Keiko Okawa

Collaborating Remote Computer Laboratory and Distance Learning Approach for Hands-on IT Education

This paper studies the innovative methodology for developing IT education from the traditional face-to-face model to full capability of distance learning by combining a remote computer laboratory and a distance e-learning environment. There are three approaches presented with different implementations of laboratory technologies and learning models. The design challenge is to address the limitations of resources at region-wide learning sites, cost-effectiveness and scalability. Computer virtualization and StarBED computing testbed can achieve a larger scale of laboratory size with less cost of equipment and administration workload. The live learning environment ensures quality of realtime communications during lecture and lab sessions by employing IPv6 Multicast on a satellite UDLR network. The self-paced learning environment is proposed to enable a flexible schedule, resource reusability, and scalability. The lab supervision system is the key component to enhance teaching effectiveness in the self-paced hands-on practice by systematically automating the lab supervision skills of lecturers. These approaches have been evaluated as feasible, cost-effective and scalable by the real implementations of similar Asia-wide workshops. Trade-off overheads and analysis on technology and pedagogy perspectives are made to compare their characteristics.

Internet Technologies and Infrastructure for Asia-Wide Distance Education

SOI Asia project aims at Asia-wide distance education development with its design emphasizing on new model of network technologies that provides wide-coverage high-quality network to support high-quality distance education instead of relying on the available Internet connectivity with inadequate quality. A 13-Mbps unidirectional broadcast satellite covers Asia region enabling lecture sharing among student sites. IPv6 multicast overlay network is established by UDLR and IPv6 tunnel technologies to create a virtual network connecting lecturer-site and student-sites on top of network heterogeneity. Bandwidth optimization and scalability are achieved by IPv6 multicast. QoS using policy routing and ALTQ utilizes and manages bandwidth to ensure high quality lectures. Experiment results show that SOI Asia environment delivers better quality streams with stable rate, high correlation, low data loss and jitter compared to the available Internet connectivity. These design aspects, technology model and experimental results can be the considerations of future region-wide distance education development

Establishment of a lecture environment using Internet technology via satellite communication in Asian countries

This paper proposes a higher education distance learning system using video, audio, and character-based communications via the Internet, to sites where for various reasons, sufficient network infrastructure using cables and fibers cannot be installed. The aim of this research is to create a way of delivering a lecture to those for whom it would otherwise be inaccessible. We succeeded in building a distance learning system with sufficient of video and audio quality based on Internet technology using satellite communication.

The design and implementation of data dissemination application using multicast over a satellite network

This paper describes the design and implementation of a data dissemination application for the satellite Internet using uni-directional links. The satellite network is suitable for multicasting, and uni-directional link routing (UDLR) technology allows ease of construction. However the conventional data sharing method is uncongenial to a UDLR network because this network has many receivers on a flat satellite segment, and the return terrestrial link is narrow and cannot be shared. In order to solve these problems, we proposed an application for multicast data dissemination. It is based on NACK and receiver-initiative. All required parameters and requested data are sent out by a sender and a receiver receives data according only to a set of specific parameters sent by the sender. NACKs received by the sender within a time period which is configured by the receiver are distributed. We applied and evaluated this system on a satellite network.

The deployment of UDL network on satellite circuit with training workshop

This paper concerns the deployment of the Internet over satellite circuits. A lack of operators is problematic to the spread this technology. In order to overcome this obstacle, this paper addresses training of the networks operators. In Internet operation, not only technical issues, but also issues regarding communication between operators become important when configuring routing setups such as BGP. Therefore, an operator learning workshop intended to provide knowledge and experience regarding the networks operation was held in Japan. Through this workshop operators learned to configure routers by themselves and solve problems when they occur. The workshop was also intended to foster a sense of community among its participants, which will help facilitate the configuring of a routing protocol such as BGP.

A Remote Hands-on Exercise Environment for an Asia-Wide Real-Time Workshop

This paper discusses the problems of conducting a real-time workshop, where the instructors and the participants are located in different places, and the participants should perform hands-on lab exercises using computers that are located in another place. To address this problem, we implemented a remote hands-on exercise environment using virtual machines and a low-bandwidth remote console access. In this environment, the instructors can monitor each participants exercise progress thus they can give specific feedbacks to the participants. We evaluated this environment using a real-time online workshop. We found that it was easy to setup, and participants had a good user-experience using this environment

An Asia-Wide Realtime Distributed Hands-On Workshop

E-learning has made possible to conduct trainings online. However, region-wide trainings that require hands-on practice still need lecturers and participants at the same location. This requires huge resources on travel budget, time, equipments and staff. This paper proposes a region-wide distributed model of realtime hands-on workshop using distance learning and remote virtualization environment. The proposed model was implemented for SOI Asia operator training during 22-26 August 2006 inviting 42 participants from 19 institutions in 10 Asian countries. The workshop proved to have significant reduces in travel budget, lab preparation time and equipments compared to ordinary workshop model held in the previous year. Feedbacks show 95% of the participants evaluated this workshop is effective for their future operations. Accordingly, this workshop model is practical and resource-optimized model for region-wide human resource development. This paper can be a useful information source for future development and improvement of region-wide remote workshops

IN360: A 360-Degree-Video Platform to Change Students Preconceived Notions on Their Career

To motivate primary school students in Indonesia to learn more, career inspiration sessions are usually held by communities of professionals. However, these activities face limitations such as time, distance and physical infrastructure. We propose IN360, which is an exploration of alternative media to deliver career education to elementary students in remote, undeveloped and frontier area in Indonesia utilizing digital platform and 360-degree-video. The goals of this research are twofold; (1) to create a sustainable system or model for career education content using 360-degree-video format and (2) to deliver it through a digital platform.

Message from the Organizers of the Workshop on Educational Challenges to Deploy the Internet

We have more and more educational topics around the Internet. This workshop mainly focuses them on educational challenges to deploy the current Internet environment and the next generation IP networks. Some may be on how to share technical knowledge and experiences with the regions where the Internet environments are insufficiently developed or the other may be on advanced trials using ubiquitous networks. Even though the Internet is necessary information infrastructure, there is still a big difference in conveniences between enough developed regions and others. On the other hand, we face unknown problems to deploy IPv6 and ubiquitous environment. In the workshop, we will discuss to solve these problems from technical and social sciences point of view.