JP2002297011A - Remote education system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To realize a remote education system, which enables each student to proceed with learning according to a curriculum as planned and to maintain a full cooperative relationship with other students and which enables improvememt in working efficiency on the side of teachers or educational facilities. SOLUTION: The remote education system is provide with a lecture package database 36 for storing a lecture package for each lecture containing moving images or voice data concerning the lecture, a subject management database 38 for recording the schedule of lecture of each subject and the period, during which the lecture package ca be delivered and the period during which an electronic bulletin board can be written-in, and a subject management section 32, which when receiving a request from a student's personal computer 18 via the Internet 19 for displaying the schedule of a specific subject, refers to the subject management database 38 and generates a schedule table showing the lecture package, which can be distributed on-line at the time and the bulletin board which can be written-in at the time, then transmits the schedule table to the personal computer 18.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0101]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a distance learning system, and more particularly, to a user who resides in a remote place by connecting an educational institution such as a university to an individual via a communication network such as the Internet. The present invention relates to a system capable of efficiently providing advanced education.

[0092]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, the importance of improving the skills of individual workers has begun to be recognized due to the collapse of the lifetime employment system and the seniority-based wage system, and the re-education of members of society has become a boom. The importance of lifelong education has long been called out on the premise of an aging society with a low birthrate. In recent years, higher education institutions, such as universities and vocational schools, have implemented special entrance examinations for members of society, organized open colleges, and enhanced evening courses in order to respond to the vigorous learning needs of members of society. We are focusing on

In particular, recently, with the development of information and communication technologies centering on personal computers and the Internet, distance education that is different from conventional distance learning has begun to be put into practical use. For example, it has been practiced to edit the contents of a lecture at a university into a package including moving images and audio, accumulate the contents on a distribution server, and distribute the contents online to each student via the Internet.
Working people tend to have irregular times due to work and housework, and it is generally difficult to secure time for commuting.
Such a so-called on-demand type education system can be said to be convenient for a business person who has a large time constraint because the learning schedule can be adjusted to his / her own life pattern. In addition, by introducing such a distance education system, it is possible to provide not only working adults but also local residents with the same educational opportunity as in the center.

[0093]

As described above, the distance learning system via the communication network has the potential to efficiently provide advanced education to learners of all levels regardless of age or region. Although it has potential, the reality is that in a conventional network-based education system, very few students can complete the curriculum to the end. The first reason is that the advantage of studying at your favorite time at home works in reverse, and the sense of security that you can learn at any time "do it together later"
It is conceivable that it is thrown out on the way eventually.

Second, since learning by one person is fundamental, there is no sense of irritation or tension, and there is a feeling of isolation and frustration. There was no other side. Of course, by using the e-mail, electronic bulletin board function on the Web, and the chat function, it is possible to add interactivity to distance education that tends to be one-way and foster a sense of solidarity with instructors and other students It is possible to some extent. However, since each student is studying on his / her own schedule, it is not possible to guarantee that many students will participate in a discussion on a specific theme at the same time, which tends to lack enthusiasm.

Even from the perspective of a lecturer in charge of a lecture, it can be said that it is more efficient to intensively instruct or evaluate each theme within a certain period. Also, for educational institutions, it is not always desirable for inquiries, questions, reports, etc. from individual students to be sent sporadically as long as possible. improves.

The present invention has been devised to solve the above-mentioned problems of the conventional distance learning system, in which each trainee has a certain degree of tension and digests the curriculum as planned. In the process, it is possible to maintain a sufficient cooperative relationship with other students, and to realize a distance education system that can improve the work efficiency of the instructor and educational institution side I have.

[0098]

In order to achieve the above object, a distance education system according to claim 1 provides a lecture package edited on the basis of a moving image or audio data containing a lecture pattern. Lecture package storage means to be stored for each subject, and for each subject, a lecture schedule, a deliverable period of a lecture package associated with each lecture, and a writable period of an electronic bulletin board associated with each lecture are recorded. If there is an output requesting the display of a schedule related to a specific subject from the student's terminal via the communication network, the subject management information storage means can be referred to the subject management information storage means and online distribution is possible at this time. Means to generate a schedule table on which a lecture package and a writable electronic bulletin board are displayed at the present time, and transmit the schedule table to the student terminal; Means for extracting the lecture package from the lecture package storage means and distributing the lecture package to the student's terminal when there is an output requesting the distribution of the lecture package displayed as being available for online distribution in the schedule table If there is an output requesting writing to the electronic bulletin board displayed as writable in the above schedule table from the student's terminal, take the input form that allows writing to the relevant bulletin board Means for transmitting to the student terminal, and means for storing the comment message in the bulletin board information storage means in association with the student when the message is transmitted from the student terminal using the input form. It is characterized by having. As described above, the distribution period of the lecture package is set in advance in the subject management information storage means, and the distribution of the lecture package is performed only during the period. Therefore, each student collectively takes the lecture later. It will be impossible to do so and it will be possible to receive distance education as planned with a certain level of tension. In addition, since the time limit for writing to the electronic bulletin board related to the lecture is also set, each student has to intensively discuss a common theme within a limited period, and naturally Discussions can be heated up. In addition, due to the existence of the above-mentioned time limit, the curriculum will proceed according to schedule, so that educational institutes operating distance learning systems and instructors in charge of lectures will be able to streamline office work and educational guidance. There are advantages.

