Faculty Directions, Fall 2003 - Cutting Edge Technology is Geared for Distance Learning

Over the past year, ETS has pilot tested a couple of distance-learning services. These cutting edge technologies are geared specifically for delivering high-quality multimedia content over the Internet. Macromedia Breeze suite and Macromedia Flash Communication Server MX are two technologies based on the Macromedia Flash technology. Breeze creates asynchronous eLearning presentations that are available on-demand to a worldwide audience. Breeze Presentation combines common business tools like Microsoft PowerPoint with Macromedia Flash, and the web in a single, fully integrated solution. Breeze Presentation is a simple wizard that installs into PowerPoint, and enables educators of any skill level to convert and deliver rich multimedia presentations-without learning specialized software or paying for expensive technical experts.

Macromedia Flash Communication Server is a tool that makes it easy to deliver synchronous presentations with live, compelling, interactive audio and video applications that include multi-way audio, video, and real-time data, all passed through Macromedia Flash Player.

The strength of these services centers on their roots, both programs are based on the Macromedia Flash technology, specifically in the delivery of the content utilizing the Macromedia Flash Player plug-in. The only requirement for play back is the Macromedia Flash plug-in, a small compact plug-in available for multiple platforms and operating systems. The Flash plug-in has the benefit of being about 500K and enabling full multimedia technologies, whereas other media players are much larger and offer much less functionality (Adobe Acrobat 21MB, Apple QuickTime 19MB, Real One 6MB, and Windows Media 5MB). The other primary benefit is that almost all online users already have the Macromedia Flash Player installed, 98% (Adobe Acrobat 76%, Apple QuickTime 37%, Real One 52%, and Windows Media 63%) of online Internet users.