A Proposal for Building Remote Class Environment and Support System by “Low-Cost Computing”

  • Ttitle : A Proposal for Building Remote Class Environment and Support System by “Low-Cost Computing”
  • Author : Kazuya Murata
  • Affiliation : Tokyo Online University, Japan
  • Journal : International Journal of Applied Informatics and Media Design
  • Volume : Vol.1
  • ISSN : 2436-8814
  • ISBN : 978-4-908181-47-4
  • Pages : pp.45-50
  • Date : March 2019
  • Keywords : Remote Class, Simultaneous Interactive, Low-Cost Computing

Abstract : Today, with the spread of computers and networks, various media utilizing the network are evolving. Among them, “remote class”, which universities offer by utilizing the media, has been drawing much attention in recent years. When universities or other institutions intend to offer remote classes, there are two different methods. One is a “simultaneous interactive” class offered by using dedicated hardware. The other is “on-demand” class offered by using the network. For on-demand classes, large- scale, dedicated equipment is required. For this reason, they are being offered by some universities where facilities for such equipment are available. On the other hand, for most universities, it is quite difficult to offer on-demand remote classes due to the lack of such facilities. Therefore, the “simultaneous interactive” method is employed by most universities when they offer online classes. In the past, simultaneous interactive classes were delivered using dedicated hardware. This is because a stable communication environment had to be ensured at all times. However, with the remarkable progress in computer development in recent years, it has become easy for anyone to secure a stable communication environment. Therefore, in this research, we seek to build an environment which delivers “simultaneous interactive” remote class at the lowest cost possible without using the dedicated hardware, but by using free or low-cost software. In this way, here we define “Low-cost Computing” as a method to build a “system that demonstrates high performance at an extremely low cost by combining existing systems”. This research especially focuses on the field of “remote class” and aims at building a remote class environment which is inexpensive and can be used by anyone.