Sam K.P. Ma Michael R. Lyu Department of Computer Science The Chinese University of Hong Kong A Web-based Customized Collaborative Learning Environment

Outline n What is Virtual Campus? n Logic Architecture n Technical Flow n Basic Interface n Why is scheduling worth studying? n Differences from the used time tabling problem n Personal Scheduler - Smart Scheduler (S-Scheduler) n Future Work n Conclusion

What is Virtual Campus? n Ideal study environment for the “life-long” learners n Providing Àup-to-date demanding learning materials Ápersonal study guide n Students can customize their study in own pace Delivery the “own-paced” material to the right person in any time.

Logical Architecture

Technical Flow

Basic Interface

Why is scheduling worth studying? n Practical n Expensive when it is done manually n Not require real-time response n Not need to handle noisy sensors and effectors

Differences from the used time tabling problem n Less limitations in resources No more restrictions in lecturers, rooms and the restrictions of their use Time restrictions still exist but in a relax manner

Differences from the used time tabling problem n Different purposes Used Time Table: Arranging periods, modules, rooms and lecturers to all courses in an academic year Scheduling in Virtual Campus: Producing a customized study guide for each students

Personal Scheduler - Smart Scheduler (S-Scheduler) 1. Student’s - personal preference - academic record 2. Instructor’s recommendation 3. Available resources 4. Other relevant factors S-Scheduler Proposed Study Plan Scheduler Update the student database (says, course pointers for particular student)

Future Work n Continue to Implement the mentioned functionality n Make use of JCE to build the communication channels between people in Virtual Campus n Study and implement the S-scheduler

Conclusion n State out the importance of customization n Describe the basic logical and technical flow n Describe the basic interface of Virtual Campus n Introduce the S-scheduler

Q&A Thank you

What’s in Virtual Campus? À Students n fully engage in the learning process through an interactive, dynamic environment n study personal scheduled on-line materials n accomplish group project and discussion n seek help/advice from instructors

What’s in Virtual Campus? Á Instructors n Delivery the lectures as usual, BUT through the WWW (Internet) to access students n Answer the questions from students in real- time mode (just like in traditional classroom) OR non-real mode (by or notice broad) n provide a channel for personal communication with students (collaboration - just like tutorial)

What’s in Virtual Campus?  Learning material provider n shorten the distance with students n gather the demanding materials à Personal scheduler n consultant/counseller for each student n re-arrange the order of the course material according to each student’s pace

Changing Trend of Learning Style Student-centeredteacher-centered Students’ monotonously Lecturing monotonously Active and collaborative learning Passive learning Educational Focus Teaching approach Learning Style

New Learning Process À Customized learning strategy

New Learning Process (cont’) Á Changed behavior of roles

New Learning Process (cont’) Â Relationship between demand and supply

Outlook of Virtual Campus

Components of Virtual Campus Construction Editing Management Web-based presentation HTML slides Streaming audio and video SynchronousAsynchronous Delivery of lessons Á MWPS (Multimedia Web Presentation System)

Outlook of MWPS

Outlook of MWPS (cont’)

Components of Virtual Campus  JCE (Java Collaborative Environment)