STEPS: Supporting Traditional Education ProcedureS-A TCP/IP Multimedia Networks-Based Model

This paper describes an integrated model for the realization of an Open and Distance Learning (ODL)
environment supporting traditional learning procedures, through collaborative learning and active participation
of the involved group of students. Internet technologies are used as a vehicle for distribution of interactive multimedia
at the user’s desktop. We also present off-the-shelf solutions for the architecture and implementation of
an Educational Network necessary to support the ODL environment. An Educational Entity (specially shaped
part of a legal educational authority) is also prescribed as the central point for the Educational Network, being
the content provider and the learning procedure evaluator. It is mainly intended to be used in a higher education
setting, aspiring to be an efficient solution for the common educational needs of a group of students and teachers or
researchers.