Nova Southeastern University NSUWorks CEC Theses and Dissertations College of Engineering and Computing 1996 Low Cost Video For Distance Education Michael J. Simpson Nova Southeastern University, [email protected] This document is a product of extensive research conducted at the Nova Southeastern University College of Engineering and Computing. For more information on research and degree programs at the NSU College of Engineering and Computing, please click here. Follow this and additional works at: https://nsuworks.nova.edu/gscis_etd Part of the Computer Sciences Commons Share Feedback About This Item NSUWorks Citation Michael J. Simpson. 1996. Low Cost Video For Distance Education. Doctoral dissertation. Nova Southeastern University. Retrieved from NSUWorks, Graduate School of Computer and Information Sciences. (842) https://nsuworks.nova.edu/gscis_etd/842. This Dissertation is brought to you by the College of Engineering and Computing at NSUWorks. It has been accepted for inclusion in CEC Theses and Dissertations by an authorized administrator of NSUWorks. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Low Cost Video for Distance Education by Michael J. Simpson A Dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy School of Computer and Information Sciences Nova Southeastern University 1996 We hereby certify that this dissertation, submitted by Michael J. Simpson, conforms to acceptable standards and is fully adequate in scope and quality to fulfill the dissertation requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. _______________________________________________________ Jacques C. Levin, Ph.D. Date Chairman of Dissertation Committee _______________________________________________________ John A. Scigliano, Ed.D. Date Dissertation Committee Member _______________________________________________________ Steven R. Terrell, Ed.D. Date Dissertation Committee Member Approved: _______________________________________________________ Edward Lieblein, Ph.D. Date Dean, School of Computer and Information Sciences School of Computer and Information Sciences Nova Southeastern University 1996 Certification Statement I hereby certify that this dissertation constitutes my own product and that the words or ideas of others, where used, are properly credited according to accepted standards for professional publications. _______________________________________________________ Michael J. Simpson Date An Abstract of a Dissertation Submitted to Nova Southeastern University in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements of the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Low Cost Video for Distance Education by Michael J. Simpson May, 1996 A distance education system has been designed for Nova Southeastern University (NSU). The design was based on emerging low cost video technology. The report presented the design and summarizes existing distance education efforts and technologies. The design supported multimedia electronic classrooms, and enabled students to participate in multimedia classes using standard telephone networks. Results were presented in three areas: management; courseware; and, systems. In the area of management, the report recommended that the University separately establish, fund, and staff the distance education project. Supporting rationale was included. In the area of courseware, the importance of quality courseware was highlighted. It was found that the development of distance education courseware was difficult; nevertheless, quality courseware was the key to a successful distance education program. In the area of systems, component level designs were presented for a student system, a university host, and a support system. Networks connecting the systems were addressed. Michael J. Simpson The student system was based on widely available multimedia systems. The host system supported up to sixteen participants in a single class. The support system was designed for the development of courseware and the support of future projects in distance education. The report included supporting Proof of Principle demonstrations. These demonstrations showed that low cost video systems had utility at speeds as low as 7.2 kbps. They also showed that high quality student images were not crucial to the system. The report included three alternate implementation strategies. The initial capability could be operational in 1997. A multi-session, 2000 user system was projected for early in the next century. Acknowledgments I would like to express my sincere appreciation to the individuals who have supported me and contributed to this effort. First and foremost, I would like to thank the committee Chairman, Dr. Jacques C. Levin, and the committee members--Dr. John A. Scigliano and Dr. Steven