E-learning with telescope

Within the modern hi-tech world,we are able to converse with people half way around the world with a click of the computer mouse. Well, the field of astronomy is no exception and give us a new instrutors.

School teachers know that reality is one of the greatest instructors. Chem-class explosions, telescope observations, and biology field trips can generate faster real learning than textbooks. And the discovery and adventure that accompany such experiences are powerful drivers for inspiring students to continue learning. Some e-Learning products and materials might even be more effective if they also pulled real-time, real-world data and videos into student training.

The challenge, of course, is doing it! Several techniques can help: * Tapping real-world web sites and cams. * Merging streaming real-world videos with online LMS training screens. * Bringing reality into course reference materials.

This article discusses the first of these. And when they appear in the future, Documentation and e-Learning (Parts 5 and 6) will present the others.

To date, documentation and e-Learning developers have come closest to bringing reality into their products when they include Flash animations that show how to perform procedures. But these are predesigned presentations. They may look interactive, but their presentation of information and reaction to user actions are all pre-planned. There is no real exploration in them to fire student interest.

Tapping Real-World Web Sites and Cams

If you already play Flash movies in online course pages, it won't be a huge technical leap to similarly stream real-time web sites or live video to them. It could even be quite easy.

Product origin:sanbobo