The distance education system according to claim 2 further comprises means for recording information indicating that the lecture package has been distributed in the lecture history storage means when distribution of the lecture package to the student terminal is completed. And in this way,
By recording the fact that each student has received the lecture package, it is possible to grasp the progress of each student's learning and to use it as an attendance point when evaluating grades later. It becomes possible.

[0010] According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a distance learning system, wherein a request to view a message on an electronic bulletin board associated with a specific lecture is output from a terminal of an instructor in charge of each subject via a communication network. Means for extracting the relevant message from the bulletin board information storage means and transmitting the message to the terminal of the instructor; and, when the evaluation point information for the specific message is output from the terminal of the instructor, the evaluation point is determined by the comment Means for storing in the evaluation point storage means in association with the message. As described above, if the instructor can add an evaluation point to the content of each student's remarks on the electronic bulletin board related to the lecture, the discussion between the students via the electronic bulletin board becomes more active. It can be.

[0011] In the distance education system according to the fourth aspect, a reference request for an evaluation point for the comment message of each student taking the subject via the communication network is output from the terminal of the instructor in charge of each subject. In this case, there is provided a means for searching the evaluation point storage means, calculating the total value of the evaluation points for each student, and transmitting the total value to the terminal of the instructor. As a result, when the instructor evaluates the grade at the end of the semester or the like, the past evaluation points of each student can be easily grasped, and the efficiency of the evaluation work can be improved.

In the distance education system according to the fifth aspect, the presence / absence of an assignment for each lecture, the content of the assignment, and the period during which the assignment can be submitted are recorded in the subject management information storage means. If there is an output requesting the display of a schedule for a specific subject in the above, by referring to the above-mentioned subject management information storage means, a schedule table showing assignments that can be submitted at the present time is generated and stored in the student terminal. Means for transmitting, and means for transmitting information regarding the subject to the student terminal when there is an output requesting transmission of the subject indicated as one that can be submitted to the schedule table from the student terminal. And means for storing the answer data in the assignment storage means when the answer data for the assignment is transmitted from the student's terminal. In this way, by setting a fixed time limit for the submission of the answer to the assignment, each student can handle the assignment regularly. Also,
Educational institutions and lecturers also have the advantage of easier schedule management.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the case where a request for viewing the response data of each student is output from the terminal of the instructor in charge of each subject via the communication network, the distance education system according to the sixth aspect of the present invention stores the relevant data in the assignment storage means. Means for extracting the response data and transmitting it to the terminal of the instructor; and, when the evaluation point information for each response data is output from the terminal of the instructor, the evaluation point is associated with the response data and the evaluation point storage means. And means for recording the information.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the distance learning system, a reference request for an evaluation point with respect to the answer data of each student taking the subject via a communication network is output from a terminal of an instructor in charge of each subject. In this case, there is provided a means for searching the evaluation point storage means, calculating a total value of the evaluation points for each student, and transmitting the total value to the terminal of the instructor.

In the distance education system according to the present invention, the presence / absence of live distribution and the date and time are recorded in the subject management information storage means for each lecture, and a specific subject is provided from a student terminal via a communication network. Means for generating a schedule table indicating the scheduled date and time of live distribution with reference to the subject management information storage means when there is an output requesting display of a schedule related to, and transmitting the schedule table to the student terminal; Means for distributing, in real time, video and audio data recording a pattern of the lecture to the student terminal in a case where there is an output requesting the live distribution of the lecture from the student terminal at the corresponding date and time of the live distribution; If there is an output requesting writing to the electronic bulletin board associated with the live lecture from the student's terminal, an input permitting writing to the relevant bulletin board Means for transmitting the form to the student's terminal, and when a message is sent from the student's terminal using the above input form, the message is sent to the terminal in the classroom where the live lecture is being held in real time. And means for transmitting to As a result, it becomes possible to notify each student in advance of the schedule for live distribution of the lecture. Also, during the course of the live lecture, each student can interact with the instructor and other students in real time via the electronic bulletin board, which can alleviate the feeling of isolation related to distance education.

The distance education system according to the ninth aspect is provided with a means for recording information indicating the completion of the course in the course history storage unit when the distribution of the data related to the live lecture to the student terminal is completed. It is characterized by: In this way, by recording the fact that each student has received the delivery of the live lecture, it becomes possible to use the student as an attendance point when performing a grade evaluation later.

