The structuring of a synchronized multimedia system for Web-based distance education

We have developed a Web based multimedia educational system, which has been designed to provide support for both synchronous and asynchronous distance learning activities. On the one hand, the system provides students with asynchronous educational material under the different form of HTML slides, digital audio/video lectures, software packages and simulating instruments for laboratory activities. On the other hand, the system allows users (i.e., students and educators) to establish synchronous communications through real-time audio connections. In this paper we report on how we have exploited adaptive techniques, markup languages and networked multimedia technologies for the structuring of a system able to provide each different user with a customized educational support.