUBE, IBM-SP1, or on a cluster of Alpha workstations.
Develop the network interface software so the InfoVision Multimedia Educational Server is accessible through either NYNET or directly using ISDN network.
Test and evaluate the value of this server in education when it serves schools throughout New York State.
Initial hardware and software upgrade costs will both be lowered. At a lower cost per terminal, the number of PCs available to students could significantly increase; each PC can run the educational software without the need to have a CD-ROM driver and a copy of the CD-ROM software.
Software providers can upload new materials, time-sequenced installments, lessons or workbooks, updates or additions, as the curriculum requires. Users across the network will benefit from efficient, uniform dissemination of information.
Software installation and maintenance costs at remote sites will be much lower.
Software on networks may also become available to students learning at home, thus overcoming physical location as a barrier to education.

Syracuse Language Systems, the commercial outgrowth of a Syracuse University research project and a neighbor to Syracuse University, is pleased to participate in this test and in the ongoing project across New York state, in which technology is used to enhance the quality and expand the availability of educational resources.