[0017]

FIG. 1 shows an overall image of a distance learning system 10 according to the present invention. A center server 12 managed by an educational institution such as a university or a vocational school, which is an operator of the system 10, is shown. And a live lecture delivery processing server 14 installed in a classroom 13 of an educational institution, a live lecture reception processing server 16 installed in a satellite classroom 15 in a local or on-campus, The teaching personal computer 17 and the personal computer 18 located at the home, workplace, and school of the student who takes the remote class using the system 10 are connected to the Internet 19, a dedicated line 20, or a satellite communication line (not shown). ) And the like.

The center server 12 has a WWW (World Wid
e Web) Server function, BBS (Electronic bulletin board) server function, mail server function, application server function, database server function, DNS server function, etc. are actually provided by connecting multiple workstations and personal computers to the network. It is configured.

First, an overall flow of a distance education system using the system 10 will be outlined. First, the distance learning system 10 is based on the premise that there is a lecture for general students in an educational institution such as a university. In a classroom 13 in the university, a lecturer gives a lecture, for example, once a week. The state of this lecture is photographed by a digital video camera 21 installed in the classroom 13, and the voice picked up by the microphone is also digitally recorded at the same time. The digital data of the moving images and sounds recorded in the classroom 13 and other studios is later edited on the personal computer 17 by the instructor's own hands, and various kinds of moving images, sounds, still images, texts, etc. One lecture package (multimedia package) including important data is generated. This lecture package is stored in the center server 12 via the communication network, and is provided for each student to browse.

In this lecture package, a certain browsable period is set in advance. During this period, each student accesses the center server 12 from the personal computer 18 via the Internet 19 and downloads the multimedia data. Or receive streaming distribution. Students who have viewed this lecture package during the period discuss the theme of the lecture with other students on an electronic bulletin board (BBS) associated with the lecture package installed in the website of the center server 12. be able to. A certain time limit is also set in advance for the use of the electronic bulletin board, and after this time limit, new remarks are rejected, and only viewing of past discussions is permitted. The instructor observes the discussions on the electronic bulletin board in a timely manner. If the issues deviate from the essence of the theme, make necessary remarks and follow up. In addition, the instructor assigns an evaluation score to each student's remarks as needed.

Although it is possible to proceed to the end of the curriculum only with the above-mentioned on-demand type lecture, it is desirable to deliver the live lecture pattern several times on the way to each student in real time. For example, at the end of a semester or at the guidance provided at the start of a lecture, the trainee accesses the center server 12 with the personal computer 18 for the lecture and adjusts the digital camera 21 and the microphone in the classroom 13 according to the actual lecture start time in the classroom 13. Browse the video and audio data recorded in real time. At this time, if there is a question on the participant's side, a question message is uploaded through an electronic bulletin board for a live lecture.

A large monitor 22 is installed in the live classroom 13, and a question is displayed on the electronic bulletin board and displayed on the monitor 22 at the same time. The instructor reads the question immediately and answers verbally on the spot. Since this state is reproduced on the student's personal computer screen as it is, the questioner can obtain the instructor's answer in real time. Of course, the students in the live classroom 13 and the students can communicate with each other through the electronic bulletin board instead of the instructor.

[0023] By providing the above-mentioned live lecture opportunities at key points in the lecture schedule, it is possible for a student in a remote place to directly ask a daily question to the instructor, and a sense of solidarity with other students is also provided. Because it is cultivated, the learning effect can be enhanced. The above-mentioned live lectures are also distributed in real time in satellite classrooms 15 away from the university campus, and students who attend the classrooms can use
You can participate in live lectures via 18 or large monitor 22. This live lecture was recorded in a dedicated studio with only instructors and staff in addition to the classroom 13 with students as described above, and attended each student's personal computer 18 and satellite classrooms 15 installed inside and outside the campus It can be distributed to students in real time.

At the end of the semester or the end of the school year, the instructor evaluates the performance of each student and recognizes the credits. The evaluation criteria at this time include, for example, the reception history of each lecture package and the participation history of the live lecture.
These correspond to "points of attendance" in regular lectures. Alternatively, it is also possible to obligate the submission of a report and the response to a quiz for each lecture package, and determine the degree of achievement based on the degree and content of these submissions. Further, the score can be evaluated based on the number of utterances on the electronic bulletin board and the total evaluation score given by the instructor for each utterance.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration related to a process of implementing distance education in the system 10. The center server 12 includes a live lecture distribution unit 30, a lecture package distribution unit 31, and a subject management unit 32. And electronic bulletin board processing unit 33
, An assignment processing unit 34, an authentication unit 35, a lecture package database 36, an attendance history database 37, a subject management database 38, a statement database 39, an assignment database 40, a student database 41, and an instructor database.
42 and. The above-mentioned live lecture distribution section 30, lecture package distribution section 31, subject management section 32, electronic bulletin board processing section 33,
The task processing unit 34 and the authentication unit 35 are realized by the CPU of the computer constituting the center server 12 executing necessary processing according to the OS and the dedicated program. The lecture package database 36, the attendance history database 37, the subject management database 38, the statement database 3
9. The assignment database 40, the student database 41, and the instructor database 42 are stored in the hard disk of the computer.

