Audio and Video Streaming in Online Learning

Online Learning Systems provide educational and training services at anytime, in any location, and often when the resources would not otherwise be available. Major technologies that have been responsible for the growth of online learning include advances in PC technologies, improved connectivity, better bandwidth capabilities of the Web, video conferencing, and the streaming of audio and video. Audio and video streaming technology will play a key role in most online learning programs of the future. In the past, audio and video files were directly accessed from the Web servers and were subjected to larger wait time for a user browsing the Web. Today, live videos can be displayed without wait time using streaming technology. The two major players in media streaming technology are Microsoft and Real Networks. Both provide the media servers, content development tools, and streaming media players. Version 4.0 of Windows Media Technologies contains a rich suite of products and features that you can use to create, deliver, and play streaming media for applications ranging from news and entertainment to e-commerce, corporate communications, and distance learning. Windows Media On-Demand Producer, a component of the Windows Media Tools, simplifies the creation of streaming media content. Once your streaming media content is created, you can publish it on a media server using Windows Media On-Demand Producer. Similarly, RealProducer, an integral part of the RealNetworks RealSystem 8, creates streaming media from audio and video. The media clips can be published on a RealServer using RealProducer.