Remote lectures and online laboratory experiments through CIC Networks

Abstract

Wired Internet connectivity in North Eastern part of India is very limited primarily due to inaccessible terrains and lesser economic development in comparison to the other parts of India. Addressing this issue, the government of India set up satellite-based Internet connectivity in specified places, to groups of villages so as to provide information and communication technologies at the community level. Such centers are called Community Information Centers (CICs). Every CIC is provided with a local area network, a low bandwidth VSAT link, basic infrastructure and necessary personnel. The CIC project was implemented in the North Eastern states of India and there are more than 450 CICs across this region. One use of this facility could be remote learning. To develop a scheme with remotely administered lectures and online laboratory, some tests of virtual labs were conducted. For such low bit rate connectivity, it is found that only a frame-by-frame video is feasible. While designing an online course, these issues are to be taken in to consideration.

Biography

Anup Kumar Gogoi, Professor
Electrical and Computer Engineering, Indian Institute Technology
Guwahati, Assam, India.
Email: akg@iitg.ernet.in

Anup Kumar Gogoi is a Professor in the Electrical and Computer Engineering Department at the Indian Institute Technology, Guwahati, Assam, India. He received his Bachelor of Engg degree (in EE) from the Assam Engineering College. His Master of Technology degree (in EE) is from the Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur, India. His PhD degree in electrical engineering is also from IIT, Kanpur. His research areas of interest are: E-governance and E-learning. He has been heavily involved with R&D work related to the Community Internet Centers in northeastern India, as well as implementation of remote learning opportunities.

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