First, a user who wishes to take a distance education using this system performs an enrollment procedure with the system operator in advance, and secures a space for registering his / her data in the student database 41. Need to be kept.
This admission procedure can be performed by actually visiting the educational institution, or can be completed online via the Internet 19. In this case, the user accesses the website of the center server 12 from the personal computer 18 at home,
Receive the web page for the admission procedure. As a result, a predetermined input form is displayed (not shown) on the user's personal computer screen, and input of necessary items is required. In contrast, the user has his / her name, address, date of birth, age, telephone number, e-mail address, educational background, work history,
Information such as a work address and a work telephone number is input from a keyboard and transmitted to the system 10. In addition, when payment of an enrollment fee or tuition is required, it is necessary to complete the settlement in advance using a credit card or electronic money. As described above, after the necessary items have been input and settled, the user is registered in the student database 41 as a student. At the time of this registration, an ID and a password unique to the student are issued from the center server 12.

[0027] A student who has been permitted to enter the school on a fine day is required to select subjects to be taken within a certain period and complete the registration procedure. Specifically, the Web of the center server 12
Access the site and select "Subject Registration" from the service menu. As a result, a list of subjects that can be selected by the student is displayed on the screen of the attending personal computer 18 (not shown). When the subject description in this list is read, and the subject of interest is checked and transmitted, the ID of the user and the code of the subject are stored in the subject management database 38 and the attendance history database 37 of the center server 12. Registered after associating.

The lecturer is required to create a lecture package for each lecture and store it in the lecture package database 36. That is, after the lecture in the classroom 13 is completed, the center server 12 is accessed from the teaching personal computer 17 via the school network (LAN) or the Internet 19, recorded by the digital camera 21 or the microphone, and stored in the center server 12. The lecture data is streamed and played on the personal computer 17. At this time, a dedicated application program for editing teaching materials has been activated on the teaching personal computer 17, and replenishment data is designated at an appropriate timing while observing the state of the user's lecture displayed in the moving image playback window. For example, when the content of the story shifts to another theme, the reproduction of the moving image is stopped and a title that briefly indicates the theme is input from the keyboard of the personal computer 17. Upon receiving this, the center server 12 executes a process of inserting the input text character into the corresponding frame of the moving image. Or,
When the instructor specifies a specific graph or a file name and a display position of a still image, the center server 12 executes a process of pasting the still image in the corresponding frame. At this time, moving image / audio data recorded in another studio can be added. When one lecture package is created as described above, it is converted into a predetermined file format and stored in the lecture package database 36.
Thereafter, the student is allowed to play the lecture package on his / her own personal computer 18 only for a certain period.

Hereinafter, the processing procedure when the student attends the on-demand lecture will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. First, the student accesses the Web site of the center server 12 via the Internet 19, and selects "Train" from the service menu. From the center server 12 that has received the attendance request (S10), a Web page requesting the input of the student ID and password is transmitted (S1).
1). On the other hand, when the student inputs and transmits his / her ID and password, the authentication unit 35 receiving the input (S12)
The entered password is compared with the password registered in the student database 41. Here, when the validity of the student is authenticated (S13), the subject management unit 32 generates a list of subjects selected by the student and transmits the list to the personal computer 18 of the student (S14).

When a specific subject, for example, "Multimedia Overview" is selected from the list, the subject management unit 32 that has received the selection (S15) reads the data in the subject management database 38 and generates a lecture schedule table. Is transmitted to the student's personal computer 18 (S16). As a result, a lecture schedule table 43 for the subject is displayed on the student's personal computer screen as shown in FIG. This lecture schedule table 43
In the “on-demand lecture” column 44, information related to the distribution of the lecture package is described, and in the “learning period” column 44a, a period during which each student can receive the distribution is displayed. . By the way, in the case of the lecture package of the lecture day "00/04/19", the course period is set to "04/19-04/22", and since the period has already passed, "Lecture" column 44b shows "Lecture". "End", that is, that the distribution cannot be received. Although “not yet” is displayed in the adjacent “history” column 44c, indicating that the student has not attended the course, the opportunity for the student to take the lecture this time has been closed.

