Easy Implementation of Web-based Multimedia Courses: Using Synchronized Video Content in Distance Education

The article presents the possibility to use new technologies in order to obtain web-based multimedia courses in a short time and with a small investment. The model uses Microsoft Windows Media digital video synchronized with different other types of content: hypertext, pictures, other video or audio sequences, simulations and user?interactivity. The student can jump directly to specific sections or topics of the course by using each course's table of contents. The video stream contains special synchronizing instructions that enable the system to change the HTML content presented during the video playback. Other instructions contain the translation in different languages of the video, allowing closed captioning of the video for the students of foreign language. Compatibility and portability is guaranteed by the use of standard HTML for non-video content. One of the main advantages of the model is the small investment in equipment and know-how, the easy of use as well as the possibility for a fast translation to a CD format of the multimedia course. It presents the work that has been done by the authors in evaluating and implementing such a system, as well as implementation, features, usability and advantages of the model and some implementation details.