Web-based Models: Current and Coming Trends

A web-based discussion using HTML format messaging allows email messages to contain live hyperlinks and images, potentially allowing inclusion of videoclips, soundfiles and animation sequences.

A number of web conferencing programs offer "co-browsing." Co-browsing is an IRC chat window overlaid on a web browser allowing groups to browse the web together regardless of their physical location and exchange written comments as they browse. The instructional potential of co-browsers is enormous.

Already being beta-tested are 3-dimensional environments where you control an animated figure (avatar) that can walk around a 3-D environment and initiate text-based conversation with other figures, and eventually verbal conversation. Such virtual reality environments have vast potential. The technology exists to take a person's true image and create a video figure whose motions can be controlled; potentially indistinguishable from the genuine person.

Activity 2 for this lesson includes exploration of several different web conferencing software environments. You will need to register for these systems by following the online instructions and should remember the ID and password you give yourself for when you return to these conferencing sites. Explore the available features of each system for comparison as to the overall functionality and ease-of-use. Pay attention to your personal reaction to the "look and feel" as well as the range of features available for each interactive environment.