On the other hand, in the case of the lecture package of the lecture day “00/04/26”, the course period has already passed from “04/26 to 04/29”, but the “history” column 44c has "Done"
This indicates that the student has already taken the course. In the case of a lecture package of “00/05/10” on the lecture day, since it is still in the period of attendance of “05/10 to 05/13”, the “Lecture” column
A "take" button 45 is displayed at 44b. When the student clicks the "take course" button 45 and requests distribution of the lecture package on the relevant lecture day, the lecture package distribution unit 31 receiving the request (S17) downloads the relevant lecture package from the lecture package database 36. The content is extracted, and distribution to the students 18 is started (S18). Simultaneously with the start of the reception of the lecture package, a moving image reproducing program is automatically started on the student's personal computer 18, and the contents of the lecture package are streamed and reproduced.

When the lecture package distribution unit 31 determines that the lecture package has been completely distributed to the student, information indicating the completion of the lecture is recorded in the lecture history database 37 (S19). As a result, when the student again displays the schedule table 43 of FIG. 4 on the personal computer screen, “Done” is displayed in the “History” column of the lecture date “00/05/10”. Become. It should be noted that even after completing the lecture package once, it is possible to receive and review the distribution many times during the lecture period.

As described above, a student who has viewed one lecture package is required to have a discussion with another student on an electronic bulletin board dedicated to the lecture within a certain period. For example, in the lecture package of the lecture day “00/05/10”, “05/10 to 05/16” is displayed in the “writing period” column 46a of the “discussion” column 46, and
The deadline is set to speak between the day and the 16th. Then, when the student clicks the "participation" button 47 in the "BBS" column 46b, the electronic bulletin board processing unit 33 receiving this clicks (S
20) Extract the message associated with the ID of the bulletin board from the statement database 39, and
Is transmitted to S18 (S21). As a result, a statement message of another student related to the lecture is displayed as a tree on the student's personal computer screen (not shown).

After browsing the contents of comments made by other students, click "Comment" to make a comment related to the opinion of another student, or click "New Comment" to present a new issue. Click on "" for an opportunity to speak. The electronic bulletin board processing unit 33 receiving this (S22) transmits a form for inputting a comment to the student's personal computer 18 (S22).
twenty three). On the other hand, the student inputs his / her opinion in the above form using the keyboard of the personal computer 18, and
Send to 12. Electronic bulletin board processing unit 33 receiving this
(S24), associates the message with the student ID, and registers it in the statement database 39 (S25).

On the other hand, regarding the lecture on April 26,
"April 26-May 2" is set as a writable period, and since it has already passed, past discussions can be viewed by clicking the "Browse" button 48, It is not possible to newly write the contents of the lecture. The "Number of cases" column in the "Discussion" column 46
46c indicates the total number of remarks on the bulletin board.
The column 46d shows the number of comments made by the student in the column 46d.

The discussion on the electronic bulletin board is also viewed by the instructor as appropriate. If the discussion between the students is likely to be derailed, or if the student falls into a circle, a follow-up remark from the instructor's viewpoint is made. And arbitrate the discussion. The instructor can also evaluate each student's statement. For example, if the instructor finds that a student is developing a very sharp opinion, he or she may add one to five additional buttons (not shown) displayed on the screen of the personal computer 17.
Is selectively clicked, and an evaluation point is associated with the comment. In the center server 12 receiving this, the electronic bulletin board processing unit 33 causes the code of the comment or the
The evaluation point information is associated with the ID and stored in the comment database 39. FIG. 5 shows an example of data items in the comment database 39. The evaluation points are controlled by the electronic bulletin board processing unit 33 so as to be displayed on the instructor's personal computer screen but not to be displayed on each student's personal computer screen.

As described above, the period during which the lecture can be taken and the period during which the electronic bulletin board can be written are set for each lecture, and after the period elapses, the opportunity to attend or speak is lost. The curriculum will be partially enforced according to a certain schedule. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the relationship between the attendable period and the writable period. In this case, on-demand courses will be discontinued in four days after the end of the lecture (strictly after completion of the lecture package upload), while discussions on the electronic bulletin board will be available from the end of the lecture to the day before the next lecture. Is set. As a result, each student will be able to complete the course by the first half of the week and concentrate on the discussion in the second half.

Note that this time limit setting is merely an example, and is ultimately set by a lecturer in charge of each lecture. The schedule settings for each subject are set in the subject management database 38, and are stored in the subject management department.
32 is controlled by reference. FIG. 7 shows an example of data items in the subject management database 38.

The "assignment" column 49 of the schedule table 43 indicates whether or not assignments such as reports and quizzes are set in relation to the lecture. Here, when the student clicks the "Yes" button 50 to request display of the assignment, the assignment processing unit 34 receiving the request (S26) extracts the assignment data associated with the lecture from the assignment database 40, Send to the student's PC 18 (S2
7). As a result, the theme of the report, the questions of the quiz, and the submission deadline are displayed on the student's personal computer screen. On the other hand, the student inputs necessary items in the answer column of the web page, and then transmits it to the center server 12.
The assignment processing unit 34 receiving this (S28) stores the answer data in the assignment database 40 in association with the student ID (S29). If the submission deadline has already passed by the time the response data has been transmitted from the student, the receipt of the response data will be rejected based on a command from the subject management unit 32. At the point in time when the submission deadline has elapsed, the text of "deadline" is displayed in the "assignment" column 49 of the schedule table 43, and it becomes impossible to browse the assignment itself.

