An Independent Knowledgebase Supporting the Integration of Audio-Visual/Data Technologies in Distance Learning

This paper presents the project AVD-Merge: An Educational Network Infrastructure for Dissemination of Real Time Audio-Visual/Data for Higher Education in the Natural Sciences, funded by the European Union under the Socrates-Minerva action (2004-06). AVD-Merge is developing a knowledge base of organized expert and collective end-user knowledge on best practices, technical advice, and pedagogical frameworks, on the effective integration of Audio-Visual and Data (AVD) technologies in teaching. This paper first outlines current AVD technologies and the challenges in integrating them in educational environments. It provides a description of the AVD-Merge project outputs and their contribution, and an overview of the underlying system architecture.