An integrated distance learning system capable of supporting interactions for asynchronous distance learning

In recent years, as the demand grows for taking lectures without the limitation of time and place by those who have jobs and require life-long education, expectations are increasing for the implementation of a distance learning system. However, in most existing asynchronous distance learning systems, the images shown on screen are limited to images of the teacher with synchronized digital documents used in lectures. Since these systems have not been able to convey interactions between a teacher and students, the educational effectiveness is lower than the traditional lecture. This paper describes a distance learning system, which supports interactions between a teacher and students in asynchronous distance learning. During synchronous distance learning, this system can record interactions automatically with XML. It can provide recorded interactions to students who are studying asynchronously. An important point to emphasize is not only synchronizing digital documents with recorded lecture video but also synchronizing recorded interactions with digital documents and lecture video. Moreover, in order to support interactions, this system also links similar questions together and can suggest the most meaningful question.