The Research in Presentation Production for Learning Electronically (RIPPLES) project is developing, deploying and assessing multimedia learning technologies and investigating how to use these technologies to support effective teaching and learning inside and outside the classroom. RIPPLES is also evaluating the application of multimedia technologies to collaborative work and outreach to learning and other communities.

RIPPLES Research

Our current research on learning technologies is addressing the following:
• automatic capture of classroom activities from multiple media streams (e.g., screen captures, cameras, microphones, other sensors) and collaboration systems (e.g., H.323, ConferenceXP, etc.)
• produce navigable classroom records for later study and review
• distribute materials in real time to enable active, constructivist learning
• extend the RIPPLES MANIC technologies to create a constructivist learning environment by adding tools for extended search, collaboration, and notation
• investigate new technologies for asynchronous multimedia delivery, including Java, SMIL, and other technologies

RIPPLES Applications

Our traditional focus on asynchronous learning environments for distance learning, in which students proceed at their own pace and are not assumed to be accessing the same material at the same time, has produced courseware for over 30 courses. Students can access lectures as digital audio or video, synchronized with slides, overheads or other materials.

RIPPLES delivers lectures using several related technologies, employing PERL or PHP and MySQL on the server side, a separate Real server for the digital media, a front end interface written in HTML and JavaScript, and audio/video browser plugins in standard browsers on the client side. For CD-ROM (and DVD) delivery RIPPLES uses a custom browser packaged with the materials on disc.

We currently have several courses available on-line, all of which can be accessed freely! They range from full-credit graduate level courses in Computer Networks (over 25 hours of audio and slides) and Operating Systems to short courses on Socket programming and Art History (5-6 hours).

Recently, we have applied MANIC technologies to support outreach for several University programs: the Engineering Research Center for Collaborative Adaptive Sensing of the Atmosphere (CASA); the Sustainable Forests Seminar Series; and the Five-College Speaker Series on Information Assurance.

Please take a look, and give us your feedback.

Would you like to use RIPPLES technology for your course? Or integrate any of the available courses as part of your curriculum? Contact us - we would be happy to help!

RIPPLES is powered by MANIC.
(Multimedia Asynchronous Networked Individualized Courseware)

RIPPLES is made possible by a grant from NSF. (National Science Foundation)

Ripples News

RIPPLES presented "Using Multimedia to Support Research, Education and Outreach in an NSF Engineering Research Center" (slides) and "Assessing Supplemental Courseware in an IT Fluency Course" (slides) at the IEEE Frontiers in Education conference in Indianapolis, Indiana October 18-21, 2005.