The instructor accesses the Web site of the center server 12 in a timely manner, displays the response data of each student stored in the assignment database 40 through the assignment processing unit 34 on the personal computer screen, and evaluates the score according to the content. Will be added. The evaluation point information assigned by the instructor is registered in the assignment database 40 after being associated with the student ID by the assignment processing unit 34.

When the "plan" button 52 is displayed in the "live" column 51 of the schedule table 43, it indicates that the lecture is a subject of the live lecture. In this case, when the student displays the schedule table 43 on the personal computer screen at the relevant date and time, the "learn" button is displayed instead of the "schedule" button 52. When this is clicked, the live lecture distribution section 30 is displayed. Through the classroom 13, video and audio data of the lecture scene being delivered in the classroom 13 are delivered to the student's personal computer 18 almost in real time. The video / audio data is streamed and played back on the student's personal computer 18, so that the user can enjoy a sense of presence as if he were participating in a classroom lecture.

Moreover, since the question-and-answer session using the electronic bulletin board is executed, the student at the remote place can directly hear the answer to the usual questions from the lecturer's mouth. That is, in the classroom 13 for performing live lectures, in addition to data recording equipment such as a digital video camera 21 and a microphone, a liquid crystal projector and a large monitor 22 are installed, and the lectures transmitted from the electronic bulletin board processing unit 33 are provided. The message on the electronic bulletin board is displayed in real time. For this reason, if a student at a remote location uploads a question to the electronic bulletin board via the Internet 19 during class,
The question content is immediately displayed on the monitor 22. When the lecturer responds orally, the video and audio are reproduced on the student's personal computer 18. Of course, not only the instructor, but also the students in the classroom 13 can speak in response to questions and opinions on the bulletin board.

In the case of this live lecture, since it is necessary to go to the personal computer 18 during the lecture time,
It is not practical to require all students to participate,
It is advisable to take the course as much as possible, because you can feel the tension of the lecture and interact more deeply with other students and instructors. Of course, after the live lecture, the lecture package is generated by the instructor and uploaded to the lecture package database 36, as in the case of the normal lecture, so that students who could not participate in the live lecture also take on-demand courses later You can.

As described above, this live lecture is recorded not only in the classroom 13 where students are present but also in a dedicated studio where only instructors and staff are present, and the personal computers 18 of each student and satellite classrooms installed inside and outside the campus. It can also be distributed in real time to students who attended the meeting.

The frequency and timing of conducting this live lecture is left to the discretion of the instructor in charge of each lecture, but it is desirable to set a live lecture at each milestone of the class. . FIG. 8 shows an example of an implementation schedule of a live lecture. In the case of a lecture which is completed by all 16 lectures, one lecture is given for every four on-demand lectures.
Times live lectures are set. This live lecture is
It performs the same function as schooling, which has been used in traditional telecommunications universities.However, there is no need to visit the university, and real-time two-way communication with instructors and students can be done while at home. There are advantages that can be achieved.

In order to realize two-way communication in distance education, use of a video conference system has been conventionally attempted. Certainly, it can be said that a video conferencing system that can exchange video and audio in both directions at the same time is excellent for a relatively small number of students, but if there are tens or hundreds of students However, there is a problem that the switching control of the speaker becomes complicated, and the collection becomes difficult. On the other hand, in the case of a live lecture in this system 10, the video and audio are distributed only from the classroom 13 side, and the students are limited to transmitting information via the electronic bulletin board, so that the order is maintained in an orderly manner Two-way communication can be realized.

According to the schedule shown in FIG. 4, when the whole course of the lecture is completed, the instructor judges the evaluation (grading) of each student, and the unit is recognized based on this. FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration relating to determination of grades and management of units in the system 10. The center server 12 includes a data totaling unit 53, a grade evaluation support unit 54, a grade registration unit 55, and a unit. Management unit 56 and authentication unit
35, assignment database 40, attendance history database 37
And the statement database 39 and the subject management database 38
, A grades database 57, a unit database 58, a student database 41, and an instructor database 42. The data aggregation unit 53, the result evaluation support unit 54, the result registration unit 55, and the unit management unit 56 are realized by the CPU of the computer constituting the center server 12 executing necessary processing according to the OS and the dedicated program. You.
In addition, the results database 57 and the unit database 58
It is stored in the hard disk of the computer.

