Called the Interactive Learning Connection Pilot Project, it represents the beginnings of a virtual university concept. Teachers and students are distributed geographically and interact asynchronously. The students receive approximately one module per week through the term and submit regular assignments to the course professors via e-mail. The students are also able to ask questions of professors or fellow students using e-mail. The course modules have been developed by small teams of professors from the six participating universities.
Students can edit the material for use in assignments.
The pilot is part way through its first offering. The first report will be presented in early 1996. Later evaluations will examine cost-effectiveness issues. Issues of multimedia databases, network performance, and effective browsing will be studied. There are several ATM networks in Canada that are available for trials, and operational networks are being planned.