R. Terrell. Dr. Levin has proved to be an outstanding educator, and I feel fortunate to have had the opportunity to work with him. I am grateful to Dr. Scigliano for sharing his vision and experience in distance education, and to Dr. Terrell for his insights on distance education. I am extremely indebted to these educators for their extensive efforts on my behalf. I would also like to thank Dr. Edward Lieblein for encouraging me to attend NSU, and to my wife Maureen who helped keep up my spirits through the dissertation. Lastly, I dedicate this work to my sons, Scott and Neal, in the hope that they find the joy of life-long learning. Table of Contents Abstract iv List of Figures xi List of Tables xvi Chapter I. Introduction Problem, Objective, and Solution 1 Background 2 Relationship To Other MMECR Efforts 3 Relevance and Significance 6 Elements Investigated 10 Barriers and Issues 12 Limitations of the Study 14 Definition of Terms 15 Summary 15 II. Review of the Literature Introduction 16 Management of Distance Education Projects 16 Courseware 30 Systems 34 An Introduction to DeskTop VTCs 34 Applicable Standards 38 Student Equipment 45 Compression And Compression Technology 49 Video Servers 62 Networks For Distance Education 67 The Copper Loop 68 Analog Modems and ISDN Adapters 70 POTS and ISDN 74 The Internet 76 Local Area Networks 79 Other Networks 80 Network Summary 85 Recent Dissertations and Research 86 A Text on VTC and Distance Education 89 Summary 89 vii Table of Contents (Continued) III. Methodology Introduction 91 The Goals, Barriers, and Tasks 91 Task 1: Demonstrate Feasibility 93 Task 2: Perform the Literature Search 99 Task 3: Define the Requirements for NSU 102 Introduction 102 Student System Requirements 103 NSU Host Requirements 104 Support System Requirement 105 Summary 106 Task 4: Consolidate the Data 106 Task 5: Define a Systems Concept 106 Task 6: Survey and Select Components 107 Introduction 107 Hardware Components 108 Support Software 110 Summary 113 Task 7: Design the Operational Software 113 Task 8: Issues and Recommendations 115 Summary 115 IV. Results Introduction 118 Task 1: Demonstrate Feasibility 118 Introduction 118 Demonstration Results 118 The Kileen Findings 120 Observations on Networks 121 The Faculty Comments 122 Summary 125 Task 2: Perform the Literature Search 127 Task 3: Define the Requirements for NSU 128 Introduction 128 Requirements from the ECR Analysis 129 Requirements from the MMECR Group 129 Requirements Allocated by Component 132 Summary 132 viii Table of Contents (Continued) Task 4: Consolidate the Data 132 Introduction 132 Major Findings: Management 133 Major Findings: Courseware 140 Major Findings: Systems 141 Major Findings: Networks 142 Bandwidth Findings for MMECR Levels 144 Summary 145 Task 5: Define a Systems Concept 145 Introduction 145 Initial Screen & Operational Concept 146 Final Screen & Operational Concept 149 The Student System Concept 152 NSU Host Concept 152 Support System Concept 154 Summary 154 Task 6: Survey and Select Components 155 Introduction 155 Components for the Student System 158 Components for NSU Host 160 Network Interface Alternatives 161 Alternative 1: Video Servers 162 Alternative 2: Multipoint VTC Service 169 Alternative 3: Network Hub 173 Advantages and Disadvantage 174 Components for the Support System 174 Support Software Components 180 Summary 183 Task 7: Design the Operational Software 185 Introduction 185 Standards Based 186 Software Codec 187 Table Driven with Prioritized Bandwidth 189 Flexible Networks 190 Modular Operational Software 190 Controlled Bandwidth for Performance 192 Scalable for Lower Risk 193 Summary 195 Task 8: Issues and Recommendations 197 Introduction 197 Management 198 Courseware 200 Systems and Networks 201 Summary 202 ix Table of Contents (Continued) V. Conclusions 204 Introduction 204 The Research Areas 205 Management 206 Courseware 208 Systems and Networks 208 The Four Goals 209 Developments in Technology 209 Determine the Requirements at NSU 210 Identify Designs for NSU 211 Recommend a Design 212 The MMECR Group 212 Future Research Areas 214 Summary 215 Appendix A. Information Sources 216 B. Multimedia ECR Pages 220 C. Selected Product Information 225 Connectix Camera 226 Motorola BitRUNR Hub 232 Hayes Century Rack 235 US Robotics Enterprise Hubs 238 D. Biography 241 References 243 Glossary 265 List of Abbreviations 275 x List of Figures Figure 1. ECR Evolution 4 2. MMECR Products and Areas of Interest 5 3. Elements to be Investigated 10 4. System and Network Elements Investigated 11 5. Critical Areas in Systems and Networks 12 6. Critical Areas and Tradeoffs 13 7. Issues: Purdue Distance Education 17 8. Management Issues at the Univ. of Hawaii 19 9. Findings at the University of Hawaii 20 10. Efforts