The processing procedure at the time of grade evaluation and credit recognition will be described below with reference to the flowchart of FIG. First, when the instructor judges the student's grade, he accesses the website of the center server 12 from his / her own personal computer 17 via the Internet 19 or the school LAN, and selects the service menu displayed on the personal computer screen. Select "Judgment". From the center server 12 receiving this (S30), the Web requesting the input of the instructor's ID and password
The page is transmitted (S31). In response, the instructor
When the ID and the password are input and transmitted, the authentication unit 35 receiving the ID (S32) collates the input password with the password registered in the instructor database 42 to determine the validity (S33). . Here, if the instructor is authenticated, the grade evaluation support unit 54 refers to the subject management database 38 and transmits a list of all courses in charge of the instructor to the instruction personal computer 17 (S34).

When the instructor clicks on a specific course name from the list displayed on the personal computer screen, the grade evaluation support unit 54 receiving the name (S35) receives the data of all students taking the course. It is extracted from the subject management database 38 (S36). Further, the data tabulation unit 53 extracts data serving as evaluation criteria for each student from each database (S3).
7). That is, information on the assignments of each student (e.g., whether or not there is an answer, evaluation score, etc.) is provided from the assignment database 40, and the attendance history of on-demand lectures or live lectures (corresponding to attendance points) is provided from the attendance history database 37. From 39, information relating to the comments on the electronic bulletin board (the number of comments, evaluation points, etc.) is extracted.

The reference data extracted by the data tabulation unit 53 is compiled into an evaluation reference list by the performance evaluation support unit 54 and transmitted to the instructor's personal computer 17 (S38). As a result, the instructor's personal computer screen displays a list of the student's name, the number of attendances, the number of answers to the assignments, the total score of the answers, the number of comments on the electronic bulletin board, and the total score of the comments. Will be done. The instructor gives the grade of each student while referring to these reference data. For example, an evaluation value such as “A”, “B”, “C”, or “D” is entered for each student in the grade determination column in the above list, and transmitted to the center server 12. In the center server 12 receiving this (S39), the grade registering unit 55 starts up, and associates the evaluation value with the ID of each student and records the grade database 57
(S40).

When the grades of each student are registered in the grades database 57, credits are recognized by the credit management unit 56, and the results are registered in the credits database 58 (S
41). For example, while the students whose evaluation values are "A" to "C" are given units, the students whose evaluation values are "D" are not given units. The unit management unit 56 not only certifies units based on the evaluation value of the grade but also performs a graduation determination function of each student. That is, the number of acquired credits is managed for each student, and when the number of credits reaches a specified number, the student is determined to be "graduation" and registered in the credit database 58.

Since the record in the unit database 58 is held semi-permanently, the student can inquire of the center server 12 at any time about the fact of his / her unit acquisition or graduation. For example, if a student is required to earn credits in a particular academic area to qualify for a national exam, the student can access the Internet
Access the Web site of the center server 12 via, and select "Proof of acquisition unit" from the service menu.
The center server 12 receiving this will send the student ID
And a web page asking for a password is sent. On the other hand, when the student inputs and transmits his or her ID and password, the password input by the authentication unit 35 is compared with the password registered in the student database 41. Here, when the validity of the student is authenticated, the unit management unit 56 refers to the unit database 58 and generates a transcript of the student in a predetermined file format (for example, PDF format). The transcript data is attached to an e-mail and transmitted to the student's e-mail address. The student may output the transcript data from the printer 59 connected to the personal computer 18 and submit it to the administrator of the national examination. Alternatively, the transcript data can be directly transmitted to the administrator of the national examination by the unit management unit 56 that has received the request of the student.

[0053]

According to the distance education system of the present invention, the distribution period of the lecture package is set in advance in the subject management information storage means, and the distribution of the lecture package can be received only during the period. Did
Each student will be unable to take the course at a later time,
It can be expected that they will receive distance education as planned with moderate tension. In addition, a period is set for the period that can be written to the electronic bulletin board related to the lecture,
Each student is forced to intensively discuss a common theme within a limited period, and it can be expected that the discussion will naturally intensify. In addition, due to the existence of the above-mentioned time limit, the curriculum will proceed according to schedule, so that educational institutes operating distance learning systems and instructors in charge of lectures will be able to streamline office work and educational guidance. There are advantages.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an overall image of a distance education system according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a main functional configuration of the distance learning system.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure when a student attends the distance education system.

FIG. 4 is a layout diagram illustrating an example of a schedule table.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a data item in a comment database.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a schedule relationship between on-demand attendance and discussion using a bulletin board.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of data items in a subject management database.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing a schedule relationship between a live lecture and an on-demand lecture.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration at the time of grade evaluation in the distance learning system.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure at the time of grade evaluation in the distance education system.

