Interactive remote instruction: Lessons learned

This paper describes experiences with the use of the interactive remote instruction (IRI) system which was used to teach a computer science graduate course at Old Dominion University during the Fall 1995 semester. Through the use of high-speed networks and high performance workstations, IRI creates a virtual classroom so that geographically dispersed students can fully participate in a class. Central to this system is the availability of a personal workstation to each student through which the class is taken. Placing a workstation at each student's disposal opens the opportunity for student interaction and group collaboration. We compare this approach with other educational settings and describe lessons learned from instructor, student and technical perspectives. We also describe changes we are putting in place for an expanded usage in the coming fall semester using fiberoptic cable supporting a WAN internet protocol. (C) 1996 Academic Press Limited.