[Explanation of symbols]

 10 Distance education system 12 Center server 13 Classroom 14 Live lecture distribution processing server 15 Satellite classroom 16 Live lecture reception processing server 17 PC for instruction 18 PC for attendance 19 Internet 30 Live lecture distribution section 31 Lecture package distribution section 32 Course management section 33 Electronic Bulletin board processing unit 34 Assignment processing unit 35 Authentication unit 36 Lecture package database 37 Attendance history database 38 Subject management database 39 Statement database 40 Assignment database 41 Student database 42 Instructor database 43 Lecture schedule table 53 Data tallying unit 54 Grade evaluation support unit 55 Grades Registration department 56 Credit management department 57 Grade database 58 Credit database

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. A lecture package storage means for storing, for each lecture, a lecture package edited on the basis of video and audio data containing a pattern of the lecture, and a lecture schedule, each lecture for each subject. A course management information storage unit for recording a period during which a lecture package can be distributed and a period during which an electronic bulletin board associated with each lecture can be written; and a method for controlling a specific course from a student terminal via a communication network. If there is an output requesting the display of the schedule, the schedule management information storage means is referred to, and a schedule table showing a lecture package which can be distributed online at the present time and an electronic bulletin board which can be written at the present time is generated. Means for sending to the student's terminal, and distribution of the lecture package indicated as being available for online distribution in the above schedule table from the student's terminal Means for extracting the relevant lecture package from the lecture package storage means when there is a requested output and distributing the lecture package to the student terminal; and for writing the schedule table from the student terminal to the schedule table. Means for transmitting to the student terminal an input form permitting writing to the bulletin board when there is an output requesting writing to the indicated electronic bulletin board; Means for storing the comment message in the bulletin board information storage means in association with the student when the comment message is transmitted using the input form. 2. The remote control system according to claim 1, further comprising means for recording information indicating that the lecture package has been delivered to the attendance history storage means when the delivery of the lecture package to the student terminal is completed. Education system. 3. When a request to view a message on an electronic bulletin board associated with a specific lecture is output from a terminal of an instructor in charge of each subject via a communication network, the message is read from the bulletin board information storage means. Means for extracting a message and transmitting the message to the terminal of the instructor; and, when the evaluation point information for a specific message is output from the terminal of the instructor, the evaluation point is associated with the message and the evaluation point storage means. The remote education system according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising: 4. When an instructor in charge of each subject outputs a reference request for an evaluation score for the said comment message of each student taking the subject via a communication network, said evaluation point storage. 4. The distance education system according to claim 3, further comprising means for searching for a means, calculating a total value of evaluation points for each student, and transmitting the calculated value to a terminal of the instructor. 5. The subject management information storage means records the presence / absence of a subject for each lecture, the content of the subject, and the period during which the subject can be submitted. The schedule for a specific subject is provided from a student terminal via a communication network. When there is an output requesting the display of the subject, by referring to the subject management information storage unit, a schedule table indicating the assignments that can be submitted at the present time is generated and transmitted to the student terminal; Means for transmitting information on the subject to the student's terminal when there is an output from the student's terminal requesting transmission of the subject indicated as being able to be submitted in the above schedule table; And means for storing the answer data in the task storage means when the answer data for the task is transmitted from the terminal. Education system. 6. When a request for viewing each student's answer data is output from a terminal of an instructor in charge of each subject via a communication network, the corresponding answer data is extracted from the assignment storage means, and Means for transmitting to the terminal, and means for, when evaluation point information for each response data is output from the terminal of the instructor, storing the evaluation points in the evaluation point storage means in association with the response data. The distance education system according to claim 5, further comprising: 7. When an instructor terminal in charge of each subject outputs, via a communication network, a reference request for evaluation points for the answer data of each student taking the subject, the evaluation point storage. 7. The distance education system according to claim 6, further comprising means for searching for a means, calculating a total value of evaluation points for each student, and transmitting the calculated value to a terminal of the instructor. 8. The subject management information storage means stores the presence / absence of live distribution and the date and time for each lecture, and requests a student terminal to display a schedule for a specific subject via a communication network. When there is an output to perform, a schedule table indicating the scheduled date and time of the live distribution is generated by referring to the subject management information storage unit, and transmitted to the student terminal. Means for delivering, in real time, video and audio data recording the pattern of the lecture to the student's terminal when there is an output requesting live distribution of the lecture from the student's terminal; If there is an output requesting writing to the electronic bulletin board associated with the live lecture from
Means for transmitting to the student terminal an input form permitting writing to the relevant bulletin board; and when the message is transmitted from the student terminal using the input form, a live lecture of the comment message is provided. The remote education system according to any one of claims 1 to 7, further comprising: means for transmitting the information in real time to a terminal in a classroom where the instruction is performed. 9. The system according to claim 8, further comprising means for recording information indicating completion of the lecture in a lecture history storage unit when distribution of data relating to the live lecture to the student terminal is completed. The distance education system described.